Behind The U

Josh Darrow checks in with new Canes golf coach Janice Olivencia, who talks about her journey as a collegiate and professional golfer, how she got into coaching, what she learned as a longtime assistant at Florida and why she seized the opportunity to take over the Miami program.

Josh Darrow chats with the man behind the famous milkshakes at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field as Mitch Freedman details how he got his start with Ron Fraser and Canes baseball, what’s behind his milkshake operations and marketing, how the signature shakes come to life and some of his favorite memories over 37 years of dishing out his delicious treats.

Josh Darrow talks to Canes women’s basketball legend and current assistant coach Shenise Johnson, who discusses how she fell in love with basketball, what made her choose to play for Katie Meier at Miami, how she helped accelerate the program’s trajectory, her career in the WBNA and the transition from player to coach at her alma mater.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes baseball legend and MLB standout Jon Jay, who talks about growing up a Canes fans for all seasons, playing for Jim Morris, his favorite memories at The Light, going back to school and how the lessons he learned in Coral Gables translated to a stellar 12-year career in the Majors.

Josh Darrow chats with legendary Miami diving coach Randy Ableman, who talks about what drew him to the UM job, how he has sustained success over three decades, how he helps his divers manage the pressure of the situation and some of his most memorable moments at both Miami and his six Olympic coaching experiences.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes swimming coach Andy Kershaw, who talks about how he got into coaching, what attracted him to the Miami job, how he is continuing to build the Canes program and how his Olympic coaching experience has helped at the college level.

As we close out Mental Health Awareness Month, Josh Darrow has a powerful, emotional and unfiltered conversation with Canes assistant strength and conditioning coach Jeff Eaton, who talks about his battle with mental illness, how his support system helped him in his time of need and why he hopes sharing his story can encourage others to seek help.

Josh Darrow talks to new Canes assistant basketball coach Kotie Kimble, who talks about his path to coaching, who has influenced him along the way, why his teams’ offenses have been so successful, what attracted him to the Miami job and what excites him about the future of the program.

Josh Darrow chats with Canes baseball public address announcer Jay Rokeach, who talks about his 54 seasons calling games at The Light, how he first met Ron Fraser as a UM student, the genesis behind Miami’s craziest marketing ideas at the ballpark, his all-time Canes starting nine and his favorite memories calling football games at the Orange Bowl.

Josh Darrow catches up with recent UM Sports Hall of Fame inductee and All-America linebacker Jay Brophy, who talks about being recruited by Howard Schnellenberger, how the Canes shocked the college football world his senior year, his time with the Dolphins under Don Shula and what it was like to coach LeBron James on the high school gridiron.

Josh Darrow talks to Canes men’s tennis coach Aljosa Piric, who shares his remarkable story of leaving war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina as a teenager, how he ended up in Italy and then the United States, how tennis helped him navigate his journey, what drew him to college coaching and his goals as he continues to push the Canes program forward.

Josh Darrow catches up with ESPN broadcaster and former Canes volleyball student-athlete Christine Williamson, who talks about her time at The U, how she broke into broadcasting, how her role continues to evolve at ESPN and her takeaways from serving as the emcee at UM’s recent Celebration of Women’s Athletics.

Josh Darrow revisits Miami’s recent Elite Eight run with point guard Charlie Moore, who discusses playing high school ball in Chicago, his decision to come to UM, how the team came together during the season, some of the season’s most memorable moments and his thoughts on Coach L’s locker room dance moves.

Josh Darrow checks in with new Canes offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, who talks about why he came to Miami, the coaching staff that Mario Cristobal has assembled, his thoughts on UM’s roster, winning last season’s Broyles Award and what drives his offensive philosophy. 

In part two of a two-part episode, Josh Darrow continues his talk with Miami’s new strength and conditioning coordinator Aaron Feld, who details his career path, his relationship with Mario Cristobal, his philosophy when it comes to helping his players succeed physically and mentally and how excited he is to put his program to work at The U.

In part one of a two-part episode, Josh Darrow sits down with Miami’s new strength and conditioning coordinator Aaron Feld, who details his career path, his relationship with Mario Cristobal, his philosophy when it comes to helping his players succeed physically and mentally and how excited he is to put his program to work at The U.

To tip off the first week of March Madness Josh Darrow catches up with former Canes point guard Angel Rodriguez, who talks about growing up in Puerto Rico, moving to Miami in high school, transferring from Kansas State to The U, the Canes’ Sweet 16 run in 2016 and how he’s continuing his professional basketball career back home.

Josh Darrow checks in with former Canes quarterback Jacory Harris, who talks about his decision to play at Miami, how he handled the transition to a new coaching staff during his tenure, why he decided to become a firefighter and how the mental and physical lessons he learned from football have helped him in his new career.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes associate head basketball coach Chris Caputo, who talks about competing on the legendary New York City high school basketball courts, how he got his start in coaching, his longtime relationship with Jim Larrañaga, how his role has evolved at UM and what has been special about this group of Canes in 2021-22.

Josh Darrow checks in with Canes guard Kameron McGusty, who discusses Miami’s improved play on the court this season, the big win at Duke, his relationship with Coach L, rooming with current NBA star Trae Young at Oklahoma and why he decided to come back for one more season in Coral Gables.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes alum and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver K.J. Osborn, who talks about his decision to transfer to Miami, how he became a leader in the locker room so quickly, his breakout second season with the Vikings and what being a part of the U Family means to him. 

Josh Darrow checks in with Miami Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich, who talks about his journey through college athletics, what he has learned from the successes at his previous stops, his decision to return to Coral Gables and his vision for UM Athletics going forward. 

Josh Darrow talks to Rudy Fernandez, the University of Miami’s Senior Vice President for Public Affairs and Communications and Chief of Staff to the President, who discusses his lifelong passion for the Canes, the story behind the recent hirings of a new athletic director and head football coach, and the integral role that UM Athletics plays in the University’s overall mission.

Josh Darrow has an in-depth conversation with former UM and NFL offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson, who talks about growing up in Minneapolis as a standout football and basketball player, coming to Miami as the nation’s top overall recruit, his NFL career, his battle with Crohn’s disease and what he’s planning to do next.

Josh Darrow checks in with two-time UM national champion and two-time Super Bowl champion Darrin Smith, who looks back at his decision to come to Miami, the Canes’ stacked linebacker group during that run, working on his Master’s degree while he was still playing, getting drafted by Jimmy Johnson in Dallas and some of his favorite moments as a Cane.