There is a lot of CYA in those statements.
The OC "called for the handoff", but refused to discuss what was being said in the headset before the call. That doesn't mean that the OC is the one who made the decision to handoff, only that he called in the play to handoff. The OC and Cristobol left enough open that there can be argument and discussion about who actually made the decision. They also make it difficult to hand out any actual responsibility for the decision.
Miami requested feedback on "whether or not Chaney’s elbow was down before he was stripped of the football". He was down before the ball was stripped out. That doesn't matter on the replay because you have to know for certain that the RB had clear possession of the ball when his elbow was down. The replay cannot show that, because you can't see the ball. What if the ball was loose and moving BEFORE the ball was forcibly pulled out. The replay has to prove with irrefutable evidence that the call on the field was wrong. No video evidence exists that can prove the RB had the ball firmly in possession when his elbow hit the ground. This is a statement to appease Miami fans and to try to take away the heat from the HC.
The decision to go for it was stupid, even if it had not been fumbled. The decision on whether to go for it or not rests on the HC. Even if the OC decided to run, the HC should understand that the game is over if you take a knee, and not 100% over if you do not take a knee. He should override any decision that any assistant makes that has a chance to lose the game. Does the HC allow the special teams coordinator to decide whether to kick a FG or go for it on 4th down. Does the HC allow the special teams coordinator to make the decision on whether to go for a PAT or go for two? This type of response seems to me to indicate a total lack of accountability and a system of disfunction in the coaching staff. However, it seems to be pretty much on par for Miami football for the past 20 years.
