Good Things Come In Twos

First there were none.  Now there are two.

Two weeks ago the University of Miami did not have an Athletic Director or a Men's Basketball Coach.  Suddenly, and to the delight of UM fans, the Hurricanes now have both positions filled.

Athletic Director Shawn Eichorst and Men's Basketball Coach Jim Larranaga have joined the UM team.

Eichorst has served as Deputy Athletic Director at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where his responsibilities under Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez have included serving as the Department's COO, overseeing daily operations, legal affairs, trademark and licensing, and merchandising. 

Under his leadership, the Badgers Athletic Department operated under a $90 million budget, which consists of 23 intercollegiate athletics programs, 850 student-athletes, and 320 full-time employees. Eichorst was involved in the construction of a new $100 million ice hockey/swim facility that broke ground last winter and an athletic performance center for football which gets underway this fall.

From 2004-2006, Eichorst served as the University of South Carolina's Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration, and Interim Director of Athletics in June 2005. The football team was bowl-eligible each year during Eichorst's tenure and the baseball program competed in the 2004 College World Series. Working with the Gamecocks, he had direct oversight of football (Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier) and baseball (Ray Tanner) programs.

Here are some quotes from those that know, worked with or hired Shawn:

Donna E. Shalala, University of Miami President
"Shawn Eichorst has the skills, experience, and philosophy to elevate UM athletics and exceed our highest expectations."

Barry Alavarez, Wisconsin Football Coach & Director of Athletics
"Shawn made a great contribution to our athletic program. He is very bright and he is a hard worker. Like Donna Shalala, Shawn's concern is always for the welfare of the student-athletes. I'm very confident that the coaching staffs at Miami will enjoy his leadership. He will make a tremendous contribution. His wife, Kristin, and their family will be an asset to the Miami community." 

Albert Golden, University of Miami football coach
"I commend President Shalala and Paul DiMare on the hiring of Shawn Eichorst. During my interactions with Shawn, his innate leadership skills shined and his track record at major BCS schools will benefit all of our teams at the University of Miami.  I join our entire athletics family in welcoming Shawn to the U and look forward to a prosperous partnership in the years to come."

Wisconsin Men's Basketball Coach Bo Ryan
"Shawn is a pleasure to work with. What I really like and appreciated about him is that he gave me and my staff the intellectual and professional freedom to be ourselves. He does a great job of deferring to the abilities of those who work for him."

Wisconsin Football Coach Bret Bielema
"Speaking from a football standpoint, I called Al (Golden) and told him how highly I think of Shawn. He knows the business side of things, but he's also great with the people side. I think it will be a great partnership between Shawn and the Miami football staff."

The Hurricanes new basketball coach replaces Frank Haith to lead Miami.  Here is a brief summary of his skills and experience: 

From the moment new Miami head men’s basketball coach Jim Larranaga walked into the team conference room in the BankUnited Center on Friday evening, the Hurricanes players were put at ease with his big smile and effusive energy.

 
And although some of the players may have been unsure how to properly pronounce his name and couldn’t necessary rattle off all the accomplishments of the 27-year head coach, they were certainly aware of the success he brought to George Mason and that 2006 Final Four run.

After all, the hire of Larranaga (LARE-uh-NAY-guh) by new UM Director of Athletics Shawn Eichorst, marked just the third head coach to bring a Final Four appearance on his resume to an ACC school – and just the second by a current league institution.

That 2006 season was no fluke for the former Providence basketball player. In 14 years at George Mason, Larranaga guided the Patriots to the postseason nine times – including five NCAA Tournament appearances, which is just one shy of what the Hurricanes have accomplished in 64 seasons on the hardwood.

The UM baseball team took 2 of 3 games from North Carolina:

The 10th-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels used five runs in the first two innings to seal an 8-1 win in the series finale Sunday afternoon over No. 20 Miami at Boshamer Stadium.

However, Miami took the three game series on Saturday with a doubleheader sweep, 13-6 and 5-3.

