Homecoming For Highsmith

The University of Miami has hired longtime National Football League executive and Hurricanes great Alonzo Highsmith as general manager of football operations, head football coach Mario Cristobal announced Thursday.

“Alonzo is a true Miami Hurricane,” Cristobal said. “He understands the commitment and sacrifice it takes to be a champion on and off the field. His tremendous passion for the University of Miami and this city is unparalleled.

“Alonzo brings experience as a student-athlete, a first-round NFL draft pick and an NFL executive. He shares our vision for the trajectory and the culture of this football program, and his knowledge and experience will allow him to make a positive and powerful impact on our program and community. I am fired up to welcome home another Miami Hurricane!”

As general manager of football operations, Highsmith will work directly with Cristobal to support all administrative functions of the football program, including budget related items, culture building, program imaging, and working directly with staff members both on and off the field. He will also serve as a liaison between the administration and football program, serve as a liaison between former Miami players and staff, assist with scouting and roster assessment and supervise NFL relations.

“We are excited to welcome Alonzo back to Coral Gables.” Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich said. “His extensive experience as an NFL executive will provide tremendous value to our football operations. In addition, we are looking forward to having him as a member of our senior administrative team.”

Highsmith, who played running back for the Hurricanes from 1983-1986, boasts 29 years’ experience and 18 playoff appearances as an NFL player, scout and executive. He has spent the past 23 years in scouting and personnel, most recently serving as senior executive advisor to the general manager for the Seattle Seahawks.

“It is an honor to come back to the University of Miami and I am very humbled,” Highsmith said. “The opportunity to work with Mario Cristobal and Dan Radakovich, as well as my passion and love for the city of Miami is what brought me back. I could not pass up this opportunity and this challenge.”

Prior to his stint in Seattle, Highsmith served as vice president of personnel for the Cleveland Browns from 2018 to 2019. Before joining the Browns, he spent 19 seasons in the Green Bay Packers’ player personnel department.

Highsmith joined the Packers as a college scout in 1999 and spent 13 years on their college scouting staff. He was promoted to senior personnel executive in 2012 and remained in that role through the 2017 season. During his time in Green Bay, the Packers earned 13 trips to the playoffs, captured nine NFC North division titles and won Super Bowl XLV.

Highsmith starred at Miami’s Columbus High School before lettering four years at Miami, playing for legendary coaches Howard Schnellenberger and Jimmy Johnson. As a freshman fullback he led the Hurricanes in rushing in the 1984 Orange Bowl, helping Miami defeat Nebraska to win the first of its five national championships.

Comments

[Sarasota 'cane]

Hell Yeah! Welcome home Alonzo!

Go ‘canes!

[AeroCane]

Great staff; great admin! We now need to see results in recruiting and on the field!!

[HerbieIbis]

All the pieces seemingly in place, now let's get the parade of top talent marching in the door.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great Stuff! Now let's see the Results on The Field. With Championships and Double Digit Wins! Go Canes!

[86Cane]

It doesn't get any better than this.

Highsmith was my choice for AD.

This role is even better suited for him!

#GoCanes

[Sarasota 'cane]

Orange Bowl Boys interview with Alonzo Highsmith! My link is for Apple Podcasts, but you can find the OBB’s on all the podcast platforms.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/orange-bowl-boys-a-miami-hurricanes-podcast/id1445482395?i=1000564152359

Go ‘canes!

P.S. You should bookmark the OBB’s podcast because they are embedded with the program as is evidenced by this interview.

[Sarasota 'cane]

Alonzo’s take on the Portal and the NIL is not to be missed!

To paraphrase: “Who wants to live in Tuscaloosa, or Baton Rouge, or South Bend when you can get the same thing in South Florida or Southern California?”

Agreed!

Go ‘canes!

[Terrance Sullivan]

My Thing is say Miami and Say Los Angeles because why would you say a Town/City then say a Region to counter it. Make it Oranges 🍊 to Oranges 🍊 Not Apples or to Oranges Argument Love Alonzo but clear that up because a Ham and Egger like Me ate up his point someone above my pay grade can make mince meat out of it. Anyways Go Canes!

[Terrance Sullivan]

To Further Explain My Point South Bend is in the Chicagoland Region the 3rd Biggest City and Market In The Nation! BATON Rouge is in the New Orleans Region plenty of people love New Orleans. If you say Athens that's in the Atlanta Region people love Atlanta. Clemson is in the Charlotte Region People Love Charlotte so that's why I say Detail it out. Anyways absolutely love ❤ the hire and Let's keep the momentum Going! Go Canes!

[HerbieIbis]

Ty Johnson to the portal.

[86Cane]

Is anyone surprised that the NCAA didn't contact Jimbo Fisher about his public comments about Nick Saban to see exactly what he meant or not really?

