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Happy Monday everybody. Let’s start it with some Canes talk, why don’t we?
Miami Athletics reportedly supporting Manny Diaz for the time being
With the Canes tanking what was set up to be a double digit win season at a paltry 2-3 heading into this bye week, the chatter surrounding Head Coach Manny Diaz’s status has gotten increasingly louder with every successive loss.
But, while the fanbase at large and many former players are growing louder and louder in their displeasure and disgust with the current state of affairs, it appears that Miami’s embattled coach has some key support.
According to FOX Sports’ Bruce Feldman — a well connected national journalist and Miami alum — the administration is supporting Diaz and reportedly will continue to do so throughout the 2021 season, regardless of W/L results. I’ve included the segment of Feldman discussing the Canes from this past Saturday’s pre-game show for your viewing and listening pleasure:
Oh you thought @BruceFeldmanCFB was gonna take the day off on his birthday? Think again.
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) October 2, 2021
He joins #BigNoonKickoff to discuss how hot Manny Diaz's seat is at Miami ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/HhMOJU9Cqe
To me, this reeks of damage control PR from Miami Athletics. Basically “let’s leak this out to someone that people will listen to and save ourselves from having to say anything else.”
Feldman’s statements on Saturday came after another PR stunt from the University: a letter from University President Julio Frenk. This came out on Thursday afternoon, hours before Miami’s bad loss to a BAD Virginia team, so the timing was perfect. Again, I’ve included the mentioned media for you to peruse yourselves:
In a message today, President @Julio_Frenk underscored the University’s commitment to athletic excellence and building on our proud ’Canes tradition.
— University of Miami (@univmiami) September 30, 2021
Read the full message: https://t.co/Wns3V0l8Uu pic.twitter.com/96fzmGZ2YL
Regardless of both the statement from President Frenk and the report from Feldman, further bad losses with make Diaz’s job untenable. Miami is wasting incredible amounts of talent, as the Canes have routinely done for the better part of 20 years. But another failure to win the Coastal Division this year, coupled with one or more future lopsided losses — particularly to a rival team, and GOD FORBID against the dregs of the Earth known as this year’s Florida State Seminoles — will force everyone’s hand.
Sure, everybody in the building at Miami is supporting Manny Diaz for now. But how long will that last? We’ll see....
Miniscule Odds to Win the Coastal
Let’s continue from the previous point by dropping this wonderful nugget here for you:
Updated ESPN FPI odds to win the Coastal
— Andrea Adelson (@aadelsonESPN) October 3, 2021
Pitt 72.1
VT 12.2
UNC 5.8
Miami 5.8
UVA 2.9
GT 1.1
Duke 0.1
Again, this season was tailor made for 10+ wins and a Coastal Division championship. And Miami is well on the way to pissing that away not even halfway thru the season. Cool, bro. Cooooooooool.
Blips On the Radar
Oh yeah, Miami lost to Virginia 30-28 on Thursday night. I’m running back the recap content here in case you missed it.
- I had your game recap
- Kevin Fielder selected the 3 stars
- Your weekly installment of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
- Justin Dottavio’s film breakdown
- Roman Marciante’s film review
Oh yeah, I haven’t written about it recently, but recruiting never sleeps. Nothing good for Miami at the moment, however, as longtime LB target Devon Jackson, who at one time was down to Miami and Nebraska (and seemed days away from committing to the Hurricanes), committed to Oregon this past weekend. Another win for Mario Cristobal. Juuuuuust saying...
COMMITTED❗️ @CoachKWils @coach_cristobal #goducks #scoducks @oregonfootball pic.twitter.com/xhgr8gnbqb
— Devon Jackson (@DevontheJet402) October 2, 2021
That’s it for today.
I have a feeling it’s going to be a LONG bye week around these parts.
Buckle up.