Offensive line coach Alex Mirabal sits down with Don Bailey, Jr.

[Peter Ariz]

In the latest edition of Hurricanes Camp Report, Don Bailey Jr. sat down with Canes offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, who delved into some of his coaching philosophies and more.

When asked about the rigors of camp and how his group is responding, Mirabal explained, "I enjoy teaching. And I enjoy the fact that when you're in training camp, you're just teaching fundamentals, techniques, and you're not really worried about an opponent. The opponent is yourself. The opponent is the defense."

This passion for teaching has its roots in Mirabal's past. He wasn't always just a coach. In fact, he spent 16 years as a classroom teacher, creating lesson plans every night and ensuring he was prepared for the next day's session. This same meticulous approach is what he now brings to coaching. Drawing a parallel between teaching and coaching, Mirabal commented on his preparation, “Just like a teacher… every night before I go throughout the course of the day, I'm preparing the lesson plan for the next day.” For him, these plans might involve clips, drills, or specific techniques he wants his linemen to focus on, ensuring they’re primed for any in-game situation.

For Coach Mirabal, it isn't just about the drills or the plays. It's about ensuring that the lessons resonate and translate into actions on the field. His philosophy hinges on transforming words into images for his players, “So that words become images to them.” His meticulousness is even evident in his practice clips. While his players might chuckle at the 150 clips he prepares daily, for Mirabal, it's about always having more than you might need. It's this thoroughness and preparedness that distinguishes him.

What's even more intriguing is how Coach Mirabal sees the dynamics of the offensive line room this year. When asked about the personality of his offensive line this season, he described them as an “urgent group” with “an edge to them.” He attributed a significant part of this urgency and edge to the leadership in the room, particularly pointing out Matt Lee.

According to Mirabal, it’s not just about having leaders; it's about having players willing to follow the right leaders and the right messages. He emphasized, "You might have four or five leaders on a team… but what you better have is a lot of guys that are going to follow the message of the head coach, the assistant coaches, and the players that are the leaders.”

“These young men want to do good, right. They want to do good for themselves, their families, they want to do good for the program, they want to do good for the fans. You know every fan thinks that they want to win more than the players do. No sorry, they want to win. They're not trying to not execute on purpose. They want to execute right for themselves and for Canes Nation."

 

[CholoCane]

We needed this ******* guy so bad

 

[LuCane]

I'm a Mirabal supporter. The part in his interview about how "common people" don't understand such and such is exactly the type of stuff we've always pushed back on. It's mostly nonsense and unnecessary.

As fans of this program, if we know anything, it's how to endure losing and bad stuff when we see it. No reason to go at fans who mostly will still show up after one of the most disastrous years in Canes history.

Let's just win some.

 

[JHallCanes]

I'm a Mirabal supporter. The part in his interview about how "common people" don't understand such and such is exactly the type of stuff we've always pushed back on. It's mostly nonsense and unnecessary.

As fans of this program, if we know anything, it's how to endure losing and bad stuff when we see it. No reason to go at fans who mostly will still show up after one of the most disastrous years in Canes history.

Let's just win some.

The article was edited I’m not seeing what you’re referring to

 

[LuCane]

The article was edited I’m not seeing what you’re referring to

It's in the video version of the interview:



Around the 6:45 mark. It's built off mentioning the work of the kids and why they do what they do. It's just an unnecessary tangent.

 

[JHallCanes]

It's in the video version of the interview:



Around the 6:45 mark. It's built off mentioning the work of the kids and why they do what they do. It's just an unnecessary tangent.

Thanks brother

I get it, a coach wants to stick up for his players. It’s a comment that doesn’t really jive with his overall demeanor especially as a teacher. A good teacher doesn’t put down someone for “not understanding” in fact they embrace the opposite

Then again we know fans can cross the line and perhaps something struck a nerve with him

 

[Warrior808]

I'm a Mirabal supporter. The part in his interview about how "common people" don't understand such and such is exactly the type of stuff we've always pushed back on. It's mostly nonsense and unnecessary.

As fans of this program, if we know anything, it's how to endure losing and bad stuff when we see it. No reason to go at fans who mostly will still show up after one of the most disastrous years in Canes history.

Let's just win some.

I agree but to be fair he was specifically asked if people outside of football knew how much communication went on with the offensive line from the time you leave the huddle to the time the ball was snapped. Mirabal was was responding to that specific question when he said he didn't think the common person understood just how much went on. He didn't randomly bring it up on his own or seem to be putting anyone down.

 

[JgDaCane]

I'm a Mirabal supporter. The part in his interview about how "common people" don't understand such and such is exactly the type of stuff we've always pushed back on. It's mostly nonsense and unnecessary.

As fans of this program, if we know anything, it's how to endure losing and bad stuff when we see it. No reason to go at fans who mostly will still show up after one of the most disastrous years in Canes history.

Let's just win some.

Yeah, he's a 3 foot tall o-line coach. He's the last person in the world that should be telling anyone what they do & don't know about football because I'm certain he's been judged before based off of that. Lots of "common folk" have a high understanding of this game. Even if they haven't played at a super high level.

 

[LuCane]

I agree but to be fair he was specifically asked if people outside of football knew how much communication went on with the offensive line from the time you leave the huddle to the time the ball was snapped. Mirabal was was responding to that specific question when he said he didn't think the common person understood just how much went on. He didn't randomly bring it up on his own or seem to be putting anyone down.

