Miami Hurricanes Hire Avalos as Defensive Coordinator

In a move that is expected to bring a new level of enthusiasm and expertise to the defensive side of the ball, the Miami Hurricanes have officially announced the hiring of Andy Avalos as their new defensive coordinator. Avalos, who has spent the past two seasons as the defensive coordinator at TCU, replaces Lance Guidry, who left the program earlier this month to pursue other opportunities.

Avalos, 44, has a reputation as one of the top defensive minds in the country, and his hiring is seen as a major coup for the Hurricanes. In his time at TCU, Avalos helped the Horned Frogs develop into a top-10 defense, leading the unit to several impressive performances, including a shutout of Oklahoma State and a dominant effort against Ohio State in the Big 12 Championship Game.

Avalos’ hiring is seen as a major upgrade for Miami, which struggled on defense in 2022, ranking 82nd nationally in total defense and 77th in scoring defense. The Hurricanes’ defense was also plagued by inconsistency, allowing 30 or more points in four of their final five games.

“I am thrilled to welcome Andy Avalos to our staff,” Miami head coach Mario Cristobal said in a statement. “Andy is one of the most respected defensive minds in the country, and his track record speaks for itself. He has a proven ability to develop young players and lead a defense to success, and I am excited to see him get to work with our talented group of defenders.”

Avalos’ arrival is seen as a key addition to Cristobal’s staff, which has undergone significant changes in recent weeks. In addition to Avalos, Cristobal also hired former LSU defensive line coach Jeff Padgett and former Indiana defensive coordinator Kane Wommack as assistants.

For Avalos, the move to Miami represents a new challenge and an opportunity to take his career to the next level. A native of California, Avalos has spent most of his career on the West Coast, coaching at Boise State and TCU. However, he is no stranger to the ACC, having served as an analyst for ESPN during the 2020 season.

“I am honored to join the Miami Hurricanes family,” Avalos said in a statement. “I am excited to work with Coach Cristobal and our entire staff to build a dominant defense that will help our team compete for championships. I am looking forward to getting started and working with our talented group of players.”

Avalos will inherit a defensive unit that returns several key contributors from last season, including defensive end Chiko Carter and linebacker Corey Flanagan. However, he will also have to replace several key departures, including linebacker Jamal Carter and safety Bubba Bolden.

Overall, Avalos’ hiring is seen as a major boost for Miami’s defense, which is expected to be a key area of focus for Cristobal and his staff in the coming weeks. With Avalos at the helm, the Hurricanes are expected to be one of the top defensive units in the ACC next season.