Five Questions With Canespace: Chris Yandle

Today we take a completely new turn in the latest feature of what now appears to have become a very popular feature series known as "Five Questions With Canespace".  After interviewing several of the media reps that cover the Miami Hurricanes we now turn our attention to the staff at the University of Miami who often operate behind the curtain but without whose help the show simply could not go on. 

Canespacers meet Chris Yandle, the officially designated "new kid on the block", who is the new Director of Communications for the UM Athletic Department. Among his many other assigned duties Yandle handles the all important day-to-day operations of the media scheduling and interviewing process as it relates to the UM football team.

Chris joins the very creative and always progressive Chris Freet at UM, who was recently promoted to the job title of UM Associate Athletic Director for Communications and Marketing. Apparently, it really helps if your name is "Chris" if you are looking to get a job at UM these days?

So here are our five questions with Chris Yandle of the University of Miami:

Canespace: You just recently joined the UM SID staff as Communications Director. Help Miami fans get to know you a little better tell us about your professional experiences in college athletics and a little about your personal life in general before UM?

Yandle: My foray into college athletics began with a chance encounter while I was a freshman at the University of Southern Mississippi in 2000. I never knew sports information / media relations / athletic communications existed until I happen to walk into the Southern Miss SID office. I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted to do but I always knew I wanted to work in sports, college athletics in particular. Mike Montoro (then at USM, now at West Virginia) was the first person to give me my big break in the business. I still talk to Mike often to this day and he still tells me he knew I had a future in this.

Because of a family illness, I transferred to Louisiana-Lafayette in August 2002. It was at ULL where my career took a more professional path. Working at ULL was one of the best things for my career. Being a part of a small office, I had the opportunity – whether I wanted to or not – to learn everything. I spent three full years as an undergraduate student at ULL, working every sport and traveling with baseball.  

In addition to working in sports, I knew I wanted to write. I studied public relations at Louisiana-Lafayette (minor in history) and was the Outstanding Graduate in Communications. I moved to Huntington, W.Va., in July 2005 to start graduate school at Marshall University. I traveled with the football and softball programs for two years and I was there during the filming of “We Are Marshall”. It was a very cool experience to walk home to my apartment and spot Matthew McConaughey at the neighborhood Subway. 

After graduating from Marshall in 2007, I only had one professional option… and that was returning to Louisiana-Lafayette as Assistant SID. It worked out well personally because I was getting married in June 2007 and my wife still had a year left of school at ULL. I spent 13 months at ULL, working with volleyball, men’s basketball and baseball. I contemplated leaving the profession and pursuing a private career in public relations. That was until I got a phone call from Baylor. After only one year of full-time experience, I had the opportunity to be the men’s basketball SID for a Big 12 school and a rising powerhouse. 

In four years in Waco, I had the chance to experience two Elite Eight appearances for men’s basketball, four NBA draft picks, a WBB national championship, two bowl trips, a 10-win football season and a Heisman Trophy winner. I played a small role in the RG3 Heisman Trophy campaign last year in Waco. A year later and it still feels surreal looking back at the #YearoftheBear. I don’t think any school will ever experience that again.  

In June – while we were hosting the NCAA Super Regional in Waco – I got a phone call from Chris Freet, asking if I would be interested in joining the UM staff. I wasn’t looking to leave Baylor and it was certainly a difficult decision, but the opportunity, the energy and vision of the Miami Athletics Department was too good to pass up. To be 30 and the Director/Football Contact at a FBS school was a great chance to continue my career aspirations of becoming an AD. 

Canespace: I was born and raised in Miami so I know that the 305 is a dynamic, diverse, busy and sometimes difficult or challenging place to live, that to be honest, is not for everyone.  What excited you about the opportunity to move to South Florida and join the University of Miami athletic department staff? 

Yandle: For me, the opportunity to work with Chris Freet and Shawn Eichorst and the rest of the senior staff was enough for me. The energy I felt during my interview at Miami was the same way I felt during my interview at Baylor in 2008. Yes, Miami is different. But, so is Waco, Texas; Lafayette, La.; Huntington, W.Va.; Hattiesburg, Miss.; and so on and so on. During my interview process, people would tell me: “you know, this isn’t like Waco.” Where you live is what you make of it. To me, Miami is just like any other town I’ve lived in, except with amazing ocean views and a beach.