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great Point Soupster The NCAA has and remains a crock of Bleep!

[AeroCane]

15-3 wake forest up on our Gino dimare led canes in the 7th

[AeroCane]

TS
I think you’re over analyzing it
People associate the canes with south Florida and
USC with southern cal
You say Georgia, Clemson, ND even Florida people think college town not the next biggest city over IJS
LSU I agree but I for 1 think New Orleans is an absolute dumpster of a city IMO

[Terrance Sullivan]

After A Absolutely Brutal Performance In Charlotte for ACC Tournament our Canes need to get home rest up and get ready to host Regionals and definitely try to win that. That's most likely Ceiling for this team. Most likely we have lost a national seed and probably would have to go on the road for Super Regionals if we make it that Far. Still excellent season and best we have had since 2016 team the last team to go to Omaha(College World Series). Go Canes!

[AeroCane]

TS
They’re projecting us a 9
Which means we won’t host a super regional unless an underdog comes out of the other bracket
Hoping for the best, but I doubt we make it out of our regional
Dimare just isn’t very good (and we’ve known this for 2 years now) so hoping AD Rad makes a move after the season UNLESS we win our regional and at least win 1 game in the super regional (ie don’t get embarrassed like we did in both games in the acc tourney)

[HerbieIbis]

If we are pitiful in the regional, Dimare has to go. Coughing up 11 bombs in 2 games ain't getting. I knew the pitching was so so but those outings were here it is hit it.
The very least, they need a new pitching coach.
Rosario must have something on Dimare because he keeps sending him out to get roughed up and then turn around and says he still believes in him. Either that dude has been pitching hurt or he just plain sucks.

[AeroCane]

Herb
Yep
We also seem to forget last year’s EMBARRASSING effort against FSU where we lost by a combined 34-2 over the 3 game series!
He should of been fired at that time similar to manny (he should of been fired after the loss to FIU)
We waited too long to fire manny and as I said, if we don’t win our regional and at least 1 in the super, Gino should be fired as well! I do think AD Rad will do what’s best for the school!

[nemo2020]

Too bad the Heat lost the game tonight.
But former Hurricane star, TITO HORFORD, must really be proud of his son AL who played well during series.

[nemo2020]

Miami is selected to host a regional.
That's progress, I guess.

[AeroCane]

Nemo
We knew we were getting a regional - it was the super regional we were on the bubble for. Losing both in the acc and not performing the last month of the season I feel sealed our fate on that. So if we are not in the top 8, The only way we host the super regional is if we win our regional (which I doubt) and a lower seed wins the opposing regional. It does happen once in a blue moon.
Have a safe Memorial Day weekend Cane fans!
PS also sad and disappointing the Heat lost

[AeroCane]

WOW
So we got a number 6 national seed - crazy but awesome (we lost 6 of our last 8 games)
Our regional includes Arizona, ole miss and canisus
IF we pull out the regional, we will host a super regional.
GO CANES

[HerbieIbis]

It's possible we can get hot again but then again our pitching staff is, well u know, a gopher ball waiting to happen.
MLB ball is not jumping as much from last year. They must of shipped last years superballs down to the college ranks.

[nemo2020]

On Sunday, the Dolphins lost football operations assistant Brandon LeBlanc to the Miami Hurricanes, he announced himself on social media. With the Hurricanes, LeBlanc will serve as the assistant director of football operations. LeBlanc had been with the Dolphins since June of 2021.

[VA Cane]

Interesting additions...love addition of Highsmith....a proven winner...an original Cane.
Don't know enough about Leblanc to say anything about him or how he will work/help. Hope it goes well....I do not know how fast things will change...but the effort and enthusiasm is there!

2 positives from Memorial Day Holiday....kudos to Indycar Series and Nascar....great races....but the attention to veterans was impressive...taps, Amazing Grace on bagpipes, the honor and respect shown to the vets living and deceased, and their families....richly deserving, moving to me.

2 negatives from it....SF Giants manager and my Raiders working Colin Kap out. You can have your opinions and have a right to them....but that flag was fought and died for by many great men and women...who were far greater than any of us....you respect that flag, not insult it, and seeing it, you do everything in your power to help fight for the changes we can all see that need addressing. Its the only flag in the world that lets you have your opinions without question...because others were willing to die so freedom may live.

This is not a lean to any party or belief...it is about loving our troops who have made America possible, and that our flag represents those sacrifices made by true American heroes...real heroes!
JMO

[The Word From The Herb]

Well it depends on what u say now a days or u could cancelled, me I don't give a dam, it's freedom of speech that matters.
Just like I hope that LeBlanc is kin to Derek, whom we need to reel in.

[nemo2020]

‘I’M BACK’: Star guard Isaiah Wong announces he’s returning to Miami for another season.