The game was decided early on Sunday, with North Carolina (32-10, 13-8 Atlantic Coast Conference) putting runners in scoring position in each of the first six innings and taking advantage in four of those frames. Miami (27-13, 15-5 ACC) tried to claw back in the sixth, but UNC had an answer.

Miami cut into the lead, 6-1, with its first run of the game coming off a Rony Rodriguez single to left that crossed Zeke "Beep Beep" DeVoss.  However, North Carolina abruptly answered back with two runs in the home-half of the inning.

The final score was 8-1 as Miami was unable to get anything else going offensively as UNC freshman left-hander Kent Emanuel went the entire way for the Tar Heels in picking up the win on the mound.

The Hurricanes were led offensively on the day by freshman first baseman Fieger who finished 2-for-4 at the dish, as well as third baseman H-Mart who extending his hitting streak to nine games with a single. Meanwhile Rony Rodriguez had the only RBI for the Canes - his third game in the last four where he has collected at least one RBI.

The loss went to Ecinosa of the Canes, evening his record at 3-3 on the year. He went 3 2/3 innings with five runs on five hits and five walks. Miami relief pitchers Salcines and Salas went the rest of the way on the mound.

Miami will get back on the diamond Wednesday, April 27, as the Canes host the USF Bulls to Alex Rodriguez Park at 6 p.m

So it appears that if good things come in twos, then your Miami Hurricanes are good to go!

Comments

[Six]

me.yahoo.com/a/wbL5MSFpxfx5UaLg6TRiCbKR_LLrIVs6qzd2 | April 24, 2011 at 06:53 PM

Give my shirt to someone else

I said it was nice to see the Canes finally, for the first time this entire year, take a series from a ranked team

2 weeks? Obviously as a Canes fan, you know what can happen in a 2 week period - just look at the way the Canes have been playing

Do I give them a pass? Nope. Why? Mediocrity doesn't sit well with me. Is that a big deal? It sure the hell is with the football team, isn't it? So why can't it be with the baseball team?

How many times do we hear during the football season or right before it starts about how Canes fans need to stop living in the past and about how 2001 was a long time ago ... well, isn't that the last time the Canes won in baseball as well?

So why should it be any different, esp. when the baseball team hasn't gone through as rough a stretch as the football team? Same head coach for the baseball team since 1999 until present, correct? If anything, the fans of Canes baseball should be upset that they haven't won more since 1999

Kevin O'Sullivan and his staff haven't been at UiF as long as Morris has been at Miami when he did win those titles in '99 and '01 - and I think we already discussed who was here with Morris when he won those titles, and how they're not here anymore - one main guy in particular was with him at GTech and also at Miami - and he also went to LSU and helped them into the CWS and also out to Arizona State and kept them as a national powerhouse as well as a CWS team ... thus you see with those 3 main cogs gone the lapse from winning it all in Omaha

O'Sullivan has done a better job since arriving to UiF than Morris has done since O'Sullivan arriving to UiF

Making it to a Regional shouldn't be some big accomplishment for the Canes - a program like Miami has, Super Regionals and the CWS should be the norm

Rice has made the CWS the same amount than Miami has and only 1 less title since 2001 ... and Wayne Graham didn't exactly have Turtle, Lazer and DiMare on his staff

Again, Virginia, GTech and even FSU are the measuring stick for this team .. glad they finally took a series from a ranked team, but still a way to go

[Six]

I can't put a name to who I think Jim Larranaga looks like in that picture ... but he looks just like another coach

Tom Coughlin

[Six]

Larranaga = Tom Coughlin without a tan

http://www.gunaxin.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/coughlin.jpg

[roachcane77]

Nice article. Seems like a lot of good stuff to be said about Eichorst, and Larranaga's resume speaks for itself.

Hopefully our young Cane Baseballers can continue to mature, cut down the errors, and pick up the offense.

Still... can't wait for FB though.

