Coach + Leader + Teacher = Larranaga

Hurricanes men’s basketball coach Jim Larrañaga has been appointed as Adjunct Assistant Professor of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences at the University of Miami, the school announced Friday afternoon.

“We are delighted to have an exceptional educator like Coach Larrañaga join our Department of Kinesiology and Sport Sciences,” said Dr. Isaac Prilleltensky, Dean, School of Education and Human Development. “He is a fantastic teacher on the court and in the classroom and our students stand to gain much from his experience and expertise.”

Due to his head coaching responsibilities, Larrañaga will serve as a guest lecturer at several different classes in the School of Education and Human Development throughout the semester.

“I’ve always seen myself as an educator; I graduated with a degree in education and I always planned to be a teacher,” said Larrañaga. “I’ve had the great pleasure of teaching young men the game of basketball, but I was also a member of the faculty in the school of management at George Mason University. That provided me an opportunity to interact with a large number of students and to be in a classroom environment, which I enjoy very much. Being a member of the faculty of the University of Miami School of Education and Human Development will give me the opportunity to interact with more students than ever before.”

Larrañaga and the Hurricanes begin official practice next Friday, Sept. 27, then open the 2013-14 season with an exhibition game against Florida Tech on Oct. 30 before starting the regular season on Nov. 8 against St. Francis (N.Y.).

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Comments

[Terrance Sullivan]

I will make sure to check out at least one Canes bball game this year. Go Canes!

[SOUP]

Matt Hayes ‏@Matt_HayesSN 10s

#Gators conform Easley has torn ACL, out for season. Second key player in five days (including Driskel) down to season-ending injury.

SAD

[NY Trooper]

#3 go canes!

[SOUP]

Canespace ‏@86Cane 1m

@ChristyChirinos Thanks for the follow. Would love to have you do a LIVE chat with Miami fans on the Canespace blog soon?

[SOUP]

The LIVE chat with Matt from the PBP has been postponed one week until W/Th next week. He has another MAJOR commitment with UM's Larranga that he has to fulfill, then he is ALL in!

More to follow...

[Account Deleted]

6 spot...typo cost me....

[mountain cane]

gus the bus

[CaneRock]

Magic Benton...WHAT!

[CaneRock]

That's AWESOME! news about Coach L, we gotta REAL! educator for a Coach!

[laquinton]

Sucks about easley. Reminds me of marcus forston. You saw the fire just not enough

[dantana]

Coach L and Golden. Finally, real coaches at the U for Bball and Fball. Thank god.

[SOUP]

Coach L and Golden. Finally, real coaches at the U for Bball and Fball. Thank god.

Posted by: dantana | September 25, 2013 at 10:46 PM

There IT is right there.

[jgatsby1112]

NCAA rules twice on Penn St....rules on Johnny Football but no word on The U??? How many weeks has it been? Damn the Man!!!

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great work Soup my Man. Go Canes and I third Dantana comment its great to have real coaches in both Football and Basketball.

[Old Skool]

Soup you should get OGV to do an NCAA countup clock, noting the days that have passed.

[UMike]

### Most improved UM players on defense? Anthony Chickillo said Tracy Howard and Thurston Armbrister.

### Though Stephen Morris' ankle isn't 100 percent, Al Golden said today that Morris was only 75 percent because of an ankle injury on the day of last year's FSU game and still played. Golden said he expects him to play.

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/sports-buzz/#storylink=cpy

[UMike]

ESPN College GameDay analyst Kirk Herbstreit, speaking to Joe Rose on 560 WQAM, was adamant about the frustration those connected to the University of Miami must feel regarding the NCAA situation that still has not been resolved after two-and-a-half years.

Herbstreit said the first thing he thought of was Miami when he heard the news yesterday about the NCAA gradually returning football scholarships to Penn State in relation to the Jerry Sandusky child molestation scandal.

"Miami was the first thing I thought about yesterday when I heard that news,'' Herbstreit said. "They have not only penalized Penn State, but circled back and reduced that penalty before we get anything on Miami. The only thing I can think of is because the NCAA fumbled the ball on the entire investigation with Miami and publicly admitted that, I've got to believe they've got to go all the way back and start basically from scratch in certain aspects of the investigation.