Canespace: In your short experience at UM so far what has pleasantly surprised you and what have you found challenging (apart from working with that Freet character) about living in SoFL, working at UM and dealing with the Hurricane beat reporters and Miami's fickle and demanding fans base? 

Yandle: Every fan base is different from other schools, yet the same. I love the passion of the Canes fan base. It’s something I’ve never experienced at my previous schools (to this magnitude). And the media – no matter the city or the school – will be different. Every school/city/media market presents its own unique set of challenges. Miami is no different. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m very proud to be at The U.

Canespace: We do something called Legends of the Fall each year. Bloggers at Canespace select one player on offense and one on defense that they feel will have a "legendary" or "break out" season each year. Apart from obvious choices Stephen Morris and Denzel Perryman which two players do you think are going to really burst onto the scene in 2012?  Also select one Freshman and one assistant coach that U feel will make an impact this year? 

Yandle: My first days on the job were spent in Greensboro at ACC Kickoff with Scott Zavitz (Assistant Director), Mike James and Brandon McGee. Mike and Brandon are fantastic representatives for The U and I’ve become big fans of both. I think both can have outstanding senior seasons.  In terms of the freshmen, I can’t limit it to just one. I think many will make a contribution in 2012, including but not limited to Tracy Howard and Duke Johnson.

Canespace: What new changes or features can Miami Hurricane fans expect from the UM web site and the SID in general this season?  Will there be any in-depth player profiles, weekly player personal diaries or changes in the game day experience for fans attending games in 2012?

Yandle: HurricaneSports.com is the front porch for everything Hurricanes Athletics and it’s important that we put our best information there and we push all of our social media content back to that site. And with the addition of Brian Bowsher as our Digital Media Strategist, I can promise we will have plenty of new things coming soon, but I’m not willing to spill the new stuff quite yet. The one thing I will tell you is that we will be more social media heavy and social media savvy.  

Our football game program will feature tons of social media-produced content; fans don’t care what questions I ask Mike James, but they do care if Mike James answers their question(s) for the game program. I believe in social media engineering and that’s what we are going to produce – fan generated content.

Comments

[Ohio_Cane]

Papa Cane on some recruiting: I like our chances with LB Jermaine Grace - 90%. LB Thomas will be a constant battle.

[Ohio_Cane]

Thurston Armbrister said Golden will make a decision on outside LB starter Wednesday.

[CEO]

Canespace twitter now over 550 followers!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 28, 2012 at 10:28 AM

I saw that. Seems like we are getting at least 3-5 new followers a day now?

[CEO]

Raize...we had fourmake predictions on the season record:

Brandon Odoi, CaneInsider: 4-8

Gary Ferman; Canesport: 8-4

Michael Casagrande: Sun-Sentinel 6-6

Chris Whittyngham, WVUM: 7-5

Susan Miller-Degnan, Miami Herald (1-1)

I've got Chris Freet from UM on the hook for a prediction tomorrow also.

[Ohio_Cane]

Just a few minutes until Al Golden begins his press conference. Tune in live on http://HurricaneSports.com

[Ohio_Cane]

Golden quotes incoming...

[Ohio_Cane]

Golden not worried about last year "A team is reborn every year. The challenge lies ahead."

Golden on the young guys heading into their first game "For us, it's two acres and a ball"

Al Golden said final position battles will go through Wednesday night

Golden explaining his depth chart "If it's a OR situation, you will see both guys in the game and whoever plays better will finish it"

Golden said we will see all four tight ends and running backs in Saturday's game

Golden on QBs "We need to get back to red-shirting some quarterbacks so they can learn the game." (AMEN!!)

Al Golden said biggest benefit for Stephen Morris last season was learning the game while Jacory Harris played

Al Golden said he's emphasized player leadership, cites Dolphins RB Reggie Bush on Hard Knocks

Golden on Stephen Morris is "light years" more mature now compared to this time last year

Al Golden on players talking about shocking the world. "I want to sit them down and shock them." (LOL!!)

More coming, I think...

[CGNC]

LOL to Solar with the whoosh whoosh and to Schnelly - I sure hope he is right

[Ohio_Cane]

Al Golden on TS Isaac: "I feel like its been storming for 19 months. I feel like Lieutenant Dan."

Hahahahahahah!!! Classic quote!

More coming...

[Ohio_Cane]

Golden on d-line progression "We're going to find out Saturday at 3:30. We've made a lot of progress but we'll see"

Golden says Chickillo has evolved from a leader in his class to a leader on the team. Would like to see others take that step as well

Golden says Raphael Kirby's cast was removed today. Hopes to know more on his status in a few weeks.

