Miami Hurricanes legendary Athletic Director Sam Jankovic dies

Sam Jankovic began his tenure as the Miami Hurricanes athletic director as the football program was beginning a dynasty in 1983.

Sam Jankovic was the Miami Hurricanes athletic director from 1983-90 when he took over as the President and CEO of the New England Patriots. In Jankovic’s seven years as the Miami athletic director, the Hurricanes won six national championships, including three in football and one in baseball.

Jankovic was instrumental in hiring Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson as the head football coaches. Erickson came from Washington State where Jankovic had previously been the athletic director. Erickson played for and coached under Jim Sweeney at Montana State where Jankovic had been an assistant coach.

Jankovic led a successful effort to reestablish the Miami basketball program in 1985 after it had been dormant for 11 years. The Hurricanes hired former Charlotte and Clemson head coach Bill Foster to oversee the return of the basketball program. Miami went 78-71 in Foster’s five seasons.

The Hurricanes won the 1983 National Championship in football under Howard Schnellenberger during Jankovic’s first year. Schnellenberger left to head the Miami franchise in the USFL that never came to fruition. Johnson led the Hurricanes to a 52-9 record over five seasons and the 1987 National Championship.

Erickson took over in 1989 and led Miami to an 11-1 season and the football program’s third national championship in seven seasons under a third head coach. He stayed at Miami for 63-9 record in six years and a second national championship and fourth overall for the school in 1991 when Miami went 12-0.

Jankovic was an adept fundraiser and Miami won six national titles during his tenure. According to his University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame profile, Miami won titles” in women’s golf (1984), baseball (1985), women’s tennis (doubles, 1986), men’s tennis (singles, 1987) and football (1987 and 1989).”

Jankovic’s UMSHoF Profile highlighted his fundraising efforts and the results of what got built under his tenure.

"“Instrumental in a four-fold increase in annual gifts to UM athletics during his time as athletic director as the department’s annual gifts rose from $750,000 in 1982 to $3 million in 1990.Major facilities improvements also were a byproduct of Jankovich’s stewardship as the $1.1 million Knight Sports Complex was completed along with the Tom Kearns UM Hall of Fame Building, the Golden Cane Football Office Building, renovation of the Hecht Athletic Center, construction of the Ron Fraser Building for baseball, and additions to the Neil Schiff Tennis Center.Jankovich also was a force in the revival of UM’s men’s basketball program, overseeing the program’s rebirth in 1985 into a nationally competitive program.”"

Miami Hurricanes head football head coach Manny Diaz and athletic director Blake James passed along their condolences to Jankovic’s family. Diaz let reporters know on Wednesday after practice.

"“I was just informed of the passing of Sam Jankovich, who was athletic director here, really, when it all started, in ’83 through the run of the first three national championships.Just on behalf of the entire University of Miami family, I want to express our condolences to his family and just our thoughts to all of his friends — and certainly what he meant to helping build, leading what this is today and his impact on that.”"

Without Jankovic, the Miami athletic program would not be where it is. Jankovic oversaw the expansion of facilities on campus the success of several athletic programs and the hiring of multiple key coaches. Jankovic will have a legacy at Miami that will last for eternity.