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You Always Remember Your First Time

The University of Miami football program was mired in mediocrity for the longest time. Previous coaches names Tate, Curci, Elliott, Selmer and Saban tried to make it work but couldn't get it done.

And then, all of a sudden, it happened.

Along came a coach with a really long last name that was really hard to spell.

That name was Schnellenberger.

That name changed everything that has to do with University of Miami football.

That name changed my life. And most likely yours too if you are reading this.

He coached guys named Kelly, Kosar and Testaverde who made Miami QB U.

Most importantly, he brought us our first National Championship in 1983.

To Schnellenberger we owe our history, our fandom and our incredible success.

There is only one first time. In any thing, at any time. Howard was that guy.

Howard Schellenerger gave us a dream that lives on and that's all because of that pipe smoking, tie wearing, bear of a man.

And for that we will forever and eternally be grateful.

Thanks Howard and rest in peace.

Seminoles Spear Hurricanes

The No. 5 Canes fell to Florida State, 13-1, in the opening contest of this weekend’s three-game set at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field.

“It is one game. We’ve got to be able to turn the page and get right back at it,” head coach Gino DiMare said. “The opening game against NC State, we played the worst game of the year, I think, and then we came back and were able to turn it around. We have lost the opening game of the series but were still able to come back. It’s just one of those things. It’s tough when you fall that far behind. Their pitcher is good and we knew he was going to be tough. You’re kind of in an uphill battle.:

The game got off to a tough start for the Hurricanes (9-5, 5-4 ACC), as the Seminoles put together a three-run rally in the opening inning against starter Alejandro Rosario. The runs snapped a 14-inning home scoreless streak for the true freshman, who entered the game with a 2-0 record and a 0.00 ERA at Mark Light Field.

“It was his worst outing as a Cane and his balls were up,” DiMare said of Rosario. “I think his composure maybe, too. He didn’t settle down and he was a little hyped up when they got some runs on him, big runs there. He’s got to learn from this experience and understand that he’s got to make adjustments, and he’s got to be able to relax and pitch.”

“They played good defense when they had to make plays and they swung the bat,” DiMare said. “We didn’t play well. They executed everything they did. Drag bunts, moved guys over, scored with less than two outs and a man on third, they double cut and they threw us out there on a big play. Everything on our side, we couldn’t execute double cuts, we were throwing balls around, dropping them, letting them on the ground, letting guys take extra bases and didn’t play good defense and obviously didn’t swing the bat well. FSU, I thought played very well and we just didn’t play. So, we’ve got to turn the page and be ready to go tomorrow. Still can win the series. Baseball is a crazy game. We’ve got to be mentally tough to be able to turn the page.”

The Seminoles (8-6, 5-5 ACC) continued their success against Rosario in the second, plating four more runs before DiMare called for right-hander Jordan Dubberly out of Miami’s bullpen with runners on second and third and one out. Crowell hit a sacrifice fly to push home Nelson, capping a five-run second.

“I expect him to be fine,” DiMare said of Rosario. “This is part of baseball. He’s not going to go out every outing and dominate. That’s just not how it works. I expect him to be fine. He’s still our guy. I think this is a very good learning experience for him, and moving forward, he’ll be our guy next week on Friday.”

Read more at hurricanesports.com

Canes Crash ACC Party

The University of Miami men’s basketball team edged Pittsburgh, 79-73, Tuesday afternoon at the Greensboro Coliseum to begin ACC Tournament action.

The No. 13-seeded Hurricanes, despite playing with only six available scholarship student-athletes, used a balanced scoring attack to defeat the No. 12-seeded Panthers. All five starters scored 12-plus points, led by 20 from sophomore guard Isaiah Wong.

“I’m just really proud of our guys for the energy and effort they brought to the game,” Miami head coach Jim Larrañaga said. “They played with a great deal of confidence. They executed the game plan extremely well. Probably the most impressive thing is they shared the ball so well; we scored 79 points and had 17 assists, which really hasn’t been there all year.”

The Hurricanes used a 19-7 run during which they made 7-of-10 field goals to take a seven-point lead, 31-24, with 4:04 remaining in the first half. Pittsburgh (10-12, 6-10 ACC) pulled back within two, but a jump-shot by Wong in the closing seconds gave Miami (9-16, 4-15 ACC) a 40-36 edge at the break.

Both sides shot well from 3-point range in the opening 20 minutes, with the Panthers posting a 6-of-14 (42.9 percent) mark, including a 3-of-4 clip from senior guard Nike Sibande, and the Hurricanes notching 5-of-13 (38.5 percent).

