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!