Let’s face it, if recruits tell you they remember “vividly” watching the days when the University of Miami would boss-and-bully teams around, they’re probably lying. The math doesn’t add up. The most-recent team that fits that mold was present when the current juniors and seniors in high school weren’t even out of diapers yet and the freshmen and sophomores were merely infants. It would be quite the breakthrough in cognitive science and development if they did remember the days of Sean Taylor, Willis McGahee, Ken Dorsey, et al and you can forget about them recalling the days of Ray Lewis and Warren Sapp, because they weren’t even born. Their frame of reference is virtually null.

But to listen to the most-adamment of ‘Canes fans and alumni talk, and you’d swear they’ve won more national titles than Alabama and more conferences championships than Florida State during this stretch hat has seen them grossly underperform in the conference and national landscape. At least their “Canes Swagger” hasn’t left them–even though their chances at rings has.

The ‘Canes hired one of their own in Mark Richt last season after Al Golden’s tenure was nothing short of train wreck. When you fall behind in recruiting in this state, striking out in one cycle can be the equivalent to missing out on two or three in other states. It can be devastating. Although Miami has won their fair share of battles in recent years, for whatever the reason, the results just aren’t there on the field.

We’ve all heard the “reasons” why Miami has fallen off its perch as kings of the gridiron. Many of the reasons are valid. The ‘Canes played in one of the most indelible icons (the Orange Bowl) in America during their days of destruction upon the college football landscape helping them to establish a rock-solid identity. Now, they play in SunLife Stadium that sounds like a morgue during most home games and can be an hour-plus drive with the “delightful” south Florida traffic from Coral Gables to Miami Gardens.

We’ve heard that coaching changes and the lack of facilities have something to do with it as well, which is valid. Kids these days want relationships and loyalty from their coaches, not necessarily the school and when you are the most-expensive private school in the state and have one of the toughest academic standards in the country, things can get complicated if you aren’t willing to make the kind of investment it takes.

Can they do it? Can they start to tip the balance of power away from Tallahassee and be the ones to emerge from the cloud of mediocrity that their in-state rivals from Gainesville also seem to be experiencing? The state goes in cycles, and inevitably FSU won’t be the only ones at the mountain top. We spoke with one local coach on the record–anonymously–for the simple reason that he has a business and a program to protect. We wanted to get the question answered without filter. It’s not something we do often, but we need answers.

“I think it IS possible, but it’s going to be tough. It’s going to depend on how they go about it and the interest that they show the kids.”

Addressing the idea that there is little-to-no frame of reference for kids these days to understand just what “The U” is all about, coach confirms this is part of the problem with helping Miami maintain that brand recognition or identity. When you don’t win with regularity, you’re going to have a tough time staying number one in the hearts and minds of young men.

“I think that’s the tough part–let’s face it, the kids they’re recruiting now were just born–not born at all–when Miami was in their heyday in the early 2000’s and really couldn’t give a crap about Miami in the early 80’s and beyond. That’s what I’m finding out more about these kids today, is the “what have you done for me lately” mentality. I think Coach Fisher and the Florida State staff did a really good job at building that program up when they had the chance to do it, they seized the opportunity and did a good job. I think Coach Richt has to seize the opportunity with that program and find a way to get it done down there and to get the kids to stay home or go to Miami from within the state.”

Florida State is in its own class at the moment, so comparing the ‘Noles to the ‘Canes is tough in terms of recruiting battles. The reason being Miami lost over TWENTY prospects due to de-commitment in last year’s cycle alone. Recruiting “battles” aren’t much of a battle at the moment. Curiously enough, the Gators have gone through a tough patch of their own, and when you juxtapose the ‘Canes with them, you’d think that Miami could at least win some of the battles in the Tampa area that are about to ensue for quality players.

Is it a total indictment on Miami’s program, though? The Gators are seemingly STILL in the running for tons of nationally-ranked prospects–and landing them–even with the 4-8 season in recent years and with the sour ending that saw them score two points in their own house against their arch rivals and have their starting QB suspended for the season. There’s nuance. Miami and Florida might be experiencing the same identity crisis, but both FSU and the ‘Canes cannot compete with the identity that the Gators conference brings. Furthermore, it’s hard for Miami to compete when they’ve got one hand and even a foot tied behind their backs in the form of sanctions. Is it an indictment?

“It is and isn’t. Florida’s going to always have that–and I’ll be honest–the way the media portrays the SEC–they’re always going to have that juice because of the conference they play in. I think they’ll have that advantage over BOTH schools to be perfectly honest. But Miami’s certainly got to find a way to get their swagger back and I don’t think people considered the impact that sanctions had on that program. The sanctions definitely hurt them in their ability to recruit and do some other things.”

One thing’s for certain, having Mark Richt on campus DOESN’T hurt one single bit. Although he’s been working just recently in the same conference that virtually recruits itself AND had control of the reigns of one of the most prestigious programs in the south, he has the complete capability to instill momentum and get the program headed the right way, but it starts with coaching relationships and keeping staffs intact as well.

“He’s done it before, and I’m sure he’ll do it there, but Coach Richt has got to find a way to invigorate the kids nowadays and he’s got to find a way to make them really want to be there beyond just the weather and the city itself. The opportunity is certainly there.”

Do we even DARE to ask the question that Miami will find itself in more battles with UCF and USF more so than FSU and Florida? That may be enough for some ‘Canes fans to jump through their computer screens and start breaking stuff at the mere thought, but consider that both are offering AND pulling kids from Broward and Dade Counties, things aren’t getting any easier for that comeback. Everyone needs an identity, even if you lose all your games. Scott Frost took over a program that was 0-12 and has arguably created more intrigue and excitement based on the fact the team should have a very distinct “Floridian” style about it, and they’ve got a facility they can use to point towards their identity–an identity that Miami desperately needs to re-establish in some form or fashion.

“I hate to say it, but that has a lot to do with it (regarding the facilities) even at a place like UCF. I think the biggest thing that hurt Miami was the whole disaster with the Orange Bowl. They don’t have an identity. They really don’t. The Orange Bowl was their identity. Think about it–when they were good, people packed that place and they were willing to turn the place into one of the most-feared environments in all of college football. The Liberty City guys would pack that place and the amount of pride was insane. They’re not going to those games anymore and the kids that are growing up around those guys are seeing that as well. The one thing you can say for UCF, is that they really captured the experience with fans at that stadium.”