[86Cane]

On Sunday, the Dolphins lost football operations assistant Brandon LeBlanc to the Miami Hurricanes, he announced himself on social media. With the Hurricanes, LeBlanc will serve as the assistant director of football operations. LeBlanc had been with the Dolphins since June of 2021.

Posted by: nemo2020 | May 31, 2022 at 07:20 AM

Well that's INTERESTING? From pro to college U say? Not the other way around U say? Hmmmm...

[HerbieIbis]

Well, all these moves Mario has made to up grade the program, seems to have fallen on deaf ears.
Now I know it's still early but we still have no QB, No DB's, no RB's and no DLinemen. U would have thought by now we would have somewhere between 8 and 10 commits, with a couple big fish hooked. Mario is going to find it a little harder to recruit down south, than out west.
We supposedly have some of the best recruiting coaches money can buy. Where's the fruit?

Canes baseball takes the field Friday against mighty Canisius. Dimare better hope that pitching staff steps up. The best I can see is us going 2-2 and if that prediction holds true, he should be gone.
Hopefully we can get our shyt together and roll thru and prove The Herb wrong.

[VA Cane]

Mario on Herd...good interview....positive...spoke of JJ old players culture....he almost said fundamentals.....know you all think I am crazy...but...SO important So overlooked good interview....he is cautiously optimistic....good at not showing his hand....we are still a little weak and I think a little soft...we are not in the hunt for NC...but we could win 10 games....I would be happy....guess we will see.....I like the positive.

Dont like Boston, dont like any of their sports teams...but their guys play some serious up front D....and score....I think their D...if it stays like tonight will be the difference....dont like BUT respect to their style!!!!

[HerbieIbis]

Got to love the Celts in 6.

[CGNC]

VA - I don't like any of the Boston teams either - except I give the Red Sox get a pass because that was my parent's favorite team

Now let's see what Canes baseball can do....

[AeroCane]

Rained out
To play tomorrow
FYI

[DallasTX Cane]

https://apple.news/AWQFTk0C7QhSZVJItSyL-EA

Nice little article about Frank Gore…

[DallasTX Cane]

The GREAT Frank Gore that is

[orange 'n green in the vein]

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/33939006/ranking-all-131-college-football-quarterback-situations-tiers

Tier 2; Heisman Waiting Room.

"Posted by: nemo2020 | June 01, 2022 at 01:14 PM"

The floor is the ceiling again!

[DallasTX Cane]

Top 6 = not bad company to be in!

“In each of his final six games, Van Dyke threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns. The only other player to do that vs. six straight Power 5 foes in the playoff era was Joe Burrow in 2019. Solid company.”

Perhaps less than popular opinion… replacing Lashlee is major key to offensive success this season. Whatever else he didn’t do well, he obviously coached up & found way to coax success out of TVD

[HerbieIbis]

Yeah DT, no complaints about Lash. I mean our running game stunk for the most part and he didn't coach the Ohline.

[AeroCane]

Game just started
Ligon pitching for the Canes. IF we win, we have palmquist going tomorrow

[AeroCane]

And he’s starting off the same way he ended the acc
Giving up 2 singles to start the game / let’s hope he puts it together and shuts Canisus down

[AeroCane]

Wow, a double - no outs, 2nd snd 3rd, canes down 1-0

[AeroCane]

Heading to bottom of first
Canes down 2-0 going up against canisius’ ace

[AeroCane]

Heading to the 2nd
Morales with a HR
2-1 canes down

[AeroCane]

Heading to the 4th
4-3 bad guys
Morales with his 2nd HR to account for all 3 runs

[AeroCane]

I spoke too soon
Burke with a dinger
4-4

[AeroCane]

8-5 canes in the 8th

[AeroCane]

Morales with 3, yes 3, HRs and 5 RBIs
Ligon didn’t even last 2 innings
Torres and Ziehl with 2 scoreless innings a piece

[AeroCane]

McFarland comes in in the 8th and gives up 3 hits and a run
Leaves the bases loaded with 1 out for Walters
8-5
Walters shuts them down - 8-5 heading to the bottom of the 8th

[AeroCane]

Canes baseball wins 11-6
Will play tomorrow against the winner of Arizona - ole miss (game 2).
Loser of ole miss - Arizona game (game 2) plays canisius in the elimination game (game 3)

[TonyCane]

Herbie, the thought seems to be that NIL is changing the game. Kids are taking their time and waiting to see who will be the highest bidder. We’re not talking about a max bag of $300K, we are looking at NIL contracts of up to $8M currently (Tenn) and perhaps much more with Manning. I wouldn’t be surprised to see some of the 5 stars wait until the original signing day to try to drive up their prices to the maximum.

Alabama only has 4 commitments presently. USC has 5. Same as Miami. Texas Tech is currently the 2nd ranked school of 2023; there is no way that they finish at that.