[solarcane]

This kids is going to kill if comes here.
Loves the U
Think Travis B speed, but fights for the ball, 19 tds last season
check him out
Alton "pig" Howard
Hopefully he will have a quarterback that throws like his high school qb.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4mvQRL1Utc&feature=related

[NativeCane]

Pig Howard is gonna make some folks real happy!

Go Canes!!!

[CGNC]

Ok, so is this basketball coach hire a good one?

[solarcane]

native did you like how every time he scores he just drops the ball on the ground and trots off like it's nothing to catch 50yd bombs all day?

[solarcane]

Hi CG,
Hey its been warm enough here to wear shorts for three weeks in a row, I can't believe it!!! I'm off to work in a tee and cargo shorts I'm lovin it!

[NativeCane]

ESPN

NCAA Alleges that Tressel is a Liar

The NCAA, in a notice of allegations to the Ohio State school president last week, says football coach Jim Tressel was not honest when discovering his players were selling autographs, uniforms, championship rings and other memorabilia for money and tattoos.

The incident, which resulted in a self-imposed school fine of $250,000 and a five-game suspension for Tressel, could be considered a second offense when the NCAA hands down any discipline, according to the notice, which was delivered Friday to president Gordon Gee.

[+] EnlargeAP Photo/Terry Gilliam
The NCAA says Ohio State's Jim Tressel "falsely attested" that he reported all knowledge of NCAA violations to the school.
"The allegations are largely consistent with what the university self-reported to the NCAA," Ohio State said in a statement on the school's website.

The NCAA says Tressel "falsely attested" that he reported all knowledge of NCAA violations to the school.

The report also cites previous violations involving former quarterback Troy Smith, who received $500 from a booster and former men's basketball coach Jim O'Brien, who gave $6,000 to a recruit, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Ohio State must go before the NCAA's committee on infractions Aug. 12.

NCAA rules state second-time violators face postseason levies, coaching-staff suspensions and a loss of scholarships, The Dispatch reported.

"It was reported that Jim Tressel, head football coach, failed to deport himself in accordance with the honesty and integrity normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics and violated ethical-conduct legislation," the 13-page NCAA document says.

Absent from the notice was mention of a "failure to monitor" or "failure of institutional control," the most serious violations that historically have resulted in the worst penalties for programs.

"That was very significant," a source close to the investigation told the Columbus newspaper on Monday.

Tressel has been suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season for failing to notify Ohio State officials of emails he received as early as April 2010 that said his players were selling the items to the owner of a local tattoo parlor.

Five players, including starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor, were suspended in December for accepting the improper benefits. All were permitted to play in Ohio State's Sugar Bowl victory over Arkansas, with their suspensions beginning with the first game this fall.

Tressel, in his 11th year coaching the Buckeyes, did not disclose what he knew about the players' violations until he was confronted by Ohio State officials in January while the university was building the appeal of the players' suspensions.

"The university will continue to work cooperatively with the NCAA during the response phase to the NCAA that now begins, and will have no further comment until the process is completed," the school statement said Monday.

[NativeCane]

^^^^^^^^^^^^SHOCKER^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[NativeCane]

Yeah Solar hes good and does it with class!

[Texascane]

Dez Bryant lies about something that wasn't even a violation and he gets suspended for an entire year.

Tressel gets his five best players to commit to coming back for another year (and gets to use them in the bowl game) and then gets fined 14% of his salary and has to miss only five Saturdays...will certainly be on the phone with the coaches and in the stadium on those days.

As Jerry Tarkanian once said, "The NCAA is so mad at Kentucky that they are going to add two more years of probation to Cleveland State..."

[CGNC]

Solar, I know - we have had a couple of chilly days mixed in here and there but I am actually a little tan :-D

[fmcane]

tressel and that whole osu program is dirty. Has been for years, but the ncaa doesnt want to come down on one of their golden boys. Hopefully this forces their hand. Most other universities and coaches would be thrown under the bus for this, but osu get preferential treatment every time. Dont know bout yall but im sick of this sh*t and would like the ncaa to stop playing favorites and subject every program to the same level of scrutiny and accountability

[NativeCane]

SS

The Hurricanes' first spring practice under coach Al Golden focused on competition, conditioning and culture change.

