Miami adding Rhett Lashlee as offensive coordinator

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) — Rhett Lashlee has been hired as Miami’s offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, immediately tasked with turning around the Hurricanes’ offense after a lackluster 6-7 season.

Miami announced the move, which will be completed once Lashlee completes a background check, on Saturday. Lashlee is joining the Hurricanes after two seasons of running a high-tempo offense at SMU, helping the Mustangs average 42.1 points per game this season — seventh-best out of the 130 teams at the FBS level.

Miami averaged 25.7 points, 90th in the country.

“Rhett has directed some of the most innovative offenses in college football in recent years — offenses that attack quickly, creatively and efficiently,” Miami coach Manny Diaz said. “We are excited to see how Rhett will look to spread the ball around and utilize our athletes on the offensive side of the ball.”

It’s a significant hire for Diaz. Lashlee is a past finalist for the Broyles Award, presented to the top assistant in college football, and was one of 15 semifinalists for the award this season. He’s been an offensive coordinator at SMU, Connecticut, Auburn, Arkansas State and Samford.

He helped Auburn win the 2013 SEC Championship, earn a BCS Championship berth and then a trip to the 2016 Sugar Bowl.

At Miami, he replaces Dan Enos. Miami fired Enos after just one season, after the Hurricanes were 98th nationally in total offense, 121st in rushing and 129th — again, out of 130 teams — in third-down conversions.