Miami athletic director Blake James spoke out on Thursday morning about the comments that he is not aligned with University President Julio Frenk and head coach Manny Diaz made by Kirk Herbstreit on ESPN Gameday. James addressed the comments by Herbstreit during an appearance on the Packer and Durham Show.
The comments from James came after Diaz addressed them in his weekly press conference last week and Frenk released a letter before the Virginia game on September 30. James’ appearance on the ACC Network with Packer and Durham came after he turned down multiple interview requests with the Miami Herald.
Diaz, Frenk and James had to address the comments. Diaz and Frenk did so in a reasonable amount of time. With the Herald reaching out to James mulitple times why did he wait until 12 days after Herbstreit commented to appear on Packer and Durham. James labeled the comments from Herbstreit inaccurate.
James spoke the obvious that the Miami football program is not where they need to be at 2-3. The Hurricanes have regressed after finishing 8-3 in the first season under Diaz. James told Packer and Durham it is not how they expected the season to go. That’s obvious. James implied Miami can turn it around with seven games left.
"“It wasn’t well received because it’s inaccurate…When you look at what our program has done, and the investments we’ve made under Dr. Frenk in football and athletics overall, it’s been significant.What was most frustrating, I think for all of us here that really have an understanding of where things are at, is the statement was just inaccurate and was something that caught us by surprise. It’s frustrating to have something like that out there. Obviously, you heard Manny address it.President Frenk’s addressed it. I’ve talked to a number and obviously addressed it here today. We have great alignment.”"
With Miami on a bye this weekend before playing at North Carolina on October 16, James said DIaz has the team focused. Diaz having the team focused should be a given for every week. The Miami offense was dominated in the first half by the Virginia defense five days after Herbstreit made those comments.
Herbstreit is the most prominant analyst in college football. College football fans and media nationally pay attention to his comments. If Miami doesn’t turn their season around quickly the observations locally and nationally about the Hurricanes will only become more critical. Winning is the only way to limit the critics.