Depth charts were regularly adjusted based on performance, and players' status determined their jersey color for practice.

New systems were installed on offense, defense and special teams.

Practices ran longer than before. Scrimmages were up-tempo.

Turnovers and penalties, both major problems last season, were points of emphasis.

By the end of spring, the 'Canes were better conditioned, more physical and mentally tougher, Golden said, but still in need of improvement in those areas.

"I thought we made a lot of progress," Golden said. "I know that journey's going to be a long one getting it to where we want it to be, but I was pleased with the effort that we made."

Five things we learned about the 'Canes this spring:

• We're no closer to knowing the starting quarterback.

Golden said he's "not leaning" toward Jacory Harris or Stephen Morris and expects the competition to go until mid-August. He'll eventually build the offense around one of them.

After zero turnovers in the first scrimmage, each threw one interception in the second scrimmage and two in the spring game. Both showed better command of the huddle and better leadership, and made "explosive plays" downfield, Golden said. Both still need to make better decisions. Studying more film will help.

Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch plans to use the talented trio of running backs — Lamar Miller, Mike James and Storm Johnson — as much as possible and get them the ball in space.

We can expect to see more swing passes and dump-offs to the backs than under Fisch's predecessor, Mark Whipple. The 'Canes will go with two tight end sets often, and involve the tight end more in the passing game. Clive Walford emerged this spring and, when healthy, Asante Cleveland will be a quality target.

We assumed Seantrel Henderson would undoubtedly be the starting left tackle. We were wrong. He'll start fall camp as the backup to Malcolm Bunche, one of spring's biggest surprises.

That position battle reflects the quality depth on offensive line. Throughout spring, Harland Gunn and Brandon Linder battled for the starting job at left guard. Tyler Horn and Shane McDermott did the same at center. On the final depth chart, Ben Jones drew even with Jermaine Johnson at right tackle. Only right guard Brandon Washington appears assured of a starting job.

Largely because of injuries, it was hard for Golden to decipher which receivers beyond projected starters LaRon Byrd and Travis Benjamin will help fill the void of Leonard Hankerson. Tommy Streeter made huge progress but still was inconsistent at times. He struggled in the spring game after being MVP of the previous scrimmage.

Kendal Thompkins had seven catches for 81 yards and a touchdown in the spring game, but did nothing the previous two scrimmages. Aldarius Johnson, Allen Hurns, Davon Johnson and Ben Bruneau missed extensive time due to injury.

H-backs Maurice Hagens and John Calhoun and walk-on safety Andrew Swasey probably will be a factor in one way or another this fall. Golden continually praised the three. Swasey impressed with an interception in the spring game.

Also, converted safety JoJo Nicolas appears to have locked up one of the starting cornerback spots. Lee Chambers, Brandon McGee and Thomas Finnie will fight for the other. There's less concern at middle linebacker than there was entering spring. Jordan Futch and Jimmy Gaines are capable replacements with Colin McCarthy gone.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/fl-miami-football-what-we-learned-04220110424,0,787199.story

[Ohio_Cane]

SOUP - Emailed you back. Need the twitter info from you whenever you get a chance. Also, let me know in your email if you want anything specific done with it on a daily basis or anything.

[]_[]

[NativeCane]

CFT

Another day, another Gator weed drama

Posted by John Taylor on April 24, 2011, 11:38 PM EDT

Getty Images
Saturday, we were comfortable in confirming that Florida cornerback Janoris Jenkins really, really enjoys his marijuana. Allegedly.

Sunday, on Easter, we can apparently confirm that Jenkins ain’t the only Gator who has his come-to-Jesus moment one toke at a time. Allegedly.

According to some outstanding holiday work by Jason Lieser of the Palm Beach Post, two other current members of the Florida Gators football program have been cited for pot since Will Muschamp — he of the “Florida way” — was officially hired as UF’s new head coach. Specifically, Lieser writes the following:

Red-shirt freshman Chris Martin and red-shirt sophomore Kedric Johnson were charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana under 20 grams in separate incidents earlier this year.

