Hurricanes Hit The Road To Build Champions

The 2013 Hurricane Club #Building Champions Spring Tour continues May 8-10 with three more Florida stops in Tampa, Orlando and Jacksonville.

Head football coach Al Golden, National Coach of the Year Jim Larrañaga and head women's basketball coach Katie Meier will be in Tampa on May 8, while Golden and Larrañaga will be in Orlando on May 9.

The May 8 event in Tampa will be held at Brickhouse Tavern & Tap. Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a reception at 7:30 p.m. Pre-RSVP Hurricane Club members are $25, non-Hurricane Club members are $40 and day-of-entry guests will be $50.

The #BuildingChampions Spring Tour will then travel up Interstate 4 for its next tour stop May 9 in Orlando, which will be held at Panama Jack. Hors d'oeuvres will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by a reception at 7:30 p.m. Pre-RSVP Hurricane Club members are $25, non-Hurricane Club members
are $40 and day-of-entry guests will be $50.

Coach Golden will be in attendance for the final Florida Spring Tour stop May 10 in Jacksonville at the Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center. A reception will be held at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Pre-RSVP Hurricane Club members are $50, while non-Hurricane Club members are $75.

The 2013 Hurricane Club #BuildingChampions Spring Tour concludes with a reception Thursday, May 16 at Brother Jimmy's in New York City.

For questions about all Spring Tour stops and the Chicago Event, please call the Hurricane Club at 305-284-6699.

2013 HURRICANE CLUB #BUILDINGCHAMPIONS
SPRING TOUR AND SITE INFO

Wednesday, May 8
Brickhouse Tavern & Tap in Tampa, Fla. (Register)
Hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m., reception at 7:30 p.m.
Pre-RSVP Hurricane Club members: $25; Non-Hurricane Club members: $40; Day-of entry: $50
Location: 1102 North Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607

Thursday, May 9
Panama Jack in Orlando, Fla. (Register)
Hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m., reception at 7:30 p.m.
Pre-RSVP Hurricane Club members: $25; Non-Hurricane Club members: $40; Day-of entry: $50
Location: 724 Franklin Street, Orlando, FL 32801

Friday, May 10
Prime F. Osborn III Convention Center in Jacksonville, Fla. (Register)
Reception at 6:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m.
Pre-RSVP Hurricane Club members: $50; Non-HC members: $75
Location: 1000 Water Street, Jacksonville, FL 32204

Thursday, May 16
Brother Jimmy’s in New York (Register)
Hors d’oeuvres at 6:30 p.m., reception at 7:30 p.m.
Pre-RSVP Hurricane Club members: $40; Non-HC members: $50; Day-of entry: $60
Location: 181 Lexington Ave., New York, NY 10016

Thursday, May 23
Sixth annual Chicago Coaches Dinner (Register)
The Westin Chicago River North Hotel
320 North Dearborn St., Chicago, IL

Comments

[roachcane77]

BaddaBing!

[roachcane77]

Man, these guys stay busy, huh?

[Glenn]

Doesn't look like Al even has a pause key!

[Account Deleted]

Top 5.....DT's Al....just keep looking for DT's....

[UMike]

Although a Rivals article about Corey Holmes has Miami "making the cut", but I wouldn't expect him in this class. I have heard/read/seen on multiple occasions that he wants out of South Florida. Unless Golden can work some magic, dont expect him in this class.

[UMike]

Miami offered Alabama QB Malik Rosier and he has us on top. He is a 2-Star dual threat QB whos only other offers are from Furman and Southern Miss.

[UMike]

CORAL GABLES — New testimony related to Nevin Shapiro's on-going bankruptcy backs up at least some of the former UM booster's claims of NCAA rule violations.

Roberto Torres, the former chief financial officer for Shapiro's Capitol Investments, was deposed last month in a civil case related to the wide-ranging bankruptcy proceedings. During the deposition, Torres said he witnessed Shapiro throwing lavish parties in the mid-2000s on his yacht involving then-current and perspective Hurricane athletes.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/um-hurricanes/fl-um-nevin-shapiro-ncaa-investigation-20130506,0,1810620.story

[UMike]

On a POSITIVE note..I am pretty sure Miami will eventually flip JoJo Robinson.

[SOUP]

Kelly Nash ‏@KNashSports 46m

Positivity is beautiful.

[SOUP]

UMike...the offer to QB Rosier is a head scratcher, right? It also seems that the article on the Shapiro thing is nothing new in terms of facts in the case.

