Miami Running Backs Coach Kevin Smith Departing To Ole Miss

Coach Smith Rejoining Lane Kiffin's Staff Back Up in Oxford

While today's news in Coral Gables has been filled with the hiring of new offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson from Houston and linebacker coach Derek Nicholson from Cincinnati, along with all of that came a departure.

Chris Low of EPSN reports that Miami running backs coach Kevin Smith is finalizing a deal to rejoin Lane Kiffin's staff at Ole Miss to be their running backs coach. A Miami native, Smith will return to have a second stint with the Rebels.

Kevin Smith is finalizing a deal to reunite with @Lane_Kiffin at @OleMissFB as RB coach, sources tell ESPN. It’s been an exodus from the @CanesFootball staff this offseason. Smith was with Kiffin at FAU and then went with him to Ole Miss and helped recruit Quinshon Judkins.

— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) February 14, 2023

Smith joined the staff in Miami last offseason after spending two seasons in Oxford with Kiffin, where he was the coordinator of the SEC's leading rushing attack in 2020 with 210.6 rushing yards per game. 

Previously Smith saw major success at Florida Atlantic University, where he helped now Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary have a historic season under his guidance.

Now with the the departure of Smith, Dawson will now have to fill two voids at his positional coaches. This should only help the chemistry of the new offensive group going forward in Coral Gables.

Smith's departure marks the fifth coaching change to the Canes coaching staff this offseason, with Kevin Steele, Josh Gattis, Charlie Strong, Frank Ponce and Smith all moving on. With Dawson filling in as OC and quarterbacks coach and Nicholson taking over the LB room today, wide receiver and running backs coaches remain vacant.

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