Golden says Seantrel Henderson and Curtis Porter will not travel to BC. Neither on the 2-deep. Hopes Gionni Paul will travel.

Golden says Duke Johnson will get "certain touches" on Saturday. Wants to see how he responds to college football

Another classic! - Golden to players saying they're going to shock the world: "Let's not talk about it, let's be about it."

[Ohio_Cane]

Golden "We have to do a better job with the noise. It's going to be loud but I expect Stephen will do much better than last year."

Golden anticipates about 15 true freshmen to play Saturday

Golden says Preston Dewey will travel to BC as the Canes third QB this week

Golden likes how the older guys on the team are reaching out to help bring along the younger players. "Trust the process"

Golden not happy it came out that coaches wanted to switch Luther Robinson to OL. But happy Robinson responded

Golden says "we're going to learn a lot" on Saturday. "Can they play together and play with poise"

[LB]

"Golden says Preston Dewey will travel to BC as the Canes third QB this week"

It looks like we've learned who the third team QB is...

...for now.

[Ohio_Cane]

Mike James stops press conference to thank Susan Miller-Degnan on feature story in Sunday paper.

Mike James never ceases to amaze me. Wow.

[CGNC]

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | August 28, 2012 at 12:59 PM

I used to see his family at the games - they are very nice. He was raised right!

Co - are you wondering just a little bit what Schnells is putting in that pipe these days? LOL!!!

[IraqiCane]

Due to Coach Schnellenberger comments, my new prediction will be 12-0 with an ACC Championship, and one last bowl ban.

12% 4 Life, GO CANES!!!

[Old Skool]

Golden's definitely witty. Sounds like he could soon be a go to guy for great quotes on college football - the way Bobby used to be.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

First of all, this freshman class was either a newborn or about to be born so fat chance trying to have them get that Gump reference.

Second of all, Schnell doesn't have to be drug tested now that he's retired so the pipe is probably more loaded than ever before. I just hope his eyesight hasn't totally gone with age, although changing the contents of the bowl would help stave off the effects of glaucoma.

Third of all, BC is banged up and ripe for the picking, Golden's also good coaching off an outright loss even before adding in the 'return bout' situation to this opener so if he drops only the second UM season opener in the last five years, it's a big warning sign.

[Ohio_Cane]

Golden: http://ufootball.tumblr.com/post/30398704597/head-coach-al-golden-met-with-the-media-in-the

[CaneRock]

Second of all, Schnell doesn't have to be drug tested now that he's retired so the pipe is probably more loaded than ever before. I just hope his eyesight hasn't totally gone with age, although changing the contents of the bowl would help stave off the effects of glaucoma.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | August 28, 2012 at 02:49 PM

Ya' mon,
"Herb is the healing of the nation."
Bob Marley

[LB]

"Due to Coach Schnellenberger comments, my new prediction will be 12-0 with an ACC Championship, and one last bowl ban."

12-0? Can I have some of what you're smoking?

As deficient as our opponents are, there are some pretty impressive pieces lying ahead of us as well. I've pointed the negatives out of our opponents, but before we idiotically say 12-0, let's take a closer look.

Chase Rettig is a good quarterback with experience. It will not be cake in BC.

Kansas State is technically sound, and Klein is probably the most underrated QB in the nation. Beating K-State will be highly DIFFICULT (though not impossible).

Like BC, Ga. Tech has an experienced QB. But I worry less about the Jackets than the Eagles. Yet, they were 2nd in rushing last year.

Notre Dame was a top 25 scoring defense last year for a program that boasts traditionally crappy ones. It's also in Chicago.

NC's Renner? He completes about 70% of his passes. Good thing it's at home.

FSU fumbles big games, but they are DANGEROUS. They were 4th in scoring defense last year despite it all. They are still Satan's team, and possess all sorts of evil black magic.

It's going to be hard to score against Va. Tech, too (7th last year). Thomas also isn't shabby.

The last three games are absolutely winnable, but there have been recent slip-ups against two of the three.

Understandably, this is a different beast than 2011. We know our lineup, and we'll be better than last year. But come on...

...12-0? Please don't be that guy.
Why are 7 to 9 wins so terrible? Can someone explain that to me? Al Golden is a great coach and I absolutely believe that his teams are destined for GREATNESS by philosophy alone. But we've got some ways to get there.