[UMike]

SOUP..Coley is his main recruiter and Coley seems to love these dual threat/mobile QB's. Yea its a bit of a head scratcher, but you would think that since this isnt a local kid, the staff must of done their homework.

[UMike]

Just because some guy said he say some players in a boat doesn't prove anything lol

[Ohio_Cane]

We also offered 2014 QB Jalan McClendon (6'4, 198) from Charlotte, NC.

http://rivals.yahoo.com/kentucky/football/recruiting/player-Jalan-McClendon-141146;_ylt=AgbWS4QY397YnsDFdFzMeLkvsZB4

[Ohio_Cane]

UMike and SOUP, Malik is a dual-sport guy. Baseball and Football. Don't be surprised if he ends up a David Thompson.

He's def a sleeper tho

Highlights: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eSxmBqhhC78

[Ohio_Cane]

^^ Strong, strong arm on that kid.

[LB]

Canes Spring Wrap-Up on ESPN (a.k.a. "All About Defense"):

http://espn.go.com/blog/acc

[LB]

Athlon's Top 50 QB's of the BCS era:

Dorsey's a little underrated at #18.

http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/college-footballs-top-50-quarterbacks-bcs-era

McGahee at #36. James at #72.
http://www.athlonsports.com/college-football/college-footballs-top-50-running-backs-bcs-era

[Canesfan_1]

UMike...the offer to QB Rosier is a head scratcher, right? It also seems that the article on the Shapiro thing is nothing new in terms of facts in the case.

Posted by: SOUP | May 07, 2013 at 08:48 AM

This + 1,000,000

If you've been following the case and take the time to read this article closely, you know this is nothing new and also nothing that will formally be used to make a determination of punishment by the committee.

It also doesn't verify any of the more lurid accusations, none of which have been documented or proven.

As a matter of fact, this info or article is only useful, and only of note or relevance, to enemies of the program. It has NO relevant substance.

NONE AT ALL.

[UMike]

Canesfan_1... I agree..that article and what the man says means nothing. And is the NCAA even allowed to go back and add to what they already gave over to the committee that hands down the punishment?

[UMike]

LB..McGahee is low imo also..but I think only starting one year hurt him..in that list any way

[LB]

"LB..McGahee is low imo also..but I think only starting one year hurt him..in that list any way"

I think so. If he had two years starting, he'd be in the top 20.

[Canesfan_1]

And is the NCAA even allowed to go back and add to what they already gave over to the committee that hands down the punishment?

Posted by: UMike | May 07, 2013 at 11:09 AM

That's right, I don't think they are allowed, or it's not part of their normal procedure.

June can't get here fast enough. Hopefully the committee either leaves everything as is, we've self punished enough, or just adds a few minimum schol reductions, so it will be over in June.

[UpNorthCane27]

Anyone know any Athletic Directors In Florida or South Florida who are interested in filling a Collegiate assistant soccer position? If you do I Have my resume and cover letter all written out and would appreciate the help guys....

[Ohio_Cane]

UpNorth, I'm still at the High School level. Actually being promoted to Head girls soccer coach this year.

I'll keep my ears open for ya though.

[Ohio_Cane]

Tim Reynolds - Miami's NCAA hearing in Indianapolis has been moved up one day to June 13. Committee on Infractions hoping to wrap it up in three days.

[UpNorthCane27]

Awesome news Ohio!! glad to know you coach soccer. Have you done any trainings through NSCAA? I've been an assistant Head coach for a high school here in RI, We won the State Title for D1 2 out of the last 3 years. I'm a Head Coach for a premier soccer team, but I feel stuck I want to get into a College program and grow from there.

Keep me updated on your season Ohio and if you need any insight for drills, or tactical explanations email me at [email protected]

[UMike]

June can't get here fast enough. Hopefully the committee either leaves everything as is, we've self punished enough, or just adds a few minimum schol reductions, so it will be over in June.

Posted by: Canesfan_1 | May 07, 2013 at 12:08 PM

I also think all this bad press about how long they have taken will cause them to speed up the process so were not kept waiting for months on the punishment.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

Do you think UM appeals even scholly reductions at this point?

The Don might go for the jugular all the way now, don't put it past her, but will the board have the stones for it too is the question in my mind?