Early in the second half, Pittsburgh went on a 16-8 run during which it made three 3-pointers in under three minutes, to take the lead, 55-52 with 11:42 to play. Miami answered right back with a 10-3 burst to go in front, 62-58, with 5:33 remaining, but the Panthers surged back 66-64, with 3:36 on the clock.

Once again, though, the Hurricanes countered. Miami scored nine straight points—three each from Wong, redshirt senior center Nysier Brooks and redshirt senior guard Kameron McGusty—and took a game-high seven-point advantage, 73-66, with just 55 seconds to play.

The Panthers did not get any closer than four down the stretch, as Miami held on for the victory. The Hurricanes made five of their seven field-goal attempts and Wong connected on four straight free throws in the last 30 seconds.

Wong, who now co-leads the ACC with 10 20-point games, shot 9-of-10 from the stripe setting a new season high and finishing one shy of his top mark in attempts. Sophomore forward Anthony Walker posted 14 points and a team-high nine rebounds in a career-best 39 minutes, while McGusty also notched 14 points. All of them dished out four assists, tying a career high for Walker.

Senior guard Elijah Olaniyi also recorded 14 points, adding six rebounds and a season-high-tying three assists, while Brooks finished with 12 points and a career-high-tying three steals.

“All five starters really executed their role extremely well,” Larra؜ñaga said. “We got some good interior baskets from Nysier Brooks and Anthony Walker. We had some nice threes from Kam, Isaiah and Elijah.”

Freshman guard Femi Odukale paced the Panthers with a career-high 28 points. He shot 11-of-16 from the floor, including 4-of-8 from deep. Sibande finished with a season-best 24 points, logging a 9-of-15 clip from the field and a 5-of-8 mark beyond the arc. Redshirt sophomore guard Ithiel Horton added 10 points.

Sophomore forward Justin Champagnie, a First Team All-ACC performer who is second in the ACC in scoring and first in rebounding, totaled 10 points and 11 rebounds. However, Miami held him to just 5-of-20 shooting, including 1-of-8 on 3-pointers. He made just three of his first 17 attempts through 37 minutes.

“You’ve got to give Anthony Walker a lot of credit because he was really the only one that guarded him,” Larrañaga said. “Justin Chanmpagnie is a dynamic player offensively. He can do a lot of different things. He’s a terrific offensive rebounder, but today was not his today. Today was our day.”

Free-throw shooting proved to be the difference in the game, as Miami finished 22-of-28 (78.6 percent) to tie a season best in makes. The Hurricanes made 11 of their first 12 attempts from the line. Meanwhile, the Panthers registered a 5-of-14 (35.7 percent) mark at the stripe after opening just 1-of-6.

In addition, Miami had 17 assists, its second-most ever in an ACC Tournament outing, and just six turnovers, while Pittsburgh notched nine assists and 14 turnovers. The Hurricanes logged a 22-6 edge in points off giveaways, as well as 19-4 cushion in fast-break points.

Miami now takes on fifth-seeded Clemson Wednesday at 2:30 p.m., live on ACC Network from the Greensboro Coliseum, in the second round of the ACC Tournament.

To keep up with the University of Miami men’s basketball team on social media, follow @CanesHoops on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Canes Come Back On Wolfpack

The Miami Hurricanes were in a familiar situation Saturday and a familiar name helped the Canes take the lead for good inside Doak Field at Dail Park.

Christian Del Castillo’s RBI groundout in the top of the eighth gave Miami (4-4, 2-3 ACC) its third and final lead of the day, helping the Hurricanes even the series at NC State (4-5, 1-4 ACC) with a 6-4 victory.

“The season has got so many ups and downs, you’d have to get to the end to see if this is a turning point for us,” head coach Gino DiMare said. “We certainly hope it is in a positive manner because that means the rest of the season is going to go well and we’ve learned and we’ve grown and we’ve matured. Bottom line is it’s one game. It feels a lot better because we played a lot better than yesterday, but we’ve got to be ready to play tomorrow. This means nothing if we come out and don’t play well tomorrow.”

With the game tied at 4, Yohandy Morales led off the top of the eighth with a ground-rule double to right. The true freshman advanced to third on a wild pitch and Miami had runners at the corners when lefty Canaan Smith walked Alex Toral with one out in the inning.

After an incredible play by first baseman Austin Murr to retire Del Castillo, Morales evaded the tag at the plate to snap the stalemate and out Miami ahead, 5-4.

