There still are no signs that any interviews have taken place but based on what we have been able to find out you would have to think that the leading candidate to replace Al Golden right now is Butch Davis.
On face value, it seems insurmountable but guys like Mario Cristobal and Rob Chudzinski can't be counted out and the University is believed to still be very interested in finding out who else out there is interested.
Sources tell me that Davis has the support of several of Miami's most influential boosters, led by guys like tomato grower Paul Dimare and Chicago businessmanTed Schwartz, who donated a big chunk of the money for the Schwartz Center.
Davis also has the support of several former players. There have been a few conference calls organized by Jon Vilma and among a select group of former players such as Jerome McDougle and Edgerrin James. The players would like to have input. But the problem is that there really is not a platform for it and is not something the University has expressed interest in. Sources told CaneSport that the players are lined up behind Butch right now, but are open to other candidates if they emerge.
Davis also has the support of 70% of the fan base based on a poll conducted by CaneSport.
So why doesn't Davis have the job already?
Well largely because the University wants this to be a legitmate search, not a rush to judgement. And not EVERYBODY is lined up behind Davis. In fact one of the greatest concerns has been that there has been such a groundswell of support and buzz over Davis that some coaches out there might be considering it a done deal
The Mario Cristobal camp has been surprisingly very quiet, though there is no denying Cristobal's strong interest in the job. He is preoccupied with preparing Alabama's offensive line for its biggest game of the year this Saturday against LSU. But Cristobal passed by several South Florida high schools on a recruiting trip Friday and Saturday and several high school coaches have told CaneSport they favor his hiring as coach. However there has been internal debate on whether Cristobal is experienced enough to match up against some of the other guys on the board, such as Davis or even Rob Chudzinski, with deeper resumes. Cristobal has a ton of support for a staff position under the head coach, but is unlikely to be interested in that.
We have told you from Day 1 that Texas' Charlie Strong would be interested in Miami if Blake James chose to reach out to him. Strong even mistakenly had a slip of tongue in a press conference the other day and said "Miami" when he meant Notre Dame. But we do not believe there has been any contact there to this point and Strong's stock took a massive drop when he lost Saturday to Iowa State.We are also hearing that Georgia, currently weighing whether to keep Mark Richt, also might have some interest in Strong. So I would not eliminate Strong as a candidate, but it is looking less likely.
So that's about it for right now. There is no timeline so the University is not putting pressure on itself with this search. It is willing to take its time in the interest of getting the best coach available. Right now though, even though there is a long way to go, it is looking like Davis has the best chance of the candidates who have been mentioned publicly.
On face value, it seems insurmountable but guys like Mario Cristobal and Rob Chudzinski can't be counted out and the University is believed to still be very interested in finding out who else out there is interested.
Sources tell me that Davis has the support of several of Miami's most influential boosters, led by guys like tomato grower Paul Dimare and Chicago businessmanTed Schwartz, who donated a big chunk of the money for the Schwartz Center.
Davis also has the support of several former players. There have been a few conference calls organized by Jon Vilma and among a select group of former players such as Jerome McDougle and Edgerrin James. The players would like to have input. But the problem is that there really is not a platform for it and is not something the University has expressed interest in. Sources told CaneSport that the players are lined up behind Butch right now, but are open to other candidates if they emerge.
Davis also has the support of 70% of the fan base based on a poll conducted by CaneSport.
So why doesn't Davis have the job already?
Well largely because the University wants this to be a legitmate search, not a rush to judgement. And not EVERYBODY is lined up behind Davis. In fact one of the greatest concerns has been that there has been such a groundswell of support and buzz over Davis that some coaches out there might be considering it a done deal
The Mario Cristobal camp has been surprisingly very quiet, though there is no denying Cristobal's strong interest in the job. He is preoccupied with preparing Alabama's offensive line for its biggest game of the year this Saturday against LSU. But Cristobal passed by several South Florida high schools on a recruiting trip Friday and Saturday and several high school coaches have told CaneSport they favor his hiring as coach. However there has been internal debate on whether Cristobal is experienced enough to match up against some of the other guys on the board, such as Davis or even Rob Chudzinski, with deeper resumes. Cristobal has a ton of support for a staff position under the head coach, but is unlikely to be interested in that.
We have told you from Day 1 that Texas' Charlie Strong would be interested in Miami if Blake James chose to reach out to him. Strong even mistakenly had a slip of tongue in a press conference the other day and said "Miami" when he meant Notre Dame. But we do not believe there has been any contact there to this point and Strong's stock took a massive drop when he lost Saturday to Iowa State.We are also hearing that Georgia, currently weighing whether to keep Mark Richt, also might have some interest in Strong. So I would not eliminate Strong as a candidate, but it is looking less likely.
So that's about it for right now. There is no timeline so the University is not putting pressure on itself with this search. It is willing to take its time in the interest of getting the best coach available. Right now though, even though there is a long way to go, it is looking like Davis has the best chance of the candidates who have been mentioned publicly.
