With spring practice officially underway around the ACC, we’re taking a look at each program, using recent performance, win-loss trends, coaching and current and future personnel as indicators. Next up: Miami.

2015 record: 8-5 (5-3 ACC)

Three-year record: 23-16

With confidence in Mark Richt high, Miami's administration has already shown it's willing to provide the football program more resources. Joe Skipper/Getty Images

Coaching situation: As a former Miami player with a coaching track record that includes multiple SEC championships, new coach Mark Richt should receive the initial patience a portion of the fan base was unwilling to give Al Golden. The hiring of Richt shortly after Georgia fired him after 15 seasons invigorated much of a Hurricanes fan base that believes Miami should not struggle to compete in the ACC let alone nationally. What should be interesting is Richt’s interest in calling the offense at Miami. He was considered one of the best offensive coordinators while at Florida State. Defensively, Richt hit a home run hiring Craig Kuligowski from Missouri, and Manny Diaz is a respected defensive coordinator. Richt put together a solid staff at Miami after there were questions whether the program has the finances to attract quality assistants.

Roster situation: There is talent on the roster, but this clearly is not a group as strong as some of the teams during the latest glory years. The biggest hole is probably the defensive line. Opposing coaches have pointed to a lack of effort as part of the reason, but the defensive line has not posed much of a threat recently. Overall, however, Miami has one of the better rosters in the ACC, albeit one still significantly below what Clemson and Florida State possess. What Miami has is one of the country’s best quarterbacks in junior Brad Kaaya, who will be a third-year starter. Flanking him is a strong backfield and several threats at receiver. The offensive line should be better. Defense has been a major issue, so the new staff will need to do a better job of maximizing the talent on that side of the ball before it can land reinforcements in future recruiting classes.

Recruiting situation: The 2016 class was once ranked No. 1 nationally, but the coaching change and more than 20 decommitments nearly dropped the Hurricanes to outside the top 20. The 2017 class is shaping up to be a strong one, and with much more stability within the program, there is a much better chance Miami can keep its momentum and finish in the top 10. With Florida State and Clemson annually finishing with elite classes, the Hurricanes need to bring in similar talent to the ACC’s current powerhouses. With seemingly endless talent in South Florida, there are enough players locally for Miami to rebuild a program. It just needs to fend off Alabama and Florida State and a host of others for local talent, and then couple the south Florida players with a few blue-chip athletes from across the country.

Trajectory: It’s a little too early to blindly declare the arrow is pointing up at Miami before Richt even coaches his first spring practice. The excitement is palpable and there are several reasons to believe the program is in great hands with Richt, however. As mentioned earlier, there is a confidence in Richt from the fan base and administration, the latter which is already showing it is willing to provide a few more resources. There is enough talent to win the ACC Coastal Division, and Richt has the coaching prowess to get Miami into the conference championship game, especially as the division landscape changes with so much turnover in 2016. Fans will argue the trajectory is already moving in a better direction simply because Golden is no longer the coach, but it’s better to wait to see how far Richt can take Miami.