“I was just staying confident up in the box, trying to hit the ball hard,” Del Castillo said. “I was pumped up when I saw Yoyo scored. That was a huge run to get ahead and brought some more energy to the team.”

Miami turned to closer Carson Palmquist to protect the one-run lead and the lefty pitched out of a jam, stranding a pair of base runners after snaring a J.T. Jarrett line drive up the middle to end the eighth.

“I’m just going out there and being confident and believing in myself and the eight other guys on the field with me,” Palmquist said. “It was a huge win for us. We were down bad yesterday and this team battled back We never call it quits and that showed today.”

True freshman CJ Kayfus picked a great time to get his first career hit, smoking a leadoff solo homer to left-center off Wolfpack reliever Dalton Feeney that gave the Hurricanes some breathing room, 6-4, and Palmquist retired the side in order to earn his third save of the season.

“I was trying to stay within myself and let everything happen on its own,” Kayfus said. “I was planning on attacking early on in the at-bat, so I got excited seeing the first pitch fastball. After hitting it I thought, ‘This might have a chance to get out’ and it did.”

Much like Friday’s series opener, Jordan Lala led off the game with a hit-by-pitch and came around to score to get the Hurricanes on the scoreboard in the first inning for the sixth consecutive game. After Lala scored on a Morales groundout, Adrian Del Castillo had an RBI single to right that sent home Anthony Vilar to make it 2-0 in favor of the Hurricanes.

“Yoyo is hitting in an obviously important spot for us there in the three hole,” DiMare said. “That was a big at-bat where he battled and it went to two strikes there and he put the ball in play up the middle, and it not only knocked in the run but it moved the runner over for Del coming up and then he gets the line drive hit. That was great situational hitting, good job by the guys in front of them to get on base. We’ve been great out of the gate in the first inning. I wish we could duplicate the first inning every inning, that’d be great.”

“I thought Jake did a solid job,” DiMare said. “He should have gotten out of the inning there. He got the ground ball for a double play. Anthony [Arguelles] did a great job because he’s had a couple iffy outings and that was a great job to come out and do that. That’s what we need from those guys. Let’s see if we can get some consistency. The whole thing in our sport is being consistent, get a consistent team out there that can play every day and be consistent.”

Miami and NC State will close out the weekend series Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m. True freshman Victor Mederos will make his third collegiate start for the Canes opposite NC State right-hander Matt Willadsen.

From hurricanesports.com. Read more there on UM baseball.

Chomp On This!

Winning a rivalry series is always special and the Miami Hurricanes did just that Sunday afternoon, taking the series finale over the top-ranked Florida Gators with an 8-6 victory inside Florida Ballpark.

The No. 11 Hurricanes (2-1) came into Gainesville for their annual three-game tilt against rival Florida (1-2). Miami nearly came back to win Friday’s opener before a resilient comeback win on Saturday. Sunday’s victory closed out the Hurricanes’ first series win over Florida since taking two-of-three in 2014 and was Miami’s first series victory in Gainesville since sweeping the Gators in 2009.

“It was a big, big series to start the year off and we know it was going to be a big test,” head coach Gino DiMare said. “The big thing I took away, especially the first few nights, is just the fact that our players never gave up. Even in the first game, we lost but we kept battling, and I think it carried over to the second game. We scored three runs in the last inning to tie it and that gave us the chance to go to extra innings and win it and taking that game gave us the chance to win the series today. It was nice to come out and get a big lead, but you just know it’s never going to be over. That’s obviously a very good program, they’re going to keep fighting and we were able to finish it there at the end. It was a total team effort from a lot of people, a lot of guys got their feet wet in this series for the first time, a lot of better veteran guys played well and I’m just so, so happy for our players and our program.”

After going down 0-2, leadoff batter Jordan Lala was hit in the back by a 1-2 breaking ball from Florida starter Hunter Barco. After Lala stole second, Yohandy Morales singled up the middle to put runners at the corners with one out and Miami standout Adrian Del Castillo at the plate. The third-year hitting machine ripped a two-run double and Alex Toral followed with an RBI single to right that sent Del Castillo home from second to cap a three-run first inning by the Hurricanes.

Stepping on the mound for the first time as a Hurricane, Victor Mederos showed why he is one of the top true freshmen pitchers in the country. The right-hander settled in after giving up a leadoff double to Jacob Young, striking out the side in first collegiate inning.

