Is Miami back? Too soon to say, but they are sitting near the top of the AP Poll. Four wins out of four. Tough games against Notre Dame and Florida, and Mario Cristobal’s side sailed through. A stark difference from how their last year panned out. Of course, the key thing to highlight is that they’re doing this without Cam Ward. Carson Beck came in and is looking like his 2023 version. But is he the only reason?

Well, the story of the second half of Miami’s 2024 season could have been summed up in just a few words. Cam Ward, please save us. And he did, but too often, the QB was put in a position by the defense that he had to be the savior. Ultimately, the Canes missed the playoffs. That’s not the case this year. The defense is showing out. Even in games like Florida, where the offense couldn’t find its rhythm or Beck threw an interception that could have changed the game, the defense didn’t let the game drift. But how did Miami improve its defensive woes from last season this quickly? Analysts Steve Muench and Todd McShay believe a certain man is to be accredited.

Speaking on The McShay Show, the analysts attributed Miami’s defensive glory to their new defensive coordinator, Corey Hetherman. Corey joined the Canes earlier this season, along with Carson Beck. As per McShay, he “is the real deal, and the perfect fit at Miami.” Ever since Hetherman joined Miami, they have looked solid on their defensive end.

“When you grow up in like Western Mass and you coach over in Europe and you grind it out at JMU and Old Dominion and Maine in Minnesota, and you bring a level of discipline, but with that discipline freeing up these Miami athletes and top-tier, four and five-star guys to play free, to play with juice, and to play violently,” added McShay.

Hetherman departed Minnesota to replace Lance Guidry. His stint there was nothing short of impressive. Under him, Minnesota finished in the top five in total defense and in the top ten in scoring defense. His appointment was considered a risk because of his lack of experience as a defensive coordinator. To add to that, he was earning around $2.4 million and had a buyout clause of $600K. But it’s safe to say that the money was well spent, working out in Miami’s favor.

Unlike last year, when the defense failed to hold its end late in games, the 2025 Canes are a different breed. It doesn’t matter if it’s Notre Dame on the other side with a chance to tie the game. Miami’s defense made CJ Carr look clueless for the last minute of the 4th quarter. Result? A 27-24 victory. A similar thing happened to Florida last week. DJ Lagway just couldn’t get going. “It’s really their ability to impose their will late in games. And it’s really Hetherman’s defense. And that to me is why this Miami is different,” McShay said.

Defensive woes are not a problem for Mario Cristobal’s side anymore

After Hetherman joined Miami, their defensive problems seem to have gone away. The Hurricanes are holding opponents to just 244.5 yards per game, ranking 15th nationally and first in the ACC. Moreover, they are allowing only 76.3 rushing yards per game, which ranks 13th in the nation and leads the conference. Impressive, but this wasn’t always the case for the Canes.

Last season, Miami suffered because of its defensive output. The defense collapsed toward the end of the season, giving up at least 38 points and 500 yards in the last two games of the season against Iowa and Syracuse. Ultimately, they failed despite having every ingredient for success. “They had the number one overall pick at quarterback last year. They had all the weapons, receivers for days, running backs, and they had a good offensive line,” said McShay while reminiscing about Miami’s performance last season.

Well, Mario Cristobal will be looking to leave that in the past. Recruiting Carson Beck and Corey Hetherman could become the reason for Miami’s success this season. Cristobal would be shifting his focus to the game against Florida State. A win at the Doak Campbell will be monumental for the Canes.