"I don't have anything to do with the NCAA; I never talk to anybody from the NCAA, so I don't have any idea. I wish I had some answers of, 'Hey, by November we're going to find out, but I don't know anything. I'm as frustrated by it. All I can do is just applaud the effort from the university, what they're doing, the direction that they're heading with Al Golden.

I don't know if people outside of the Miami Hurricane community really appreciate the challenges that Al Golden and his staff face week in and week out -- not just during the season but more importantly in the offseason when you're recruiting, when you're trying to recruit to unknown. The direction of your program, the penalties you may have to deal with and you're sitting here trying to talk a 17- or 18-year-old to come and play for you while Florida State and Florida and others, they don't have to worry about that.

"It's a shame, it really is. I just hope there are some answers. Good or bad, just get Miami some answers so they can move past this and move into another chapter of their program.''

Read more here: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2013/09/kirk-herbstreit-just-now-on-wqam-good-or-bad-get-miami-some-answers.html#storylink=cpy

[UMike]

Clive Walford’s hot hands, steady game helping Hurricanes
by Matt Porter

Clive Walford was asked how it feels to be on such a good run.

“Just catching the ball, man, you can’t explain that feeling,” Walford said. “It’s too exciting.”

If that’s the case, Walford has been speechless a lot of late.

In his last seven games, dating back to last Nov. 1 against Virginia Tech, Walford, a junior tight end from Glades Central High, has 411 receiving yards and five touchdowns. Seventeen of his last 18 receptions have resulted in either first downs or touchdowns.

He has become one of Miami’s most reliable offensive weapons, which is a long way and a lot of hours of work removed from the player that arrived in Coral Gables in 2010. Walford, a basketball star in high school who barely played football, came to Miami as a 6-foot-4, 215-pound project.

Then the work began. He learned how to study film. He learned how to block. He learned how to run a crisp route and outwork linebackers and safeties. Oh, and he put on 45 pounds of muscle.

He did it by focusing on incremental improvement, day by day.

“I’m never satisfied,” he said. “I feel like I always leave plays on the field. That’s an area I have to get better at.”

Examples?

“I can take it back to Saturday [against Savannah State],” he said. “A touchdown pass that I actually dropped. I don’t have no excuses about that drop. Just, lack of focus. I don’t know. Lack of concentration. I just dropped the ball.”

Walford had his problems with drops last year, but has been much more sure-handed of late, with seven catches on 11 targets. Five of his receptions have resulted in a first down. One was for a touchdown. The other was for an eight-yard gain.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caneswatch/2013/09/26/clive-walfords-hot-hands-steady-mind-helping-hurricanes/

[UMike]

What happened to USF? Former Hurricanes DE, Bulls coach Kevin Patrick offers perspective
by Matt Porter

Forgive Kevin Patrick for not choosing a side in Saturday’s USF-Miami game.

“I’m green and orange down to the bud,” he said. “My DNA is there. But being the first person to ever lead the team out for USF … I’m kind of torn. I love my alma mater but all the defensive linemen that are there I recruited. I’m rooting for them all.”

Here’s why Patrick cops out: After starring at Forest Hill High, he was a contributor to two championship teams at Miami, as a reserve defensive end in 1989 and a starter on the 1991 team. He was Big East defensive player of the year and an All-American in 1993. He states it clearly: he will always be a ‘Cane.

But he has plenty of love for the other side.

In 1996, he joined the inaugural USF coaching staff as a defensive ends coach. He led the Bulls from the tunnel before they beat Kentucky Wesleyan 80-3 on Sept. 7, 1997, earning the first win for the program that brought college football back to Tampa. The city had been without a college football program since 1974, when the University of Tampa dropped football.

Patrick was an assistant from 1996-98, left coaching and returned to USF in 2008, when it was known as one of the hottest young programs in the country. No school earned a poll ranking faster than USF, which became a full-time, bowl-eligible FBS member in 2001 and reached the top 25 in 2007. That year, the Bulls climbed as high as No. 2 in the nation, reaching the top 5 faster than any other FBS program. Patrick, who was a defensive ends and defensive line coach, recruited future New York Giants standouts Jason Pierre-Paul and Jacquian Williams to USF.

