On Thursday afternoon, the University of Miami announced that the school’s president Julio Frenk would be leaving to become the next Chancellor of UCLA.
Frenk started his tenure as the president of Miami (FL) in 2015. He will be replaced by the university CEO Joe Echevarria who will serve as the Acting President, effective immediately.
President @julio_frenk is leaving the University of Miami to serve as the next Chancellor of the University of California, Los Angeles, starting January 1, 2025.
— University of Miami (@univmiami) June 12, 2024
The Board of Trustees has selected Chief Executive Officer Joe Echevarria to serve as Acting President of the… pic.twitter.com/5UpZDSNV2k
So, will Frenk’s departure, Echevarria’s temporary stint, and the possibility of yet another person in charge affect the Miami Hurricanes’ athletic department?
Frenk was well respected around the University of Miami and he frequently made moves to support the school’s athletic department.
When he first took on the role of president, Frenk scheduled time to meet with multiple head coaches within the Canes’ program.
“As a coach, you hope that your administration is going to be very, very supportive of athletics. And from what I understand, he is,” Miami men’s basketball head coach Jim Larrañaga said of Frenk.
In 2022, Frenk announced and welcomed Mario Cristobal as the new head coach of Miami's football program.
Over the years, Frenk ensured that the Canes were well supported. He himself had been a former athlete, playing both soccer and basketball.
Frenk had been quoted saying “Athletics is an integral part of education higher education.”
While fans may not feel the direct hit of a new university president, the departure of one who so loudly supports the athletic department is always a loss for their favorite teams.
Canes fans, athletes, and coaches will need to hope that whoever Miami can find as Frenk’s replacement is as big of a sports fan as he is.