Popular Miami assistant expected to go to Alabama, OC turns down offer and Canes add game

Susan Miller Degnan
·2 min read
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As the assistant coaching carousel spins, the Miami Hurricanes will reportedly lose one assistant and have been turned down by another who was offered the offensive coordinator’s job.

Popular University of Miami defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson is expected to leave the Hurricanes after only one season, and Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles has turned down Mario Cristobal’s offer to be the UM offensive coordinator, according to multiple reports.

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Robinson, a Miami native who graduated from Coral Park High before playing for Auburn, is expected to leave the Hurricanes to coach the secondary for the Alabama Crimson Tide, per 247Sports and The Athletic, which said he will coach cornerbacks.

Also, Arkansas offensive coordinator Kendal Briles, who was offered the same position with Miami (which lost former OC Rhett Lashlee to SMU as its new head coach), turned down the Canes, reported by ESPN Thursday morning and previously by @JacobScottDavis, who covers Arkansas for SB Nation.

Robinson, known as a strong recruiter, had spent the previous five seasons before UM as defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at South Carolina.

UM has already named its new offensive line coach, receivers coach, running backs coach, defensive line coach and strength coach. In addition to the offensive coordinator, it has yet to name its new defensive coordinator. Depending on who is chosen for various jobs, assistants to coach quarterbacks, linebackers and defensive backs are still in question.

Game added

UM reported Thursday that the Canes will face Central Michigan on Sept. 26, 2026 at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami last played Central Michigan in 2019, defeating the Chippewas 17-12 at Hard Rock.

The Hurricanes also have nonconference games that season, according to FBSSchedules, on Sept. 12 against Florida A&M, Sept. 19 against BYU at Hard Rock and at the South Carolina Gamecocks at a date to be determined.