Behind The U

Josh Darrow checks in with actor and Canes fan Danny Ramirez, who talks about growing up in Miami, how he connected with the Canes at an early age, why Santana Moss was his favorite player, his transition from college soccer to acting, how he trained for his role in Top Gun: Maverick and what it was like to work with Tom Cruise.

As the season opener fast approaches, Josh Darrow catches up with Canes head baseball coach Gino DiMare, who talks about growing up a Canes fan in Miami, how he was recruited to UM, how he got into coaching, what he learned from Ron Fraser and Jim Morris, how college baseball continues to evolve, and what he expects from his roster in 2023.

Josh Darrow continues his conversation with Miami assistant head coach/offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, who talks more about his coaching path, his relationship with Mario Cristobal, how he approaches offensive line technique, and the values that have served as the foundation for his coaching and teaching career.

For our 100th installment of “Behind the U” Josh Darrow kicks off a two-part episode with Miami assistant head coach/offensive line coach Alex Mirabal, who talks about growing up in Miami, how he got into the coaching business, how his work as a teacher has helped him connect with players on the field and what he thinks of the linemen in the Canes’ 2023 recruiting class.

Miami Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich returns to talk to Josh Darrow about UM’s recent announcement on plans to build a new, on-campus football operations center and how the state-of-the-art facility will benefit the football program, the student-athletes, the entire athletic department, and the University.

Josh Darrow catches up with Miami’s General Manager of Football Operations Alonzo Highsmith, who talks about why he came back to The U, how he leans on his NFL scouting experience, what it takes to build a program in the current college football landscape, what he thinks of the incoming recruiting class and how he views the direction of Canes football.

Josh Darrow checks in with new College Football Hall of Fame inductee Bryant McKinnie, who talks about switching from defensive line to offensive line, why he decided to come to Miami after junior college, the Canes’ dominant run from 2000-01, how the Williams sisters have helped his serve, and his feature turn on “America’s Got Talent.”

Josh Darrow talks to Canes women’s tennis standout Alexa Noel, who details her globetrotting junior career, how the pandemic shifted her focus to college tennis, why she decided to transfer to Miami from Iowa and what her personal and team goals are for the upcoming season.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes linebacker great Bernard Clark, Jr., who talks about playing under Jimmy Johnson, his Orange Bowl MVP performance, the competition that fueled those UM teams, how he got into the coaching profession, his new book and getting the call from the Orange Bowl Hall of Fame this fall.

Josh Darrow checks in with Canes diver Mia Vallée, who talks about her NCAA championship run last season, competing in international events for her native Canada, why she chose to venture to Coral Gables, and how she balances her hectic competition schedule while majoring in UM’s world renowned marine science program.

Josh Darrow catches up with All-America safety Kam Kinchens, who talks about his breakout sophomore season, his leadership role, why he chose to stay close to home at UM and how excited he is about the future of Canes football under Mario Cristobal. 

Josh Darrow walks down memory lane with longtime Associate Athletic Director for Athletic Training Vinny Scavo, who worked under Ron Fraser and Howard Schnellenberger, roomed with an ibis and a Heisman winner, circled the bases with two Major League Baseball teams, and in his latest stint with the Canes was just elected to the UM Sports Hall of Fame. 

Josh Darrow checks in with former Canes All-American cornerback and first-round draft pick Kelly Jennings, who talks about why he picked Miami over other in-state schools, how the Canes were able to construct such a talented secondary, what made Sean Taylor special, how he prepared for life after the NFL and how he fits home schooling into his busy days.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes senior guard Jordan Miller, who talks about last year’s Elite Eight run, why he decided to transfer from George Mason to Miami, how the team is looking to improve this season and how he prepared to deliver the graduation speech at his high school this past spring.

Josh Darrow checks in with former Canes defensive coordinator and NFL head coach Dave Wannstedt, who talks about working with Jimmy Johnson, how their coaching philosophy fit in Miami, the abundance of defensive talent on those UM rosters, how the team bounced back to win the 1987 national title and how his time in Coral Gables prepared him for a long career in the pro ranks. 

Josh Darrow catches up with former Canes All-America center K.C. Jones, who talks about playing under the Friday Night Lights in West Texas, why he chose to come to Miami, his toughest battles on Greentree, how UM prepared him for life in the NFL and his relationship with new Canes head coach Mario Cristobal.

Josh Darrow talks to legendary Canes linebacker Jessie Armstead, who looks back at his ballyhooed recruitment coming out of Dallas, why he chose to come to Coral Gables, what made UM’s defense so dominant, his favorite memories of two national championship runs and how he overcame injuries to play more than a decade in the NFL. 

Josh Darrow catches up with 1987 national champions Melvin Bratton and Greg Mark, who talk about their favorite moments from the 12-0 season, what fueled the team from start to finish, Jimmy Johnson’s influence on their careers and what they think the future holds for Canes football under Mario Cristobal.

Josh Darrow checks in with Canes offensive line great Joaquin Gonzalez, who talks about growing up in Miami, why he decided to attend UM, his favorite memories, moments and teammates from the 2001 national championships team and how both Mario Cristobal and Alex Mirabal have impacted his life on and off the field.

Josh Darrow checks in with UM alum Bruce Feldman, who talks about covering college football for The Athletic, Mario Cristobal returning to Miami, his outlook on the Canes this season, how he developed his famous “Freaks List” and what he sees on the horizon for college football after a newsworthy summer. 

Josh Darrow walks down memory lane with ESPN’s Andrea Adelson, who talks about growing up in Miami, her time as a writer on the Canes beat, how last year’s 2001 national championship retrospective came to life, her thoughts on the hire of Mario Cristobal and how she sees the ACC playing out as football season fast approaches.

Josh Darrow welcomes in new Miami rowing head coach James Mulcahy, who talks about his path to Coral Gables, his coaching background at both Alabama and Team Canada, how he approaches building his roster and what his goals are for the Canes going forward.

Josh Darrow catches up with The Ringer’s Kevin Clark, a UM alum who checks in from his NFL training camp tour to talk Canes football, the hiring of Mario Cristobal, the state of college football, why he became a Canes fan and how he broke into sports journalism. 

Josh Darrow checks in with Denver Nuggets guard and former Canes hoops standout Davon Reed, who talks about why he chose Miami, what he learned from Jim Larrañaga, his most memorable moments as a Cane, how he prepared for the NBA and the journey that took him from the Suns to the Pacers to the G League to Taiwan and now to Denver.

Josh Darrow catches up with one of the Canes’ all-time great running backs Duke Johnson, who talks about growing up in Miami, his legendary high school football days, what motivated him to go to UM and how he’s transitioning to his latest NFL stop in Buffalo.