The Gainesville Police Department arrested Martin, who is expected to compete for a starting job at defensive end or linebacker this summer, on Jan. 29 after officers detected the scent of the drug coming from a vehicle. Martin was in the car and revealed approximately two grams of cannabis when the police confronted him, the report said.

Johnson, a back-up linebacker, was arrested on Jan. 9 after an officer pulled him over for speeding and smelled marijuana. He produced two grams of it from his glove compartment, the police report said.

And before y’all start, let me stress again that I get it. I get the fact that some people (wink wink, nudge nudge) believe that marijuana should be legalized, and that there’s money being thrown away via both pot prosecution and the lack of taxes on something that’s more benign than alcohol.

That doesn’t change the fact that it’s currently illegal. And the fact that this latest revelation puts the first-year UF coach square in the crosshairs of public perception.

“There’s a certain thing that I’m going to refer to as the Florida way, and that’s the way they need to act, and that’s the way they need to represent our university,” Muschamp said when he was hired in December. “I’m going to demand that, and I think that you’ll understand in time that that’s something that’s very important to me.”

What’ll be interesting is how “very important to me” it’ll be when it comes time to put those first-day words into action; how important “they need to act… need to represent our university” is to Muschamp’s new culture, and how much, and to what degree, “I’m going to demand that.”

[Da U N Houston]

At least they are smart enough to kep less then 2 grams.....they're dumbasses, but not stupid???? (cUp half full)

[j.w.]

Ok, so is this basketball coach hire a good one?

Posted by: CGNC | April 25, 2011 at 11:01 AM

I think so, CG. He's won at the small level, pays attention to detail, has a system that may take some time to implement but works well, and communicates well.

[Ohio_Cane]

Extremely passionate speech by Irvin before last Spring Game.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WqPin-1C3-Y&feature=youtu.be

[Canechic]

The NCAA is a huge crock of sh!t! I really give up stressing over it anymore. No one (ESPN,ABC,CBS,THE COLLEGES THEMSELVES) have the balls to stand up to the NCAA.

NCAA=football mafia!

[Montreal-Cane]

Ohio State should be put on probation period...Who cares about erasing past wins...This is ridiculous. A two year probation and a cut of 30 scholarships (15 per year) would be appropriate.

[Old Skool]

Ex NBA PG Kenny Anderson is rumored to become an assistant BB coach. Apparently he and Larranage are good buds and Kenny lives in Miami

At the very least that should help with recruiting.

[SOUP]

Tressel lied.

Gators smoke weed.

CGNC has a tan.

Wait a second, what was that last one?

[Old Skool]

A tan eh. Is that with or without the lines?

[Montreal-Cane]

Larranaga an impact hire for Miami

By Dick Vitale

ESPN.com

Down at Miami, the administration hit a grand slam, baby! That's right, the Hurricanes hit a long ball over the left field fence when they got Jim Larranaga as the new hoops coach.

Larranaga brings a wealth of experience to South Beach. He built George Mason into one of the premier mid-major programs in America, a la Butler and Gonzaga. Larranaga is a flat-out winner. He started at George Mason in 1997 and turned down a number of offers over the years, including one by his alma mater, Providence. He led the Patriots to five NCAA berths during his tenure there, including one this season when his team went 27-7.

Jim Larranaga took mid-major George Mason to the Final Four. Can he do the same for an underwhelming Miami program?He could have stayed at George Mason and been comfortable with a solid nucleus returning. Instead he decided to compete in the tough ACC, going up against the likes of Coach K and Roy Williams. The opportunity to build another winner was enticing. It also helped that he had a number of family members living in Florida already.

People don't realize what a competitor he was as a player at Providence. He was so fierce, a solid ball handler who attacked defenses. A total package, Larranaga has great knowledge of the game and a terrific personality that should sell at a program that has had moderate success.