Miami’s offense got going again in the second, with Tony Jenkins leading off the frame with a walk and stolen base before scoring from third on a two-out line drive off the bat of Anthony Vilar that Florida shortstop Josh Rivera could not handle and resulted in a 4-0 Canes’ lead. The error extended the inning and the Hurricanes took advantage, running up Barco’s pitch count by sending three more batters to the plate in the inning.

The Hurricanes led off the third inning with their first homer of the season, as Raymond Gil crushed a 2-2- offering from Barco well beyond the 380-foot sign in left-center field. Gil, who delivered the game-winning hit in the 13th inning on Saturday, gave Miami a five-run lead after just three innings.

And Miami’s offense kept firing against Barco in the fourth, with Morales lacing a triple into the right field corner that drove in Lala to make it 6-0. Del Castillo followed with a hit-by-pitch, and Barco was lifted with runners at the corners and one out in the fourth. The Canes made Barco’s first start of the season a forgettable one for the second-year lefty, as he allowed eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits over just 3.1 innings pitched.

Right-hander Hunter Mink replaced Barco on the mound and the Hurricanes had success against the Gators reliever, loading the bases before Christian Del Castillo smacked a two-out, bases-loaded two-run single that made it 8-0.

“It’s huge to win this series,” Del Castillo said. “It means a lot to me, especially that I’m playing with my brother. It’s a once in a lifetime kind of thing. I’m just glad to be a part of it and to fight with my brothers along my side. I’m very happy to be here.”

“We had a meeting the night before the opening game and I said, ‘look, we’re not putting on any rings this weekend. Nobody’s going to crown us champions after one series, but our expectation is to come in here and win the series,’” DiMare said. “I thought we just did an excellent job — everybody, coaches, players, everyone — of just staying very relaxed and focused on just playing a full game. Whatever happens, we’re going to lay it all out on the line and everybody’s going to play their tails off.”

Mederos’ debut was a good one, as the true freshman held Florida to two runs (one earned) on seven hits while striking out five Gators over 4.2 innings.

“For his first outing, I thought he threw really well in that environment and playing against that team,” DiMare said. “I think both him and Alejandro Rosario, our two freshmen, really did a solid job. They’re only going to get better coming out of a performance and experience like this weekend here against the number one team in the country. Those two guys, I think they did a very, very good job for their first outing as freshmen, first college start as freshmen.”

Miami stranded a baserunner in the top of the eighth and Florida appeared poised to score with runners at the corners and one out against Miami reliever Ben Wanger. But freshman first baseman CJ Kayfus snared a Thompson line drive and tagged Rivera to complete the inning-ending double play and preserve Miami’s two-run lead.

DiMare turned to his closer in the ninth and Carson Palmquist shut the door in the ninth to pick up his first career save and clinch the series for the Hurricanes. Arguelles also made history, picking up his first win as a Cane.

“I just always want to be there for my team and be the guy that gets to pitch in the toughest situations,” Palmquist said. “When you get the feeling of pitching in a huge game, you don’t worry how your arm or legs feel. It means an unbelievable amount to me to get my first save and help our team win this series. I know everyone who is a Miami fan or ex-player is going crazy about us beating the Gators and I am glad I could be a part of it.”

Miami heads back to Coral Gables for its first home series of the 2021 season. The Hurricanes will open conference play with a three-game set against Virginia Tech beginning Friday, Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.

From hurricanesports.com read more here:

https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/02/21/gators-chomped-miami-takes-series-at-no-1-florida/

Gimme Shelter

Sometimes even the strongest amongst us needs some shelter from life's storms. Today, our good friend VA Cane needs that and more. Now here he is, coming to you, in his own words, in his time of need...

Since you all are family, I mean that, let me share a little about my family. February has become a tough month for me over time. Good things, and challenging things.

My Dad's Birthday was Valentines Day. He was my hero, so Sunday thinking of him being gone was tough. The 15th, my son turned 26. He's the apple of my eye, my son I pass the torch to and a great kid!

The 18th my Mom will have been gone 2 years. She was the smartest person I have ever known. You could never fool that woman and she was very special to me. So, that's a start I prepared for this February.

But it gets tougher, much tougher. Friday night. my niece Tabatha Ann was murdered in her home by her live in of 10 years in front of a 5 and 7 year old. Never had something that tragic that close...man would never fight another man, then beats her to death in front of their children. I have to write the articles,  preach the funeral.

