The 1980s Miami Hurricanes were a team that went against the grain, trash-talking in a way that constantly got under their opponents’ skin, celebrating wildly after big plays, and dancing in the end zone after touchdowns with a swagger that stood out as much as their bright orange jerseys.
A Legacy of Controversy
Their impact was felt far beyond the gridiron, as the 1986 squad was even labeled the most hated team of all time by Sports Illustrated. The team’s boisterous antics were not just empty calories – they backed it up when they stepped onto the field.
The Hurricanes’ style ruffled a lot of feathers, but the more people disliked Miami, the more the team seemed to embrace it. Before facing defending national champion and top-ranked Oklahoma in September 1986, the Hurricanes famously defied protocol and refused to shake hands with the Sooners, sparking a heated exchange between the top two teams right in front of the TV cameras.
A Coach Who Embodied the Team’s Spirit
Coach Jimmy Johnson was the mastermind behind the team’s success. He allowed his players to be their authentic selves out on the field, and his genius was not only in recognizing the shift in sports in the 1980s but also in allowing his players to express themselves.
Johnson’s tenure was marked by a culture that made his team truly memorable. The Hurricanes were rough around the edges, bold, brash, and arrogant – but that’s what made them who they were. Better to be remembered for something than not remembered at all. And no one will forget the 1980s Miami Hurricanes, the ‘Bad Boys of college football.’
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
