Before his current role as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Miami, Rhett Lashlee worked the same role for several years under Gus Malzahn. The two actually met in 2006 at Arkansas, where Malzahn served as offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach and Lashlee was a graduate assistant. In 2009, they reunited at Auburn, and in 2012, Malzahn hired Lashlee as his offensive coordinator after taking the Arkansas State job before bringing him along to Auburn in 2013.

Lashlee left in 2016 for stops at UConn at SMU before ending up with Manny Diaz at Miami. And with the Hurricanes at 3-0 after a blowout win over Florida State on Saturday, Malzahn spoke with the media on Tuesday about the work of his mentee.

“What he’s done is unbelievable. Probably the best coaching job in the country up to this point,” he said, according to AL.com.

A disappointing 2019 season that saw the Canes limp to a 6-7 mark saw former offensive coordinator Dan Enos fired after just one season. But their offense has surged in the first 3 games of the season under Lashlee, which hasn’t come as a shock to Malzahn.

“He’s a great coach. He’s a relationship guy, and players believe in him,” he said. “I’m real happy. He’s got a real offense. It’s exciting to watch.”

The No. 8 Hurricanes are off until Oct. 10, when they visit No. 1 Clemson.