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With Miami sitting at No. 2 in the national rankings, offensive line coach Alex Mirabal has become a cornerstone of the Hurricanes’ resurgence. His message to coaches everywhere? Get lost in your work—and never stop teaching.

▶️ Watch Coach Mirabal demonstrate how the Double-Under technique builds leverage and power in Miami’s wide-zone scheme.

At a time when so many coaches are chasing the next title or bigger paycheck, Miami offensive line coach Alex Mirabal offers a simple reminder: get lost in your work.

“Too many people are trying to get ahead instead of doing the job they currently have to the best of their abilities,” Mirabal said on the Coach and Coordinator Podcast. “I never wanted to be a college coach. I just wanted to be the best high school offensive line coach I could be.”

That focus on excellence in the present moment has defined Mirabal’s career—from volunteer assistant at Columbus High School in Miami to one of the most respected teachers of offensive line play in college football.

A Teacher at Heart

Mirabal doesn’t separate coaching from teaching.

“A coach is a teacher and a teacher is a coach,” he said. “Shame on us when we think it’s different. I love football, but I love teaching even more.”

That philosophy shapes everything he does, from the way he installs fundamentals to how he connects with players. His goal isn’t just to win games; it’s to lead a significant life by impacting others. “It’s not about living a

successful life,” he said. “It’s about living a significant one—helping young men reach their goals and fulfill their potential.”

Belief Before Technique

Mirabal credits his own high-school coaches, Dennis Lavelle and Freck Boyle, for teaching him the power of belief.

“They believed in me first, and that made me believe in myself,” he said. “That’s what I try to do for my players.”

Even the biggest linemen, he reminds us, often lack confidence. The job of the coach is to build it—through clear teaching, not empty yelling.

Teaching, Not Telling

That mindset drives his technical work as well. When Mirabal teaches hand placement, he doesn’t shout “get your hands inside!”—he breaks down the how.

From Bill Callahan and Jim McNally at the COOL Clinic, he learned the double-under technique, pairing hand and hip leverage to create stronger, more efficient blocks.

“You can’t yell something into becoming a fundamental,” he said. “You better be able to teach it.”

Every drill in Miami’s program—from the med-ball work to the Crowther sled—connects directly to that teaching philosophy. “The equipment we use is a reflection of the techniques we teach,” he explained. “It all has to tie together.”

Decision-Making Is Teaching

Mirabal’s players don’t just memorize steps; they learn to make decisions. Whether it’s using a Crowther angle drive or a double-under gallop, the goal is to know when and why to apply each.

“That starts in the meeting room,” he said. “When we watch film, they should be asking, ‘Coach, is this a big double-under gallop game or a Crowther angle-drive game?’ That’s teaching.”

Learning Without the Firehose

For younger coaches, Mirabal warns against trying to “drink from the firehose.” Pick up one word, one detail, one better way to say something—and master that before moving on. “Sometimes guys try to pick up everything and end up learning nothing,” he said.

The Art of Staying Present

After more than three decades in the profession, Mirabal still resists chasing titles.

“I’d rather be the next Alex Gibbs than the next Sean McVay,” he said. “Gibbs changed the way the game is played because he poured himself into his position.”

That’s what Mirabal means by getting lost in your work. Focus on what’s in front of you. Teach it with clarity. Believe in your players. The rest will take care of itself.

-Always be growing!

Coach Grabowski