READ MORE: Tampa’s Anthony Chickillo returns home to face USF

Despite Patrick’s history and success at the school, he couldn’t outlast the turmoil.

Original head coach Jim Leavitt was fired in 2010 after an investigation revealed he struck a player – USF later settled a $2.75 million wrongful termination suit – and Skip Holtz won eight, five and three games in his three seasons before he was fired last December. USF had gone from one of the hottest to least-respected teams in college football.

Patrick was not retained when USF hired Willie Taggart last December. Taggart kepy Larry Scott, a member of USF’s original recruiting class in 1996 who was hired as a coach in 2005. Last February, Scott left for Miami, which offered him a job coaching tight ends following Mario Cristobal’s departure.

The only time Patrick met Taggart was when he was informed he no longer had a job. Hard feelings?

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/caneswatch/2013/09/25/what-happened-to-usf-former-hurricanes-de-bulls-coach-kevin-patrick-offers-perspective/

[UMike]

I know I mentioned it before, but it is now official... Berrios will announce Oct 12th at noon. Looks like a Miami/Oregon battle imo

[UMike]

From CIS and 247..

Johnnie Dixon

- He's visiting OSU thi weekend because it's a game they've been preparing for a year and he wants to ee how they will do

-His next ov is Nov. 8th for Bama vs LSU

- The traitor and Billy Napier still keep a pretty good communication with him

- He says the staff still wants him in this class and with Darrell Langham they can be great. He's not sure when he will visit UM next but it should be in the next couple weeks

- NC State was great because of the family based feel. His coaches are good friends with their coaches and Jacoby Brisett is still very close with Dixon too

-Arkansas was good too, his coach his friends with Bielema

- It's a a top 3 of UM, OSU and Bama with Arkansas and NC State till being involved too

- He's looking to commit in November after he's done with his visits. He's looking for education, playing time, family based program and stable coaches

http://alabama.247sports.com/Article...-visits-151381

[UMike]

4-Star DE Keyon Brown from Wauchula, Florida is announcing today. UGA, UM and FSU are the finalists. I expect UGA

[Ohio_Cane]

NCAA rules twice on Penn St....rules on Johnny Football but no word on The U??? How many weeks has it been? Damn the Man!!!

Posted by: jgatsby1112 | September 25, 2013 at 11:11 PM
----------------------------------------------

Today makes FIFTEEN WEEKS...

[LB]

Opponent Notes:

- Don't expect Clemson to lose anytime soon, barring a MAJOR upset. The next remaining hurdle is vs. FSU on 10/19.
- Maryland will continue to remain undefeated this weekend, as it has a bye. FSU is up next on 10/5.
- Georgia Tech plays Va. Tech tonight, taking the first steps in understanding the Coastal picture.
- Pittsburgh's remaining opponents include UVA, Old Dominion, Navy, and Syracuse... and they still may not make a bowl game.
- UVA's remaining schedule looks daunting. Maryland, Ga. Tech, Clemson, N. Carolina, Miami, and Va. Tech are amongst their opponents. Ouch.

Other Notes:
- Losing two big players isn't the only hurdles for Florida. Arkansas, LSU, Georgia, South Carolina, and FSU are among their remaining opponents.

- Despite a couple of hiccups, Duke Johnsin is tied for 11th in the country with 168.33 all-purpose yards per game. That number should rise this weekend.
- Miami is tied for 4th(!) on red zone defense. That shouldn't be surprising, though. Even last year, that was one place where they did pretty well.
- Rushing defense? 48th. Passing defense? 12th. Total defense? 18th.
- Turnover margin? 1st. Scoring defense? 7th. Sacks? 8th. Pass efficency defense? 5th.

These nice numbers are due to change once we hit the Coastal, but wow... what great numbers to look at.

[LB]

"Today makes FIFTEEN WEEKS..."

