The Hurricanes are losing a second assistant coach to the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals.
Defensive backs coach Zac Etheridge is reportedly set to become the NFL team’s cornerback coach, according to a report from CBS Sports.
Etheridge joins running backs coach Matt Merritt, who left UM to take the same position with the Cardinals. Etheridge is the third assistant coach to leave Miami’s staff this offseason, along with Merritt and former tight ends coach Cody Woodiel (who left for Ole Miss).
Etheridge spent one season with the Hurricanes, joining Corey Hetherman’s first defensive staff at Miami. He previously coached at Houston and Auburn, among other programs.
In one season with Etheridge on staff, the Hurricanes’ passing defense performed well. Miami ranked 43rd in the nation with 204.6 passing yards allowed per game, which was an improvement from 2024 (when UM allowed 214.4 passing yards per game and was 57th nationally).
Etheridge helped a large group of new cornerbacks mesh with Miami’s defense, and transfers like Keionte Scott, Xavier Lucas and Ethan O’Connor performed well.