Saw it a couple times to be sure. It came on the heels of "fans think they want to win as much as the players do.....no. The common person..." Just seemed unnecessary. When Coker or Randy or Golden or Diaz or any of their coaches said what he said, most of us responded the same way. So, it's only fair. We have a long history of coaches telling Miami fans we should basically STFU. Meanwhile, they've all lost more games than they should. I hope he bucks that losing trend, at least. And, again, I'm a supporter of his work and have talked him up throughout the board since he was hired. Clearly, he has the most promising unit on the team.

 

[Empirical Cane]

Thanks brother

I get it, a coach wants to stick up for his players. It’s a comment that doesn’t really jive with his overall demeanor especially as a teacher. A good teacher doesn’t put down someone for “not understanding” in fact they embrace the opposite

Then again we know fans can cross the line and perhaps something struck a nerve with him

"Hey you stupid fuqtard, what is your malfunction?" is a very effective teaching communication technique.

 

[JHallCanes]

"Hey you stupid fuqtard, what is your malfunction?" is a very effective teaching communication technique.

There’s certainly a time and place for that where it’s appropriate

 

[Warrior808]

Saw it a couple times to be sure. It came on the heels of "fans think they want to win as much as the players do.....no. The common person..." Just seemed unnecessary. When Coker or Randy or Golden or Diaz or any of their coaches said what he said, most of us responded the same way. So, it's only fair. We have a long history of coaches telling Miami fans we should basically STFU. Meanwhile, they've all lost more games than they should. I hope he bucks that losing trend, at least. And, again, I'm a supporter of his work and have talked him up throughout the board since he was hired. Clearly, he has the most promising unit on the team.

I didnt take it the same way (when listening to the entire context including the question asked), seemed more like praising what it takes for his guys to perform, giving details about pre-snap communication etc. I actually agree the common person wouldnt know about how the offensive line communicates. Some of the people on here, **** yeah they would know but I wouldn't consider them the average person in regards to football knowledge.

But if its offensive to some he definitely could have phrased it differently or not answered so directly. Never a good idea to make people feel spoken down to whether its intended or not.

 

[TpaBayFlyFisher]

The OL was one of, if not the, worst parts of our team last year. I hope that changes this year.

 

[LuCane]

I didnt take it the same way (when listening to the entire context including the question asked), seemed more like praising what it takes for his guys to perform, giving details about pre-snap communication etc. I actually agree the common person wouldnt know about how the offensive line communicates. Some of the people on here, **** yeah they would know but I wouldn't consider them the average person in regards to football knowledge.

But if its offensive to some he definitely could have phrased it differently or not answered so directly. Never a good idea to make people feel spoken down to whether its intended or not.

Yeah. Maybe we just took it differently. Id agree that very few people, actually, know how any position groups communicate. I never played a down at offensive line and wouldn’t presume to know much about their technical responsibilities beyond what was relatively obvious to understand from a different position on the field. That’s why I tag Gogeta and San amaro and a dude who used to post named Hollyhood. I guess I just did not interpret the comment about fans wanting to win and such the same way. Seemed off and random.

 

[Fzac75]

"Hey you stupid fuqtard, what is your malfunction?" is a very effective teaching communication technique.

The stuff of Mirabal stories while teaching at Columbus is legendary amongst the alumni. You are not that far off with him addressing his students like that LOL. As well as when he coached the JV team. The man is the type of crazy you don’t mess with it LOL

**** at Belen I had a theology teacher, similar stature to Mirabal and that man was crazy, dropping the word “****” every other sentence, fricking hilarious

 

[San Amaro Dr]

Yeah. Maybe we just took it differently. Id agree that very few people, actually, know how any position groups communicate. I never played a down at offensive line and wouldn’t presume to know much about their technical responsibilities beyond what was relatively obvious to understand from a different position on the field. That’s why I tag Gogeta and San amaro and a dude who used to post named Hollyhood. I guess I just did not interpret the comment about fans wanting to win and such the same way. Seemed off and random.

I think if you’ve met Mirabal a few times you understand that what he said comes from nothing more than how prideful he is about coaching the position and his overall demeanor. Won’t hear him cracking jokes and talking nonsense. My first time meeting him he spent 45 minutes with me teaching me the double under technique they teach and it’s not like I had a big time recruit with me lol. Back in the fiu days.

 

[E1k]

One of my favorite coaches on staff

 

[NCCanefan]

Yeah, he's a 3 foot tall o-line coach. He's the last person in the world that should be telling anyone what they do & don't know about football because I'm certain he's been judged before based off of that. Lots of "common folk" have a high understanding of this game. Even if they haven't played at a super high level.

Teachers who can educate and motivate make the best coaches. Star players for whom the game came easy are rarely great coaches. And it doesn't matter how tall you are btw.

 

[The U is back to work]

Mirabal earns his money no doubt. Guy seems like a genuine teacher of the game and cares for his guys. Now we just need the results.

 

[JgDaCane]

Teachers who can educate and motivate make the best coaches. Star players for whom the game came easy are rarely great coaches. And it doesn't matter how tall you are btw.

Agree he should take that same advice. That was my point. Thank you.