He will be able to recruit and sell the value of playing in the ACC.

Larranaga has experience in the league. He did an outstanding job as an assistant on several very good teams at Virginia under the tutelage of Terry Holland.

He also has great experience as a head coach at Bowling Green and George Mason. Overall, he is approaching 500 Ws in his coaching career.

I firmly believe that when you look at all of the hires made, and there have been over 40 coaching changes for next season already, this will rank as a coup. Larranaga is a great communicator and recruiter, and he manages game situations and practice well. He gets an A+ in all of those areas.

Larranaga will give a boost to the Miami program. Hey, South Beach, LeBron and D. Wade, you have some company in basketball circles, baby! As a football fan, though not an expert like the GameDay crew, I think Miami has done well in hiring lately. I have seen what Al Golden did at Temple, and he can make an impression on the Hurricane football scene.

The Miami administration has scored a doubleheader with Golden and Larranaga.

[Montreal-Cane]

USA TODAY/ESPN Top 25 coaches' baseball poll

April 25, 2011

Rank School (first-place votes) Record Points Last week

1 Virginia (28) 40-4 772 1

2 Vanderbilt (3) 35-5 728 3

3 South Carolina 31-8 722 2

4 Florida 31-10 670 5

5 Texas 30-10 616 4

6 Texas A&M 29-11 549 7

7 Arizona State 28-9 532 9

8 Florida State 31-10 512 11

9 Oregon State 29-8 499 8

10 TCU 29-11 463 14

11 Georgia Tech 30-11 440 12

12 Cal State-Fullerton 28-11 436 6

13 Oklahoma 29-11 388 15

14 North Carolina 32-10 382 10

15 Fresno State 28-7 357 13

16 Arkansas 28-11 262 16

17 Southern Mississippi 30-9 257 21

18 UC Irvine 26-10 255 18

19 Miami (Fla.) 27-13 225 24

[Montreal-Cane]

5 out the 19 best college baseball teams are from the ACC.

[Montreal-Cane]

The staff of Baseball America determines the Top 25 rankings. Records indicated are through games of April 25 and do not include ties.

Rk. Team W-L Last Week Prev.
1. Virginia 40-4 4-1 1
2. South Carolina 31-8 3-1 2
3. Oregon State 29-8 2-1 3
4. Vanderbilt 35-5 3-0 4
5. Florida 31-10 3-1 5
6. Texas A&M 29-11 3-1 6
7. Texas 30-10 3-1 7
8. Arizona State 28-9 3-0 9
9. Florida State 31-10 5-0 10
10. Cal State Fullerton 28-11 1-2 8
11. Texas Christian 29-11 4-0 11
12. Georgia Tech 30-11 3-1 13
13. Fresno State 28-7 3-2 12
14. Oklahoma 29-11 3-1 17
15. Southern Mississippi 30-9 3-1 19
16. Miami 27-13 3-1 25

[Montreal-Cane]

SOUP god article once again.

We may have the trifecta...Golden-Eichorst-Larranaga.

[Montreal-Cane]

I didn't say you were a god...just good...lol

[AlpharettaCane]

Can someone out there in 'space land provide some details on this Jimmy Gains dude?

Did I miss something along the way somewhere? Where'd he come from, background, HS career, strengths/weaknesses, etc.

If he walked in and sat down at our dinner table I wouldn't know him from the mailman.

[Hurri]

Gaines is a GA kid, right? Or was that Shayon Green?

Either way.....He was excellent in the Duke game last year. Made several good tackles. Looks likes he could be coached up to a decent backer'.

[AlpharettaCane]

Hurri - was that Gaines or Nelson that had a break-out type of game against Duke?

This guy (Gaines) may be our starting MLB and I know zilch about him - kinda embarassing!

I see Spence, Futch and Buchanon as the three starters.

[Old Skool]

I think Gaines is the guy from Buffalo. Shaydon is the GA kid.

