Pete Garcia, the co-architect of Miami's early 2000s run of greatness left the program yesterday to take over as Athletic Director at cross town rival Florida International. Garcia's decision, leaves no doubt that Miami's once proud athletic program is in shambles and that Butch Davis is not coming back to coach the Hurricanes for the second time.
It has been strongly rumored around South Florida that Garcia would take over from Paul Dee as the UM athletic Director at year's end. If this was the case, he choose F.I.U. over Miami which may seem ridiculous to most outsiders, but as someone privy to the situation at both schools as well as in state government, I believe this was a prudent decision by Garcia. Miami's alumni and donors are dominated by a cliche of establishment players in the Miami area. These tend to be your old timers whose local family connections predate the influx of immigrants to Miami-Dade County. FIU is the new kid on the block, but is much more diverse in it is makeup: a more accurate reflection of the cultures and diversity that make up south Florida. In many ways the contest between FIU and Miami resembles the contest between Florida and Florida State in the 1960s and 1970s. Besides, Miami as an ACC school is trying to imitate Duke and Georgia Tech with its administrative structure. This may be a good thing long term, but in the short term it makes virtual UM lifers like Garcia uncomfortable.
Florida International has all the institutional advantages that Florida State developed in the late 1970s, short of having a big name coach. F.I.U. has a natural recruiting base, a strong political connection to the highest reaches of state government (the second strongest of any school behind FSU, and shockingly ahead of UF, USF or UCF) and an on campus facility. Garcia has contacts throughout the coaching and recruiting world and his decision to leave Miami must indicate to potential coaches and recruits that the program is rapidly changing directions.
FIU isn't ready to overtake Miami just yet. While sharing the same community, both schools are very different places with very different supporters and alumni. Both can co-exist, but no doubt yesterday FIU stole a great deal of Miami's thunder.
Tuesday, October 10, 2006
Garcia's Departure a Sign that Miami and FIU are both changing
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15 comments:
Kartik, you will not say it but I will. FIU is a Hispanic unviersity while Miami is not. Bottom line is that FIU as a majority hispanic university will never overtake UM on the football field. Never. They are an ethnic campus, while Miami can attract the best and brightest from all walks of life. Besides, Miami is in the ACC while FIU is in the sunbelt.
"Pete had no impact on recruiting at the University of Miami," Coker said. "When Pete came in (last year) the recruiting class was already intact, had been evaluated. It was what it was. I asked Pete to look at the tape of our recruits, and Pete said `It's a great class.' As far as evaluation of the recruiting process, Pete wasn't that involved. He did go out some on some visits.
"He was very, very supportive of the football program."
------Larry Coker
Anonymous above said it best... "FIU is s Hispanic university."
Sorry K-man, but if you really think FIU will ever be anything other than a "Dirty Sanchez" to Miami's "Pop-that-coochie" you are mistaken.
FIU wont surpass FAU, nor will it ever be a UCF or USF.
Garcia's leaving is all about money. He has a family of 22 living under his roof. Its no surprise he is leaving to take a higehr paying job.
Viva los dolares!
hey Juan,
let's not talk about "dirty sanchez"...instead, lets discuss the finer things in life such as the "cleveland steamer"
Oh...do I feel some people are a bit threatened here....Good for FIU who is already the major University in South Florida, and poised to do the same in Athletics. Good Bye, um!!!
FIU is a pure cuban school with a cuban mafia. Miami is an elitist school with a bunch of rich white good ole boys. They may be in the same city but that's where the similarities stop.
After leaving prep school my parents spent 100k on my jaguar and 50k a year on my UM education. I partied in the Grove and used you Pedro to wash my car and shine my shoes!
I used to draw pictures and give them to Pedro so he could whipe his ass since he was so poor from washing Carter's car, he couldn't afford to buy toilet paper.
Ron Jeremy,
You're one rusty trombone away from the Hall of Fame.
Kartik, when are you going to stop telling us that you made $900 last month having fun?
Can anyone put something worthwhile on this blog... its turned into absolute crap this season!
and by blog, I mean FSU and Miami.
Can anyone put something worthwhile on this blog... its turned into absolute crap this season!
and by blog, I mean FSU and Miami.
Cane Fans are over reacting to this. Way over reacting.
Hey anonymous...by crap do you mean FSU and Miami?
Check out this awesome site!
http://cokermustgo.com/
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