The Duke football program will start a new era next fall, their first season under head coach Manny Diaz. They made a big move on Friday, hiring former SMU Mustangs quarterback coach and co-offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer as their next OC, per Pete Thamel of ESPN.
Sources: Duke is expected to hire SMU CO-OC/QB coach Jonathan Brewer as the school's new offensive coordinator. He’s expected to install a similar wide-open offense to the one that Manny Diaz ran at Miami, when SMU HC Rhett Lashlee was the offensive coordinator there.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 14, 2023
Last year’s offensive coordinator, Kevin Johns, has not indicated his intentions to move on from the Duke Blue Devils. Additionally, the Duke football program has not made a statement regarding his employment.
Offensive Coordinator Jonathan Brewer: Massive Production with SMU Mustangs
Jonathan Brewer spent the past two seasons with the SMU Mustangs. However, his first stint with the program came in 2018. After a so-so first season, the Mustangs scored 41.8 points per game in 2019, the seventh-best average in the NCAA. Gunslinger Shane Buechele threw for 3,929 yards and 34 touchdowns against ten picks, with Brewer serving as the quarterbacks coach. Brewer transitioned to the ACC in 2020, working with the Miami Hurricanes under the same job title.
The Hurricanes scored 34 points per game across their two seasons with Brewer. Quarterbacks Tyler Van Dyke and D’Eriq King combined for 51 passing touchdowns and 15 interceptions during that span. The new Duke football offensive coordinator worked under Manny Diaz while with the Hurricanes. Duke hired Diaz to become their next head coach earlier this month.
Brewer returned to SMU in 2022, with quarterback Tanner Mordecai throwing for 33 touchdowns and ten picks last season. Brewer took on a more significant role this season, working as the co-offensive coordinator while holding onto the title of QB coach. SMU scored 40.6 points per game during the regular season, the sixth-best mark in college football. Quarterback Preston Stone was excellent, tossing 28 touchdowns with six picks.
Duke Football Under Manny Diaz: Outlook for the 2024 Season
The Blue Devils will need to replace quarterback Riley Leonard next season. The gunslinger started the past two seasons for the Duke football program, tossing 23 touchdowns against nine picks. However, he has dealt with injuries this season, playing in just seven games with the Blue Devils. Leonard provided a rushing element, rushing for 1,224 yards and 19 scores in 27 games.
Additionally, the Blue Devils will need to replace edge rusher R.J. Oben. He had five sacks in 2023 and will play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish next fall (as will Leonard). However, running back Jaquez Moore will return to Durham after entering the transfer portal in early December. He has run for 1,121 yards and 11 scores in three years.
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