[Ohio_Cane]

UpNorth, we haven't done any NSCAA stuff. It's usually through OYSAN (Ohio Youth Soccer Association North). We're a small school (D2, Class 4-A)

My former Premier/Club coaches when I played are all at the collegiate level now as head coaches, but they're all around WV, PA, and OH. Nothing near FL

[orange 'n green in the vein]

http://www.philsteele.com/images/Blogpics/2013covers/FloridaCover.jpg

From James at like 1/20th the size of a QB that didn't even finish the year yet again in Tampa to front and center.

(BTW, last year, center of Florida cover = Brandon Jenkins. Phil's preseason pick to win the title . . . FSU. Take both those for what you will.)

[Ohio_Cane]

Do you think UM appeals even scholly reductions at this point?

The Don might go for the jugular all the way now, don't put it past her, but will the board have the stones for it too is the question in my mind?

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | May 07, 2013 at 12:54 PM
---------------------------------------

Can't see them accepting ANY further punishment at this point. If they try to add even something small, I see court case impending. IMO, of course.

[j.w.]

Damn, 10 years and counting since the Hurricane coaches made it to SF
As for the hearing- they can add the new stuff if they choose, who knows what they actaully will do and how persuasive is.

[Ohio_Cane]

Canes visiting Cardinal Newman today. Checking up on Travis Rudolph.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

The Don was quite adamant about that point O_C. So even one scholly reduction at one year, which how much lighter a slap on the wrist add on can you get than that, and still going to court?

See at that point it's almost worth it to me in my view to say whatever and play football and basketball.

[UMike]

Canes visiting Cardinal Newman today. Checking up on Travis Rudolph.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 07, 2013 at 01:03 PM

I think he is accounting at the UA game...I THINK lol

[herbieibis]

Hello sports fans, The Herb has been scrolling through the blog, which I might add, is better than reading a newspaper and wanted to add his usual 2 or 3 cents worth of comment: one, why is Coley looking at all these spread option QB's. I hope he is not under the illusion, that we are going to switch to the spread option or upon further reflection, maybe it would be a better option for us in the future. It's the been the new thing in High School for quite awhile and if we can't beat em, why not join them. Just think of all the speed we would have running around the field and let's face it, it's getting harder and harder to find a pro-style QB.
The other topic of interest is the on going saga, which is the NCAA vs "DA U". Yes this crap has drug on much to long for the Herb's liking but it will be just like Christmas, when they finally do decide our fate, with a few measley ship reductions. I've said before those boys hate us and they are not going to just let us walk. Let those azz-holes even dare to try & give us another year of probation and see Donna sue those zeros in court. The only problem, even if a fat chance that did happen, it would mean we would drag this out even longer. Hell to the NO! In the end they they want this to be over with just as bad as we do, they just won't admit it.

[Canesfan_1]

Do you think UM appeals even scholly reductions at this point?

The Don might go for the jugular all the way now, don't put it past her, but will the board have the stones for it too is the question in my mind?

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | May 07, 2013 at 12:54 PM
---------------------------------------

Can't see them accepting ANY further punishment at this point. If they try to add even something small, I see court case impending. IMO, of course.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 07, 2013 at 12:58 PM

Maybe under different circumstances we would fight against even the most minimal of additional punishment.

In my opinion, everyone is so fatigued from the unrelenting negativity of the last three years, that if a small number of reductions were handed down, like maybe around 2 per year for 3 years, that for the sake of putting this behind us, we may accept that.

Much more than that and we go to court.

Like the Don said "We have been wronged..."

[Ohio_Cane]

See at that point it's almost worth it to me in my view to say whatever and play football and basketball.

Posted by: orange 'n green in the vein | May 07, 2013 at 01:03 PM
---------------------------------------

While I agree with U, I don't think Shalala does.

If they actually said "1 ship reduction for 1 year" and she said "COURT!!", I'd be kinda pizzed.

[TonyCane]

Hopefully Donna says to the NCAA, "my offer is this. Zero."

[UMike]

Canes visiting Cardinal Newman today. Checking up on Travis Rudolph.

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | May 07, 2013 at 01:03 PM

I think he is accounting at the UA game...I THINK lol

Posted by: UMike | May 07, 2013 at 01:07 PM

I meant ANNOUNCING lol

[UMike]

IMO, there is no way the NCAA gives us a "time served". They will do whatever is needed to make sure they "win". It maybe minor, but it will be something lol

[Ohio_Cane]

Update on QB Brad Kaaya from Rivals:

Getting close to committing (June). Canes lead.

[UMike]

Ohio..from what I understand Miami has a pretty big "lead".

[UMike]

But you have to wonder about a commitment sticking. Now that his recruiting is picking up, especially from local schools like UCLA and USC..he might wanna stay home lol

[UMike]

Per CanesInsight and ESPN..Interesting..