I'd just about put significant money down that you won't hear a peep from the NCAA until December. Donna will most certainly sue if they propose another postseason ban, and the NCAA will "try" to make its mark while under the weight of public pressure. This is basically their last straw before their system falls apart. And they'll hold onto it like hell until then.

It's all about money, prestige, and the appearance of power.

But the NCAA cloud is lifting. All evidence points to such.

[CaneRock]

4-Star DE Keyon Brown from Wauchula, Florida is announcing today. UGA, UM and FSU are the finalists. I expect UGA

Posted by: UMike | September 26, 2013 at 08:04 AM

LMAO!
UMike, if it was UM,UM,UM, you'd STILL! pick UGA!

You SEC luva you! LMAO!

[UMike]

CR..from everything I have read for a while he has been a UGA lean lol..we will see lol

[UMike]

I dont even think Ohio would pick UM for Brown lol

[CaneRock]

4-Star DE Keyon Brown from Wauchula, Florida is announcing today. UGA, UM and FSU are the finalists. I expect UGA

Posted by: UMike | September 26, 2013 at 08:04 AM

And even though this interview was in January, the only coaches that He mentions having a relationship with, is UM's...Jethro Franklin in particular. And I know things have changed since January, but He didn't even mention UGA, and He said that FSU hadn't offered Him yet.

I don't know UMike, but I "expect" Miami...12%er FO LIIIIIIIFE! LMAO!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUwZBoJOES8

[Ohio_Cane]

Keyon Brown has been a UGA lean for a year or more. I don't expect him to pick UM, but we're in it at least.

Also, our current DL haul makes me not care if he does. Give me Moten and maybe a JUCO or 2 and we're good.

[mountain cane]

The only Forston trait that reminds me of Easton is being injured. If Forston had started working before he went (undrafted) to the Pats he might have built a skill set that took him further than the practice squad.

He may have reached a lower % of potential at UM than anyone.

[UMike]

This was from CIS in June...

2014 Hardee (Fla.) defensive end Keyon Brown is rated as one of the top pass rushers in the nation and is looking to focus on improving one skill this summer that is sure to take his talents to the next level.

“My speed, I’m trying to get faster. So I’m trying to work on speed.”

While some recruits find the recruiting process to be stressful at times, Brown has yet to feel any stress during it.

“I think it’s kinda fun. I mean I can understand where it can be stressful in the middle of the season or towards the end of the season, but right now I’m enjoying and having a good time with it.”

The 6’3 240 pound end prospect has been hearing from multiple top schools such as Georgia, Florida State, Miami, Clemson and Tennessee.

In the past, Brown has refrained from naming a leader. However, there is a new school in the front for his services.

“Georgia, Georgia is my leader right now, they’re sticking out now.”

The Hardee star has built a good relationship with the staff in Athens and likes the team’s defense.

“Coach (Todd) Grantham and coach (Bryan McClendon) came down twice, I’m talking to them a lot and they seem like great guys. I know Georgia’s defense is great and I think Georgia would be a great school.”

While the Bulldogs may the lead at the moment, he still has Miami in the mix.

“I still like them a lot, it’s still a great school. I wouldn’t say Miami’s far behind Georgia right now, it’s just that I like Georgia a lot right now.”

[UMike]

This is today from the Orlando Sentinel..

Keyon Brown, one of the top defensive players in the state in this year's senior class, will make his college choice today at 12:30 and he's thought to be leaning hard toward Georgia among his finalists.

Florida State and Miami are also in the mix for the athletic 6-foot-3, 230-pound linebacker/defensive end from Wauchula's Harde County High.

Brown is the No. 32-ranked player in the Sentinel's 2014 Florida Top 100 and will play either defensive end of linebacker in college, and he's played as a rush end his entire college career. Georgia offers some flexibility and Brown apparently is happy with that senario. The Bulldogs see him as a good fit to work the outside edges with his speed and tenacity, but they will use him where he fits best.

In the first three games for Hardee, which have the Wildcats at 2-1, Brown has averaged 9.3 tackles per game and has nine tackles-for-loss, one sack and six quarterback hurries. He also has scored a touchdown on a 56-yard return of a fumble recovery.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/blogs/recruiting/os-keyon-brown-decison-georgia-fsu-miami-20130926,0,6784233.post

[CaneRock]

UMike, IDGAF! what CIS or the SS says, I say MIAMI! LMAO!

