Breaking news emerged Monday Jan. 4 as head football coach Mike Rumph accepted an offer to become the new cornerbacks coach at the University of Miami. Coach Rumph spent three seasons with American Heritage, finishing his high-school coaching career with a 39-6 record, including back to back state championships in 2013 and 2014.
Coming to Heritage three years ago, Coach Rumph had a goal, “to build a program where we had support from the administration and the students.” Rumph felt he succeeded in his goal and became emotional as he notified the entire football team earlier in the day. “There was a lot of excitement and applause from everyone,” Rumph said. “It really says a lot about the steps I’ve left here. The kids and I have been through so much. I’ve acted as a father, friend, mentor and coach for them, and it was very emotional.”
“I want to thank the administration, Mr. and Dr. Laurie, athletic director Karen Stearns and all of the people who have really supported the program over the past three years,” Rumph said.
At the University of Miami, Rumph will take over as the cornerbacks coach under the new head coaching administration of former UM quarterback and Georgia head coach Mark Richt. Rumph was a starting cornerback for the University of Miami on the 2001 National Championship team and went on to play in the NFL for five years with the San Francisco 49ers and the Washington Redskins.
Richt reached out to Rumph offering him the position, hoping to give a boost to the current personnel as well as the recruiting classes of the future. Miami is currently ranked no. 15 in recruiting according to ESPN and Rumph’s hiring should improve that ranking in the future. He brings a strong appeal for local players, most of whom know about his success in the past three years with the Patriots and his success as a player at Miami.
In the future, Rumph hopes to get the Miami cornerbacks to a level capable of winning an ACC Championship and eventually a national championship. “I’m not going to talk about my success in the past. I want to focus on the future and moving forward with the program,” Rumph said.
As for the head coaching position for the Patriots, the new search will begin soon but there are no current frontrunners for the position. The past success under coach Rumph makes the new opening an attractive position for many prospective high school coaches.