Dwyer and [email protected]

We haven't pulled a Dwyer kid since Rashad Butler. The drama between Daniels and Muschump, plus Johnnie Dixon's legit interest in the Canes (he's visited at least 7 or 8 times), the staff has a great chance at pulling the first Dwyer kid in over 10 years.

http://www.espnwestpalm.com/common/m...9&post_id=8551

The University of Florida has been nothing short of a constant presence at Dwyer High School over the past several years, but a recent rash of transfers out of UF indicate a growing schism between the state's most prominent college football program and the preps powerhouse out of Palm Beach County.

Three Dwyer grads have left Gainesville for new schools in the past three seasons: QB Jacoby Brissett (North Carolina State), TE Gerald Christian (Louisville), and WR Robert Clark (Louisville), departures that have left Panthers head coach Jack Daniels, a Gator alum, questioning Will Muschamp and his coaching staff.

Two other non-Dwyer Palm Beach products have left Florida early since 2011: Pahokee WR Chris Dunkley and, most recently, Boynton Beach OL Jessamen Dunker.

Dunkley, who also played at Royal Palm Beach, is believed to have had academic issues that led to a transfer to USF, where he was arrested on domestic violence battery last September. Dunker was taken into custody in January after allegedly stealing a scooter near Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

The Dwyer trio, however, are signficantly more perplexing because not only were they more sought-after coming out of high school, they also didn't run afoul of the law, and by all indications, were meeting expectations in the classroom.

“None of my guys, thank God, have gotten in trouble, I just didn’t think they were treated fairly,” says Daniels.

While the “Dwyer-to-UF pipeline” was recently punctuated by safety Matt Elam's All-American career in the orange and blue, culminating in him being taken in the first round of April's NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, Daniels is still plenty salty about how his players have been treated by Muschamp and Co., especially Brissett.

“I've said all along, I don’t think he’s been given the fair shot which was said was going to happen,” Daniels says of Brissett's time at Florida.

Brissett was a highly-touted Class of 2011 prospect who followed close friend Elam to Florida. Initially recruited by Urban Meyer, the Palm Beach Gardens native picked the Gators despite a coaching change and the prospect of entering a quarterback log-jam with incumbent John Brantley and big-name incoming freshman Jeff Driskel.

After the Gators started an eye-opening 4-0 in '11, Brantley was injured in a loss to Alabama, paving the way for Brissett to make his first ever start, a blowout defeat at LSU. Brissett would once again get the opening assigment the following week as Florida fell to Auburn, but he would only see one more start (Jacksonville State, '12) in the final 19 games of his Gator career. It's a timeline of events that rubs Daniels the wrong way.

“It was made clear to him, and to everybody else, that it didn’t matter what Jeff Driskel did, it was [Driskel's] job and going in to next fall, it’s going to be the same way. I think Jacoby had no choice. If I was quarterback on that team last year, I might have been able to get some wins, the way their defense was playing.”

In nine games in a Florida uniform, Brissett passed for 455 yards (11.4 yards per completion) at a 55.4% clip (41-74) and threw three touchdowns to four interceptions. With 17 games under his belt, Driskel has compiled a 61.6% completion mark, 10.4 yards per completion, and 12 touchdowns to seven interceptions. Driskel's 63.7% was 39th in the nation and 6th in the SEC a season ago.

Though many will argue that Driskel's mobility was more conducive to play behind Florida's ragged offensive line, Daniels thinks Brissett's body of work was well below what he deserved and he doesn't think that UF coaches were truthful with his former signal-caller.

“The way Jacoby was handled and the decision that was made...if it was my kid, I wouldn’t expect anybody to treat my kid like that, and I don’t think anybody should treat anybody like that. I think it was a complete lie about how he was going to be given a fair chance and I don’t think there’s anything to dispute that there wasn’t a lie.”

Daniels doesn't believe he's the only member of the Dwyer family upset with how Brissett was treated at UF. He thinks Elam was less than thrilled with the opportunity, or lack thereof, that his boyhood pal received in Gainesville.

Evidence of Elam's disatisfaction with Brissett's situation came in mid-January after the quarterback announced his intention to transfer to N.C. State. Elam took to Twitter and fired off a series of tweets that were hardly complimentary to Driskel.

“@ElamVsElo: Ay world mark my worlds please! The NC STATE WOLFPACK WILL HAVE A HEISMAN TROPHY WINNER IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS iSWEA..”

