Miami Hurricanes News and Notes: Football Season Opener Gets Moved, Morris’ No. 3 to be Retired, WBB Compete in ACC Tournament

Good Morning Canes Familia,

There are plenty of headlines to catch up on this morning. Canes Football announced numerous hirings within the recruiting department on Thursday. The Canes will also be starting the 2019 season a week earlier than anticipated, after the NCAA approved moving up the date of their game against rival Florida. Tonight, Hurricanes baseball will retire Jim Morris No. 3 in a pregame ceremony at Mark Light Field. Later this morning UM Women’s Basketball is set to compete in the 2019 ACC Tournament. Men’s Basketball is set to play their regular season finale this evening.

And you thought Captain Marvel was going to take all the headlines this Friday.

Season Opener Moved to August 24th

If you had plans to see the University of Miami take on the Florida Gators on August 31st, you’re going to need to make some revisions. On Thursday evening, the NCAA approved moving the season opener in Orlando up a week for broadcast purposes. The contest will air on ESPN at 7pm EDT. Our own Cameron Underwood discussed the news in an article Thursday evening.

BEFORE YOU ASK….

No decisions has been made regarding QB Tate Martell’s eligibility for the 2019 season. There have been rumors of much, but no official word from anyone involved in the situation.

UM Football Officially Announces Hires and Promotions

Rumors circulated of some of new hires being made within the football program. On Thursday, head coach Manny Diaz officially announced the hirings and promotions of several positions within the football program.

Here’s a list of the new appointments:

• Andy Vaughn — director of player personnel (worked at the University of Arizona as director of recruiting and high school relations)
• David Cooney — director of recruiting (previously worked as an offensive quality control analyst for UM)
• Demarcus Van Dyke — assistant director of recruiting (previously served as defensive quality control analyst for UM)
• Tyler Stevens — coordinator/player personnel (served as UM on-campus recruiting coordinator in 2018)
• Joel Rodriguez — senior quality control analyst (offense)
• Mike Zuckerman — senior quality control analyst for the (defense)
• Jesse Stone — quality control analysts (offense)
• David Parker — quality control analysts (offense)
• Jesse Byrd — quality control analyst (defense)
• Jorge Baez — director of player development
• Alex Devine — assistant director of player development

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Declarations of State

State of the U’s own Gabriel Urrutia highlights why the Hurricanes offense should thrive whether or not QB Tate Martell is granted a waiver to play in 2019.

SOTU’s NYCanesGuy recapped the weekend in Indy for Miami’s six participants in the 2019 NFL Scouting Combine.

Our own Marshall Thomas returned with another installment of Marsh’s Mailbag. This week he fielded questions regarding impact transfers, recruits to watch for in 2020 and his thoughts on the departure of DL coach Jess Simpson.

Justin Dottavio provides insight into how the Hurricanes compare alongside their ACC Coastal Counterparts. Justin also dropped a Dusty Rhodes references that has us feeling nostalgic.

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Baseball Begins ACC Play Against Georgia Tech

Mark Light Field will be rocking tonight. Hurricanes Baseball (10-2) is set to open conference play this evening when they take on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-4). The Canes look to extend their five-game winning streak at home. Junior Evan McKendry will get the start on the mound for the Canes this evening. Before the game, the Hurricanes will retire the number of former head coach Jim Morris (1,594 career victories in D1!). First pitch is set for 7:30pm EDT.

Women’s Basketball Compete for ACC Crown

The Hurricanes are currently ranked 15th in the Coaches Top 25 poll. UM enters the ACC Championship Tournament — which began on Wednesday in Greensboro, North Carolina — ranked fourth in the conference. Miami will square off against the Syracuse Orange today, with tipoff set for 11AM EDT. A win would move Miami to the semifinals, which is set to take place on Saturday. The Canes defeated the Orange in their lone meeting by a score of 84-71 this past January.

Earlier in the week, C Emese Hof and F Beatrice Mompremier were named First Team All-ACC members. Hof, became the ACC’s first recipient of the Most Improved Award on Wednesday. Hof averaged 14.3 points, 59.3% field goal percentage, 8.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks during the regular season.

Finishing with a championship victory would be added momentum for head coach Katie Meier’s team, especially after the head coach was named a finalist for the Naismith Coach of the Year. Meier previous won the AP Coach of the Year award after the 2010-2011 season that saw the Hurricanes finish with a 26-3 record.

Final Regular Season Game for Men’s Basketball

The University of Miami Men’s Basketball team is set to hit the hardwood one last time as part of the 2018-’19 regular season. The team will be in Blacksburg, VA to square off with Virginia Tech. The Hokies walked away victorious when the teams met in January by a score of 82-70. The Canes will attempt to return the favor, hopefully closing out the regular season on high note.

Non-Revenue Sports

The NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships are set to begin today in Birmingham, Alabama.

Have a Great Day and Go Canes!