My 3 week old granddaughter, 3rd one behind Kensley and Lillian, her name is Elizabeth Ray, we call her Lizzy Ray, was ill during east coast ice storm. Went to the doctor yesterday, breathing problems, mucous, showing signs of cystic fibrosis. So folks, the VAC has a very full agenda, and as always everybody looks to me for answers, faith, leadership, poise. Not always easy with the regular stuff of the job, February thoughts, and murder and serious illness on top of it.

And we lost my mother in law in July to Alzhimers, so if I seem a little edgy, I dont feel bad, and was not trying to be a negative nancy, but you have some insight as to why!

You know old VAC, at one time. Long ago, the smallest starting corner in the nation in the 70s. Now the patriarch of a family,and while challenged with issues way more pressing than the field, will always be there for all. In the mix for the championships of the game calle Life!!!

I always advise people a simple saying: Let Go Let God. It works folks, cause Faith is what you have when there is nothing left to hang onto! Thanks for the time and will keep you all advised.

Please pray for my niece and granddaughter. I know you all will!

God bless all of you!

https://www.wtvr.com/news/local-news/henrico-murder-suspect-faced-more-than-a-dozen-domestic-violence-charges-over-the-last-year

Learning To Fly

My friend and former look alike Tom Petty wrote a song with this title. Of course it was about something other than coaching college football. But it has its relative application to head coach Manny Diaz at the University of Miami.

Well, I started out down a dirty road
Started out all alone
And the sun went down as I crossed the hill
And the town lit up, the world got still

I'm learning to fly but I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

Well, the good old days may not return
And the rocks might melt and the sea may burn

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings (Learning to fly)
Coming down (Learning to fly)
Is the hardest thing (Learning to fly)

Well, some say life will beat you down
Break your heart, steal your crown
So I've started out for God knows where
I guess I'll know when I get there

I'm learning to fly around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
But I ain't got wings
Coming down is the hardest thing

I'm learning to fly (Learning to fly)
Around the clouds
But what goes up (Learning to fly)
Must come down

I Think It's About Forgiveness

I got the call today, I didn't wanna hear

But I knew that it would come
An old, true friend of ours was talkin on the phone
She said you'd found someone

 

And I thought of all the bad luck,
And the struggles we went through
And how I lost me and you lost you
What are these voices outside loves open door
Make us throw off our contentment
And beg for something more?

 

 

Butch Davis and Greg Schiano, if only you both would have stayed at Miami and continued recruiting and coaching the way you did leading up to the 1999 season and beyond, eventually to build the greatest team ever assembled on a college football field in 2001, you could have been the Bear Bryant and Nick Saban of your day. But you got greedy and moved on. Still, we forgive you.

I'm learning to live without you now
But I miss you sometimes
The more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I knew, I'm learning again

 

I've been tryin to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thoughts seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

 

 

Larry Coker we all loved you then, but now as we look back, most of the UM fans don't love you now. You took over a uber talented team, with incredible internal leadership, and won a National Championship in 2001. For that we applaud you. Then you ran the Mercedes you were given into a brick wall at a 100 MPH by your failure to recruit. But still, we forgive you.

 

These times are so uncertain
There's a yearning undefined
And people filled with rage
We all need a little tenderness
How can love survive in such a graceless age?

 

 

Head Coach Randy Shannon was so absolutely sure to be a success at Miami that is was unquestionable. He had played, coached and worked his way up through the ranks of his beloved and esteemed educational institution so much that he could not fail. Then he did, and badly. Randy, we appreciate and forgive you.

The trust and self-assurance that lead to happiness
They're the very things - we kill I guess
Pride and competition
Cannot fill these empty arms
And the work I put between us
You know it doesn't keep me warm

 

 

Al Golden came long and he appeared on the surface to be the real deal and a highly motivated and intelligent coach who might be able to get UM to the next level. He decided to wear a white shirt and orange tie as a Jo Pa disciple would have him do. He worked hard, he tried diligently, he cared deeply and then he failed miserably. He was sent packing, but still we forgive him too. 

 

I'm learning to live without you now

But I miss you, baby
And the more I know, the less I understand
All the things I thought I'd figured out
I have to learn again

 

 

There was no way ever in hell that experienced head coach Mark Richt, who came trotting down from Georgia, was ever going to fail once he was back at his alma mater in Coral Gables. It was a match made in Heaven for sure and without a doubt. He was smart, experienced and made for this very job. Until he wasn't just a few years later. Mark we love you. And we forgive you.

 

I've been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But everything changes
And my friends seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me anymore

 

 

Now UM fans have Manny Diaz at the helm of this seemingly rudderless ship. Storm winds continue to blow and cross currents rip at the very foundation of once was a great college football program. Manny has shown some promise during his brief tenure at Miami but serious flaws have also been exposed.