“@erikpowell: @ElamVsElo not a hater but C'MON Man!
@ElamVsElo: @erikpowell You must be a Driskel lover, sad story bro...”

“@ElamVsElo: If you a recruit and you play receiver, go to NC State..! Lol..!”

“@ElamVsElo: For all the "supposedly" Florida fans I am a @JBrissett12 fan, I can careless what that other dude can do, I'm for the fam!”

“I know Matt played this season with tons of anger because of the way Jacoby was treated and I’m pretty sure there were some run-ins with the coaching staff with Matt,” Daniels says of Elam, last year's first-team All-SEC performer, the poster child for UF's hard-hitting, play-making defense.

As for Gerald Christian, Daniels is still trying to figure out why things didn't work out for the talented tight end.

After a successful run at Dwyer, Christian headed to UF with Elam and Clark with expectations of becoming a vertical threat in Florida's up-tempo offense, but things didn't work out that way. After being used as a fullback and blocking end as a freshman, Christian began to sour on Meyer's plan for him.

The ill feelings over his role continued when Muschamp and then offensive coordinator Charlie Weis entered the picture. Christian decided to call it quits with the Gators mid-season in 2011, and he took Robert Clark with him.

Daniels was dismayed at the way Christian decided to exit Muschamp's roster, but he understood why his former star did what he did.

“[Gerald] is one of the best kids I’ve ever coached, one of the the politest, who goes to class, doesn’t get in trouble, and is very talented. He’s truthful, and every week he was taking all the reps with the 1's in practice, and when the game time comes, [Christian's not out there]. He gets his first start against Kentucky and catches [a 45-yard touchdown pass] and then they go play Alabama the next week and he plays two snaps. It got to be a point where it happened so many times to him that he was frustrated and felt like the coaches were lying to him.”

Despite obvious angst over the UF tenure's of Brissett and Christian, Daniels still sounds like someone who believes Clark should've tried to stick it out in Gainesville.

“I think some people got into Robert’s ear about leaving and him never getting a chance to be anything, and there’s guys that were ahead of him, which was wrong because Robert was playing a lot (7 games in '10, 7 catches, 1 TD) and had a bright future there. I think he would have gotten a lot of playing time. I just think he “jumped the ship” with Gerald. He regretted it. I’m not sure he regrets it now, but he regretted it at the time.”

With Dwyer spring practice underway en route to their upcoming spring game showdown with Vero Beach, the shadow of Muschamp and Florida looms large over Daniels' football team.

Rising senior WR Johnnie Dixon has held an offer from the Gators since May of last year and UF believes it has a real strong shot at an athlete Rivals rates as the 17th best receiver in the nation. Dixon is a speedster, who at 6'0” 175 lbs., also holds offers from schools like Miami, Florida State, and up to five SEC institutions including Alabama.

While Daniels may not be the biggest fan of how his guys have been handled at UF, he refuses will to alter a player's decision just because he isn't exactly thrilled with the Gators at the moment.

“I can’t hold a grudge forever and I still talk to Coach Muschamp. If Johnny Dixon wants to go there, then I support it 100%. I would never steer a kid away.”

The reality is, however, that Dwyer is a close-knit football family and many of the current players have kept an eye on the path's that the school's former stars have taken through their college careers. They hear the stories. They're aware of the good and the bad.

Daniels is curious to see how his program's relationship with Muschamp's program develops as the next few months, and years, progress.

“I don’t know how hard it’s going to be to get a kid out of Dwyer to go there now.”

[UMike]

I know Dixson was down for the spring game and the family/team barbeque

[LB]

UM won't concede anything without going to court first.

[UMike]

I think if the punishment is minor, we might accept just to get it over with. But there is no way in hell we only get time served

[Ohio_Cane]

Jorge Milian ‏@caneswatch 6m

http://ESPN.com picks Hurricanes to win ACC's Coastal Division w/a 9-3 record in 2013. You need an 'ESPN Insiders' account so no link. ESPN.com picks Coastal this way: 1) UM; 2) Virginia Tech; 3) North Carolina; 4) Georgia Tech; 5) Pitt; 6) Virginia' 7) Duke.

Jorge Milian ‏@caneswatch 5m

Clemson is picked to finish ahead of FSU by http://ESPN.com , which predicts both teams will finish with 9-3 records.

[CaneRock]

Jack Daniels needs to STFU!
As long as He's there, I hope none of His kids commit to us, actin' like Hid damn kids are God's gift to CFB.