Miami football legend Alonzo Highsmith hired as Football Operations GM
Miami football legend Alonzo Highsmith is returning to the Hurricanes in the newly created General Manager of Football Operations according to Susan Miller Degnan of the Miami Herald. Highsmith will be responsible for overseeing recruiting and building a defacto scouting department to acquire top talent.
Highsmith will arrive in Miami on Monday and begin his new position. Miami is creating a pro-style program with the creation of the GM of Football Operations position. Highsmith has been an NFL executive since 2012. With the Green Bay Packers from 2012–2017 as a senior personnel executive.
After his stint in Green Bay, Highsmith was the Cleveland Browns’ vice president of player personnel from 2018 through 2019. Highsmith was a Seattle Seahawks’ Personnel executive since 2020. Miller Degnan reported that Highsmith will work with head coach Mario Cristobal and athletic director Dan Radakovich.
The Sun-Sentinel broke the news about Highsmith. Highsmith spent 19 seasons in the Green Bay personnel department. Highsmith has been previously been a candidate for jobs during the last two offseasons with Miami. The newly created position seems to be the best fit for Highsmith and Miami.
We were asked to hold off on this until AM, but now that it's out, @smillerdegnan and I confirmed this week that Alonzo Highsmith is returning to UM as a football executive. Susan will post her story in a minute.
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) May 26, 2022
Miller Degnan reported that former head coach Manny Diaz did not want Highsmith in a GM-type role. Diaz reportedly did not want to look over his shoulder. Before Miami hired Radakovich as the new AD, Highsmith was reportedly considered. Highsmith has never been an Athletic Director before.
Miller Degnan reported that the Miami board of trustees wanted Highsmith on the Hurricanes’ staff. Cristobal has the confidence to work with Highsmith as a head coach entering his 11th season. Highsmith considers himself a talent evaluator. Miami gains an experienced NFL talent evaluator.
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Highsmith in the position of General Manager for the entire Miami football program can mentor Cristobal and the entire coaching staff. Co-defensive coordinators Kevin Steele and Charlie Strong are the only coaches on the Miami staff with experience in the NFL. Hiring Highsmith continues an eventual offseason for the Miami.