 

We are not sure where this coaching staff will wind up, but in the end if they do fail, we will forgive them too eventually I am sure.

 

There are people in your life who have come and gone
They let you down you know they hurt your pride
You better put it all behind you baby, life goes on
You keep carrying that anger, it'll eat you up inside

 

I've been trying to get down
To the heart of the matter
But my will gets weak
And my thought seem to scatter
But I think its about forgiveness
Even if, even if you don't love me

 

 

I have always loved the Miami Hurricanes since attending my first game at the Orange Bowl in 1973. And I always will love "The U". But the joy they gave me from 1983-2003 seems like a distant memory. I'd really like my joy back please.

 

I've been tryin to get down
To the heart of the matter
Because the flesh will get weak
And the ashes will scatter
So I'm thinkin about forgiveness

Even if, even if you don't love me anymore...

It's Over For Olsen

Greg Olsen, one of the most prolific pass-catching tight ends in NFL history, announced his retirement on Sunday.

Olsen, who spent the 2020 season with the Seahawks, announced the news on FOX prior to Sunday's NFC Championship game, officially bringing to an end a 14-year career with he Bears, Panthers and Seahawks. Olsen also announced that he will be part of FOX's broadcast team next season.

Olsen, a first-round pick by the Bears in 2007, was a three-time Pro-Bowler with the Carolina Panthers, and from 2014-2016 he was the first tight end in league history to post three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

Olsen had opportunities to pursue a broadcasting career after the Panthers released him following the 2019 season, but instead signed with Seattle hoping to make one last run at one of the few things missing from his impressive resume, a Super Bowl title.

Olsen's one season with Seattle saw him appear in 11 regular-season games, as well as Seattle's Wild Card loss to the Rams. A plantar fascia injury in November landed Olsen on injured reserve, but he was able to make it back before the end of the season. Olsen caught 24 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown as a Seahawk, and he finishes what could very well be a Hall of Fame career with 742 catches for 8,683 yards and 60 touchdowns.

Article from John Boyle at seahawks.com. Click here for more:

https://www.seahawks.com/news/greg-olsen-announces-retirement 

Deck The Halls

For Dan Morgan, sharing the news that he’d finally been selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame was emotional and special. There’s no doubt Morgan’s pending induction into the College Football Hall of Fame puts him in some very exclusive company.

According to the Hall, only 0.02 percent of college football players and coaches can claim the same honor. Of the 78 FBS players on this year’s ballot, Morgan was one of 11 first-team All-Americans to make the cut.

And despite Miami’s storied football history, Morgan will become just the ninth former player to join the Hall along with Bennie Blades, Don Bosseler, Ted Hendricks, Russell Maryland, Ed Reed, Vinny Testaverde, Gino Torretta and Arnold Tucker.

Former Hurricanes coaches Dennis Erickson, Andy Gustafson, Jack Harding and Jimmy Johnson are also enshrined and for Morgan – who is now the director of player personnel for the Buffalo Bills – having his name linked to those Miami greats is the stuff of dreams.

“I wanted to play at Miami ever since I was a little kid. To be able to go there and play linebacker there – there’s so many great linebackers that have come through there,” Morgan said. “I just wanted to live up to their expectations and be the best that I could be. It all worked out well and I’m just proud I could represent them in the Hall of Fame.”

Morgan – who was recruited out of Broward County’s Taravella High School as a fullback – more than lived up to those expectations once he switched to playing linebacker at Miami.

His 532 career tackles make him the Hurricanes’ all-time leader in that category. He led the team in tackles three of his four years on campus and in 2000, Morgan became the first player in history to sweep college football’s three major defensive awards in a single season when he won the Bednarik, Butkus and Nagurski Awards.

That same season, he was a unanimous First Team All-American and the BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year. He was a four-year starter at Miami and a three-time captain, becoming the first sophomore in Hurricanes history to earn that distinction.

After his stellar college career, Morgan was drafted 11^th by the Carolina Panthers in the 2001 NFL Draft and it was there that he earned All-Rookie team honors and was a 2004 Pro Bowl selection. He made a Super-Bowl record 18 tackles in the Panthers’ 32-29 loss to the Patriots – though coaches in Carolina tabulated that number even higher.

For more on Morgan click here: https://miamihurricanes.com/news/2021/01/11/morgan-celebrates-hall-of-fame-moment/