Miami Hurricanes event at the wharf on Miami River makes a big splash

Only in Miami and who else is doing this? That is what Miami Hurricanes head football coach Manny Diaz asked of the crowd who paid $60-75 per ticket to see the new Hurricanes leader and staff on Wednesday night.

The event at The Wharf on the Miami River was the first of a spring tour that Manny Diaz and his staff will go on throughout Florida and specified locations nationally. The Miami Hurricanes football coaches and staff entered the event on a yacht and had some other big surprises throughout the night.

The Miami Herald’s Susan Miller Degnan covered the event and the official Miami Hurricanes twitter and football accounts provided numerous visuals of the latest in an incredible offseason that has repeatedly drummed up excitement from Diaz.

The remaking of the offensive and recruiting staffs, six additional players through the transfer portal after Mark Richt signed two in December and some big-name recruits to salvage a mediocre recruiting class in February have all been part of a thrilling and productive offseason by Diaz.

Wednesday night’s event was go big or go home which is how Diaz has been operating since taking over as head coach in December. He seems to be a better fit as the Miami head coach than Richt was. That’s even though Richt was a former Miami Hurricanes quarterback. The entrance to the event was in grand style.

The entrance came on an 88-foot Riva yacht according to Miller Degnan who quoted Diaz and some fans at the event. Diaz reiterated that Miami does things differently than other schools.

"“We do things differently than other people do…Look where we’re at. Look at The Wharf. Who else has this? Who else is here doing this? No one is doing this. Everybody else is in some field. Or they’re in some bar in some hotel. Or they’re in a barn somewhere.We’re by the river in the greatest city in the country. Hey, do you like our ride we came in on?”"

Diaz followed his introduction and his proclamation that the Miami Hurricanes do things differently by introducing his head coaches who entered one-by-one by chest bumping Sebastian the Ibis.

Among the other coaches and administrators in attendance were Miami athletic director Blake James and Men’s and Women’s basketball coaches Jim Larranaga and Katie Meier. Miller Degnan also spoke with Jesse Marks, UM’s senior associate athletic director/development.

"“We’re celebrating all the great energy that Coach Manny Diaz and his coaching staff are bringing to the program and the city. What a great evening at a great venue to celebrate the New Miami — outside, on the Miami River, with the Magic City skyline as the backdrop.’’"

Courtesy of the Miami Herald

The Miami Hurricanes will have their lone South Florida scrimmage of the spring at Traz Powell Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The next event will be in Orlando before the Spring Game at Camping World Stadium.

Per Miller Degnan, the event in Orlando on April 20 is a pre-game brunch buffet in the Center State Club at Camping World Stadium. It is $50 for Hurricane Club members and $75 for non-members.  Diaz and James will be on hand for a question and answer session