Miami Hurricanes women’s basketball coach Katie Meier spoke about the shift in the attitude of the athletic department since athletic director Dan Radakovich was hired in December. The hiring of Radakovich and Mario Cristobal as head football coach have changed the outlook for the Miami athletic department.
Miami Hurricanes boosters have become more dedicated with the tandem of Cristobal and Radakovich in place as the two highest-profile athletic personnel with head basketball coach Jim Larranaga. University President Julio Frenk has become more involved in Miami Hurricanes athletics.
Frenk appointed his chief of staff Rudy Fernandez and UHealth CEO Joe Echevarria as his point persons on sports. Booster John Ruiz who is reportedly worth $20 billion has stepped up and helped multiple Miami athletes across the athletic department with both genders receive Name, Image and Likeness deals.
During the season-ending press conferences for the basketball programs earlier this week, Meier praised Radakovich and that for the first time in her 17 years as head coach that her ideas have a greater possibility of coming to fruition. Meier added it wasn’t an indictment on any of the previous Miami athletic directors.
"“I’m so fired up. I’ve been here 17 years and I’ve had ideas, things I want to get done…It’s the person [Radakovich] and the time, the university is empowering athletics a little bit more and making some big, bold moves and that has a lot to do with the community stepping up and the president saying`Yes, I like this.’ I think so much is going to happen in these next two years that are going to blow people away.”"
Those donors together with Radakovich will work on getting projects funded for facility upgrades. Coaches will feel more empowered to present their ideas about what their programs need with a greater chance of those ideas coming to fruition. Having Cristobal as the face of Miami athletics will also help greatly.
If Cristobal can get the football programs rolling with a return to national prominence the rest of the athletic department will benefit. Ruiz and other prominent alums are a big reason for the big bold moves the Hurricanes’ athletic department is taking. Frenk should be praised for a change in direction and for allowing necessary changes.