Miami Hurricanes AD says too soon to discuss spring 2021 football season

Appearing on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM on Friday morning Miami Hurricanes athletic director Blake James stated it is too soon to speculate on what could happen with the 2020 college football season.

There has been a lot of speculation on what is going to happen with the 2020 college football season and if it will be able to start on time. Multiple contingency plans have been debated across traditional and social media. On Friday Miami Hurricanes athletic director Blake James appeared on the Joe Rose Show on WQAM.

Miami is scheduled to begin the 2020 football season at Hard Rock Stadium on September 5 against Temple. Nearly five months to the day before that game is scheduled there is very serious doubt that the season could start on time. Many scenarios that three weeks ago would have been absurd are being considered.

Some of the ideas that have been discussed per various media outlets include moving the season up to July concluding in September without a postseason, only having teams play conference games and potentially pushing the season to spring from February through May. How that would all affect the Miami Hurricanes will play out.

James discussed the absurdity of the times we are in, how it’s affected collegiate sports in general, what he is doing to cope and the impact it could have on the college football season with kickoff still five months away. The situation is being monitored and has been discussed by college administrators.

"“My plan and my belief is we are going to play a football season next year. My hope is we are on the schedule we have scheduled right now. If someone said to me you have to start football season in October, November, December, January, February, whatever it is to get it in next year, that is something we would want to do and want to have in place.”Given we are five months away from the season, it’s too early to say this is going to happen or this needs to happen.’ Right now, we’re committed to doing everything we need to do as part of this community to bring an end to this pandemic.”"

There are a lot of obstacles to unpack if football played a spring season. The games would go head to head with college basketball. Which would take precedence and how would that impact the financial status of both sports. The middle of a spring college football season would be in March during the NCAA Tournament.

James has spoken with Miami Hurricanes head coach Manny Diaz and other administrators about the possibility of the season moving to spring. Other questions could also include any training camp for a spring season or if there can be one if the season starts on time this fall. When will we be able to resume regular activities?

"“Have talked about what would it look like if we started fall camp right on time to if we had to push fall camp [to later on]. I’ve even had conversations with colleagues around the country about what if we moved the college football season out. There hasn’t been any talks I’ve been a part of about canceling the season.Are we talking potential scenarios? Yeah.  Everyone I’ve talked with is committed to having our sports back on as soon as possible, but most importantly everyone is focused on bringing an end to this pandemic. Hurricane football is an important part of this community.”"

All anyone, including the collegiate administrators, can do it wait. Ideas and scenarios for the future that include sports are changing daily. Everyone has an opinion on what the next step should be in society and sports. James will continue to work with his colleagues and the NCAA on the future of college football.

How the 2020 season or 2021 spring season manifests itself will continue to evolve. Other administrators around the country have provided their opinion of how college football should proceed forward. Most college football teams begin training camp in early August. As that time gets closer decisions will need to be made.