Rome wasn't constructed in a day, nor are the Golden Canes. Please remember that.

Sincerely,
Realistic Optimist

[CoCane]

CGNC,

Yeah, I think Scnelly & me are packin da bong wit da same "goodz" ;-)

[WWIN]

Posted by: LB | August 28, 2012 at 03:03 PM

Its not called being realistic, it's call telling the future. Tell us the weather for those games we'll be losing also??

[Ohio_Cane]

Eddie George: Miami is no longer "The U"

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/miami-hurricanes-blog/sfl-miami-hurricanes-no-longer-the-u-says-eddie-george-20120828,0,3701424.story

Shut your F'n piehole, Eddie! We are, always have been, and always will be THE U...

[UMike]

Being "The U" has nothing to do with winning..something a non-cane fan wouldnt know...shoot..when Canes fans see each other, we have a simple look and head-nod to let each other know its all about The U..we dont even need to talk! lol..The U is a family and isnt based on wins alone

[UMike]

ALTHOUGH...I can agree with SOME of what George said...a kid might watch " The U" documentary and think all he has to do is commit and Miami will win without the hard work (see Lance Leggett lol)..and I do think that has happened a lot over the years, but it is also something Golden recognizes and is changing.

[j.w.]

George is like all the national journalists this year. None have been to a practice, none have paid enough attention to who we brought in. I laughed when I read Mandel's comment, how in hell would he know if we are any good, he is in San Jose now. I'm not saying we're going 12-0 like one of the infamous Miami fans on twitter, and I can see why just looking on paper at who left would make an amateur fan think we're going to suck, but any professional writer who thinks that everyone who left was a productive player didn't pay attention last year.

[CGNC]

but any professional writer who thinks that everyone who left was a productive player didn't pay attention last year.

Posted by: j.w. | August 28, 2012 at 04:44 PM

THIS

[Ohio_Cane]

Hahahahahahahah!!!!! ----> http://i779.photobucket.com/albums/yy77/leftyslook/forrest-gump.jpg

[Old Skool]

Eddie George ... You mean Erin's sidekick.

The Stedman to Erin's Oprah
The Regis to Erin's Kelly Ripa

Apparently, Eddie is a sidekick to other women as well besides his wife ...

Wednesday, Feb. 7, in Sarasota, Florida.
Eddie George, 38, was the passenger in a car being driven by 21-year-old British pro golfer Rachel Connor when she was busted for driving drunk at 2AM.

[Old Skool]

We could always start an Eddie George divorce pool. Maybe add an over/under and give OSU memorabilia or replica of a Heisman cut in half to the winner. Call it the Eddie award.

[Old Skool]

Attention, Solar. Hollywood needs you.

Morgan Freeman and Elizabeth Banks have both joined the cast of Warner Bros. 3-D animated Lego movie. Supposedly, the plot revolves around 'an ordinary Lego mini-figure, mistakenly thought to be the extraordinary MasterBuilder, is recruited to join a quest to stop an evil Lego tyrant from gluing the universe together.'

Sounds like the Matrix Regurgitated

[CEO]

Arrived in the 954. Going to start work on the next two blogs: Chris Freet tonight at 8 PM and the Sports Editor from the Miami Hurricane newspaper with as very deep inside look at the students on campus and their attitudes and opinions going into this season.

[BEERicane]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf3k_4Obv7g&feature=g-vrec

Posted by: Hassan | August 27, 2012 at 06:45 PM

My favorite bit from this is the John Square sack. He is probably one of the nicest, most humble and down to earth people you could ever meet. One of my all-time favorite canes simply because of the quality of human being he is.

[CoCane]

Broward welcomes you Soup. I hope you enjoy are section of Da Bottom...

[CEO]

CoCane...next time I am in the 954 wil be 10/30-31. We will hook up then?

[Montreal-Cane]

CEO and Ohio cane great stuff once again this week.

Thanks for all the great info...

Don't forget 8-4
Stephen Morrris
Ladarius Gunter
Mark D.

Solar some very funny quotes today from Al Golden and Mike "Smiley" James...

[CoCane]

If I'm not too busy. Sure bro. U ain't scared to hang in the hood are you? Lol

[Laquinton]

http://mobile.tomahawknation.com/2012/8/15/3244164/mckayla-ing-the-miami-hurricanes-linebackers

[CEO]

NEW BLOG IS UP!