[Old Skool]

More than you ever want to know about Jimmy Gaines

With two recruiting weekends left before National Signing Day, the University of Miami is close to wrapping up its 2010 class. But there are a few players they still are trying to land, including someone relatively new to the recruiting radar: Buffalo (N.Y.) Canisius High linebacker James Gaines.

The 6-3, 216-pound senior grew up a huge fan of former Hurricanes running back Willis McGahee and is one of a few uncommitted recruits visiting the Hurricanes this weekend with his family. According to his coach, Brandon Harris, Gaines was all set to go to the nearby University of Buffalo before coach Turner Gill bolted for the University of Kansas on Dec. 13. Shortly after Gill left, Gaines reopened his recruiting and sent out highlight tapes across the country.

Using his connection to the University of Miami, Harris quickly got the attention of Hurricanes defensive coordinator John Lovett, who made the trip up to Buffalo, made an in-home visit and watched Gaines play basketball. The Hurricanes have been among several BCS schools in hot pursuit of Gaines ever since.

"It's been crazy since we sent those tapes out around Christmas," Harris said. "Being in Buffalo, we're in an area where some of the top schools in the country drive right past. But Jimmy is a diamond in the rough. He's a great player. He wouldn't be down [at UM] visiting right now if he wasn't. Oklahoma wouldn't be calling either if he wasn't good. In fact, they're a little irritated because there just aren't enough recruiting weekends left. Right now, I'd say it's either going to be Arkansas, Miami or Buffalo."

Gaines can't be found on Rivals.com, ESPN or Scout.com. But he comes highly recommended by Harris, who was coached at Idaho by former Hurricanes receivers coach Curtis Johnson. Harris has had plenty of run-ins with the Hurricanes since his playing days. At Brophy Prep in Arizona, he coached Raiders tight end Zach Miller (who was recruited by UM) and current Hurricanes redshirt freshman tight end Billy Sanders.

According to the team stats on MaxPreps.com, Gaines had 154 tackles (108 solo), three sacks, an interception while playing inside and outside linebacker. On offense, he played tight end and running back and finished with 15 catches for 270 yards and three scores.

"Usually when I call Miami and tell them I got one, they know I'm not just throwing any player at out there," Harris said. "Jimmy brings a lot intensity and a lot thud when he hits people. When I called over there, I said he's another Sean Taylor. Jimmy can hit. Miami loves his frame and the fact he's a 4.5 kid. Once [strength and conditioning coach Andreu] Swasey gets a hold of him, he'll be exactly what they want. He can bench over 300 now and squat in the 400s. His mom was a track star and his dad played football and basketball. And he's got the grades too with a 3.5 GPA and a test score in the four digits."

Harris said if UM offers Gaines a scholarship, he's almost sure he'll commit and cancel his scheduled trip next week to Arkansas. "When I told him the University of Miami was coming in, he was beaming," Harris said. "The U is his dream school."

Buffalo (NY) Canisius High School OLB James Gaines was eating dinner with his fellow recruits during a Cane official visit when coach Randy Shannon beckoned him and his family over to a corner table.

"What do you want to do?" Shannon asked Gaines.

"I want to be a Hurricane," Gaines replied.

And, just like that, it was done. The former Buffalo commitment who says he thought he had "a slim to none" chance of landing a UM offer when he sent out his highlight tape a month ago was a Hurricane.

"After I committed everyone was congratulating me," Gaines said. "It was pretty crazy."

The 6-foot-3, 205-pounder with 4.5-second speed opened up his recruitment after Buffalo coach Turner Gill left to take the Kansas job. If not for that, Gaines says he was staying in Buffalo.

"If no coaches leave, I was fully committed to them," Gaines said. "Coach Gill, he told me that he fully committed to me, and then I was fully committed to him. I wasn't even going to talk to anyone else."

Gaines adds that "Miami received my highlight tape probably two weeks ago. Coach (John) Lovett, he received it and he liked me. He came up to Buffalo and talked to me to see if I was what it said on the film. And apparently I was. He pitched it to coach Shannon and I went down there for this weekend."

