Miami fires DC Lance Guidry after late-season defensive woes

Miami fired defensive coordinator Lance Guidry on Tuesday after late-season defensive woes effectively cost the Hurricanes a chance to play for a conference championship.

Guidry spent two seasons on the Miami staff after arriving from Marshall. While Miami showed growth in the early part of the season, the Hurricanes regressed in the final month, including a 42-38 loss to Syracuse in the regular-season finale with an ACC championship game berth on the line.

Miami blew a 21-0 lead and finished the regular season with losses in two of its final three games and failed to advance to Charlotte to play for the conference title. Miami finished two spots outside the final CFP spot.

Then, in a 42-41 Pop-Tarts Bowl loss to Iowa State, Miami blew a 10-point third-quarter lead — allowing the Cyclones to score the go-ahead touchdown with 56 seconds remaining.

In a statement, coach Mario Cristobal said, “In a continuous effort to always improve all aspects of our program, I have decided to make a change on defense. We will move forward and make decisions that provide our players, staff and program the best opportunity to win and develop at the highest level.”