The Nix Is Out At Miami

Like many teams in the ACC, Miami was viewed in August as a potential darkhorse for the conference championship, considering the decentralization of power that has been going on for the past couple of seasons. Like many teams in the ACC, it looked as if Miami was actually in the driver's seat to make good on that prediction during the midway point of the season.

And like a handful of other teams in the ACC, Miami ended its 2008 losing in close fashion to an otherwise underwhelming opponent in an otherwise underwhelming bowl game. So, like at least Virginia (and possibly more teams in the ACC), the offensive coordinator was shown the door in Coral Gables.

It's tough to say whether Patrick Nix (previously a candidate for the HC gig at his alma mater Auburn) is completely to blame for Miami's underwhelming offensive performance- not only did he have to juggle the injured and inconsistent likes of 2009 starter Jacory Harris and possible transfer Robert Marve, but from what we're hearing, he was at loggerheads with the man in charge about what sort of schemes he wanted to implement.


Nix was in favor of a more freewheeling, no-huddle approach, much to the chagrin of his no-bull, straitlaced superior (Auburn wasn't tired of that...huh?), who might just find himself looking for new work soon. Besides the fact that five Emerald Bowl suspensions could be an indication that Shannon might not even be keeping Miami's proverbial nose clean (his rep as a disciplinarian played a big role in his hire), in the past three seasons, the Canes have trips to Boise, San Francisco and their couches to show for their efforts. I suppose the continued success of Virginia Tech and Boston College are proof that maybe a mind-numbingly dull offensive gameplan is what works in the ACC, but it kinda seems counterintuitive for Miami to go that route considering their enormous advantage in terms of recruiting the best athletes in the country.