Why did he pick Miami to send his tape to?

"I sent it all over," Gaines said. "Me and my coaches talking, he set up a list of schools I wanted to send it to. They responded."

Gaines is now a 100 percent done deal to Miami. He canceled a visit he had set up for next weekend to Arkansas.

It's an improbable story of a recruit going from a program with little national name recognition to one of the nation's most recognized programs.

"I haven't even sat down to take any time to think about it," Gaines said.

What made UM right for him?

"The people," Gaines said. "The locker room actually - the players and coaches, everyone. It's a family down there. They really showed me a lot of love. That was one thing. And it's hot all the time - I went down and it was 75 degrees in January. It was 28 degrees when I left. It's a big difference."

Gaines played linebacker, safety, tight end, tailback and receiver at Canisius this past season. He finished this past season with 61 rushing yards and a touchdown, 15 catches for 270 yards and two scores along with 154 tackles (108 solo), three sacks, an interception and fumble recovery.

"They said I have a shot to play right away because at the linebacker position they're kind of thin," Gaines said. "Coach Lovett said if I work hard and improve in camp then the best player is going to play. That's all I want is a shot."

Gaines is already fully qualified, and he will arrive in June.

"I just want to make a name for myself being from Buffalo, N.Y., not Hurricane country," Gaines said. "I want to represent Buffalo."

[SOUP]

5 out the 19 best college baseball teams are from the ACC.

Posted by: Montreal-Cane | April 25, 2011 at 07:43 PM

WOW!

BTW...any Canespacers out there wanna go to the UM baseball games against USF game on Wednesday night @ 6 PM or the FSU game @ 7 PM on Friday night?

Meet me at The Titanic ONE hour before the game and I will give U 2 FREE tickets.

Can I make it any more simple than that?

[SOUP]

Jimmy Gaines interview from last February on Canespace:

http://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2010/02/who-is-jimmy-gaines.html

[Hurri]

Alph,

I don't recall Nelson ever setting foot on the field.

[solarcane]

Jimmy Gaines wait a second, didn't he produce and engineer Steve Miller,Stevie Ray Vaughn, Santana, John Lee Hooker, and ever other great rocker?

[CaneRock]

Alph, it was Kelvin Cain who balled out in the Duke game. I think Cain came from Portland,Oregon via California, the Fresno area if I'm not mistaken...

[Hurri]

That's right Canerock....It was Cain.

[canesteeler]

Kenny Anderson lives in Pembroke Pines Fl and he has voiced a desire to coach college basketball. He went to ST Thomas University (my alma mater) to finish his college course work.

[SOUP]

94 Kelvin Cain

Class:
Sophomore

Hometown:
Clovis, Calif.

High School:
Buchanan HS

Height / Weight:
6-3 / 230

Position:
Linebacker

Experience:
1L

2010 (FRESHMAN): Played in 11 games, starting four... Recorded 12 tackles, nine of which were unassisted... Recorded one sack on the year... Had a career-high nine tackles against Duke...

HIGH SCHOOL: Rated the 10th best outside linebacker in the state of California ... As a senior, recorded 80 tackles and nine sacks while also returning eight kickoffs for 150 yards ... Played at Portland (OR) Grant High School, where he finished with 61 tackles and seven sacks as a junior.

[SOUP]

Ohio...email sent.

[Hurri]

This one certified me as a Cane 4Life....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQHIPVIN5OI

Prior to this, I just "Liked them because they played in the same city as the Dolphins."

[Ohio_Cane]

Ohio...email sent.

Posted by: SOUP | April 25, 2011 at 10:53 PM
---------------------------------------------

I'll check it tomorrow morning. That's my work email, so can't access it from home.

[OhioCane]

Here's the couch and U blanket in the man cave

[OhioCane]

Link didn't paste, sorry - http://i155.photobucket.com/albums/s291/wes02/ef4092a9.jpg

[canechic]

OMG Sharks win, okay now I can get some sleep until the next series starts!