For Jeff Thomas, it seems a new coach means a new beginning.
The receiver, who was dismissed from Miami’s program by former coach Mark Richt in November and said as recently as Monday that he was planning to play at Illinois in 2019, announced on Instagram late Tuesday night he was returning to Coral Gables.
And Manny Diaz — Miami’s new coach — indicated publicly he is more than welcome, posting a photo both on Twitter and Instagram of Thomas in last year’s game against rival Florida State, a game in which Thomas was injured when he was pulled down by the facemask.