[UMike]

haha CR

[UMike]

There was some chatter than when Trent Harris committed, it kinda pushed Brown out..of course I doubt the coaches would turn down a top pass rusher lol

[UMike]

I do like the fact that even the guys we dont get, Miami is right there in the mix. Winning 10 games or so this year will keep them in the mix for a lot of 2015 kids, and once again South Florida is loaded.

[UpNorthCane27]

Whats good fellas??? just came across a video of the GOAT Sean Taylors lil bro killing them in basketball and football.. Kid looks identical to ST

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1rQpIahGos&feature=player_embedded

[UMike]

Whats good UpNorth? U in for ATL next year?

[CaneRock]

I do like the fact that even the guys we dont get, Miami is right there in the mix. Winning 10 games or so this year will keep them in the mix for a lot of 2015 kids, and once again South Florida is loaded.

Posted by: UMike | September 26, 2013 at 09:31 AM

No doubt!
I agree with Ohio though, I like what we've got on our D-Line, and I like what we've got coming in. We already know about Chad Thomas, but LOOKOUT! for Mike Smith, that kid has the QUICKS! coming off that edge. And I see Juwon young growing into a DE, ala Shayon Green.

[UMike]

CR..agreed..and D. Jackson, kid might be a 4-star before signing day. Miami really found a gem with him.

[Ohio_Cane]

D. Jackson, kid might be a 4-star before signing day. Miami really found a gem with him.

Posted by: UMike | September 26, 2013 at 09:44 AM
--------------------------------------------

That's the new trend with this staff. Forget websites, offers, and stars. Evaluate everyone and decide for yourself who's fit to be a Cane.

Kaaya and now Jackson both virtually unknowns and now blowing up.

Pays to get on them early. (That's what she said)

[UMike]

Especially the local kids, we should be on them way early like we were Jackson. We were also on Jenkins early, Holley before he blew up and a lot more.

[UMike]

Mark Walton the RB from BTW is another example, Miami was his first offer and that will help since the kid is a future 4 or 5 star and most expect him to commit to Miami on his bday next year

[UMike]

Walton will have EVERY major program after him shortly..kid is only a sophomore and built like a college RB.. http://vmedia.rivals.com/IMAGES/PROSPECT/PHOTO/MARKWALTON%20150826.JPG.. how many freshman can come in and start at RB for BTW?

[Ohio_Cane]

Walton is our next Duke. In almost every way. I know, bold call, but it is what it is. I can see it.

[UMike]

Walton should be much bigger than Duke physically, but will be a top RB in his class for sure.

[UMike]

From CIS & Rivals..

Mark Walton

From Rivals...

Was at the game. Was special to see the Canes win on Saturday.

Wants to announce on his bday, March 29 2014.

"As a lifelong Cane fan, Walton is now saying what those closest to him have known for a while: The Hurricanes are the team to beat for him.

"Right now Miami's at the top of my list," Walton said. "They've been on the top of my list. I'm a Miami fan and it's a dream come true to get an offer from your favorite school."

Asked how far in front the Canes are over the rest of the pack, Walton has a unique answer.

"I'd say five miles in front," he said."

"He says of UM's program that "Coach Al Golden has that team going in a great direction now. And coach (James) Coley is doing a great job as offensive coordinator. I'm just ready to be part of the family."

[UpNorthCane27]

Umike, whats good my dude... It's either ATL next year for the Gtech game or down to MIA for the game against fswhoo. Most likely will be the game against Fswhoo that we go see. But either way ill keep everyone posted with the next time were down there...

What i know for sure is that our canes will be making some serious noise for the National Championship game this year and next year and the years that follow that lol.... Im gonna say it, i was gonna wait for the win agaisnt gtech BUT.... WE'RE BACKKKKKKK!!! C A N E S

[Ohio_Cane]

UMike, I'd seen that before. That's why I said a while ago that Canes would really have to screw something up to not get him.

He'll be a 5* and top RB in his class by the time he commits.