Behind The U

As a run up to Miami’s seventh annual Celebration of Women’s Athletics presented by adidas, Josh Darrow talks to Estela Perez-Somarriba, whose decorated tennis career includes the 2019 NCAA singles title, five All-America honors, the most wins in UM history, two degrees and a 3.9 GPA. Josh also visits with Deputy AD Jennifer Strawley on the history and importance of the CWA.

Josh Darrow visits with 2001 national championship head coach Larry Coker, who reflects on his path to coaching, his arrival in Coral Gables, assuming the reins as head coach, the Canes’ incredible championship run and the controversial finish that denied UM back-to-back titles.

Josh Darrow checks in with 2001 national champion and nine-year NFL veteran Clinton Portis, who talks about moving from Mississippi to Florida, his recruitment to UM, his running back battles with fellow Canes greats, what fueled the national title run and his pro career in Denver and Washington. 

Josh Darrow catches up with All-American offensive tackle and first-round draft pick Leon Searcy, who talks about his late start to high school football, playing for both Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson, being a member of three national championship teams and how The U prepared him for an 11-year career in the NFL.

Josh Darrow visits with two-time national championship coach and College Football Hall of Famer Dennis Erickson, who looks back on his arrival at Miami, his revolutionary offensive schemes, some of the Canes greats he recruited and coached, and his memories of the 1991 national champions as their 30th anniversary approaches this fall.

Josh Darrow checks in with Heisman Trophy winner and national champion Gino Torretta, who reflects on his recruitment to Miami from northern California, taking over the starting quarterback role, the 1991 national title, his memories of Hurricane Andrew and his award-winning senior campaign.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes basketball legend and current Mayor of Dania Beach Tamara James, who discusses her decision to come to UM, her record-setting career as a Cane, how her pro career led her overseas and how her basketball background has helped her navigate her new role as a public servant.

Josh Darrow visits with two-time All-ACC guard Jack McClinton, who talks about growing up the hoops hotbed of Baltimore, his journey to Miami, the Hurricanes’ 2008 NCAA Tournament run and his fashion-focused business career after basketball.

Josh Darrow joins All-America wide receiver and 14-year NFL veteran Santana Moss for a candid, emotional and uplifting conversation about growing up in Miami, his journey to UM, playing two sports for the Hurricanes, the football program’s rise back to national prominence and his remarkable pro career.

Josh Darrow checks in with legendary Canes quarterback Steve Walsh, who talks about getting recruited by Jimmy Johnson, learning the ropes from Heisman winner Vinny Testaverde, helping UM capture the 1987 national championship, the controversial loss to Notre Dame the following year and his current job as a CFL coach.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes baseball alum and nine-year Major League Baseball veteran Danny Valencia, who talks about his time at UM, his experience with seven MLB clubs and his upcoming trip to the Summer Olympics in Tokyo with Team Israel.

Canes basketball alumna Amy Audibert talks with Josh Darrow about playing for two UM head coaches, her decision to pursue a broadcasting career in upstate New York and her native Canada, and her historic Toronto Raptors broadcast last week as part of the NBA’s first all-female television broadcast crew.

New outside linebackers coach Ishmael Aristide talks with Josh Darrow about his decision to pivot from a corporate job to college coaching, his experience with three SEC schools, his recruiting philosophy and his deep family ties to the city he now calls home again.

Josh Darrow catches up with UM Director of Recruiting David Cooney, who discusses his rise through the South Florida high school coaching ranks, his decision to jump to college coaching, his transition to the recruiting department and how the Canes are approaching their recruiting efforts for the upcoming class.

Josh Darrow checks in with UM football’s strength and conditioning director David Feeley, who details his training philosophy, his rise in the college ranks, the challenges his staff faced during the pandemic and how the Canes are gearing up for the start of spring ball.

Jess Simpson talks with Josh Darrow about his return to Coral Gables as assistant head coach/defensive line, how working in the NFL helped him grow as a coach, his legendary high school coaching career in Georgia, and what excites him personally and professionally about coming back to The U. 

Joe Zagacki checks in with Brooklyn Nets guard Bruce Brown, who talks about his two seasons at The U, how Jim Larrañaga and the staff helped hone his game, his NBA development and what it’s like to suit up with the likes of Kevin Durant, James Harden and Kyrie Irving on a Nets squad contending for a title.

Josh Darrow sits down with the inaugural winners of the UM Athletics Trailblazer Award. Hurricanes legends and pioneers Will Allen, Ray Bellamy and Kim Sands discuss their journey to Miami, the challenges they faced, the lasting legacies they have created and their memories of fellow honoree Dr. Henry King Stanford.

As baseball season approaches Josh Darrow checks in with Hurricanes great Yonder Alonso, who discusses his family’s emigration from Cuba, his decision to go to UM, the Canes’ stacked 2008 squad and his 10-year Major League Baseball career.

Episode 9: DeMarcus Van Dyke New cornerbacks coach DeMarcus Van Dyke talks with Josh Darrow about growing up a Canes fans in Miami, his playing days at The U and his new coaching role on Manny Diaz’s staff -- all while securing some surprise guests to crash the episode.

New defensive backs coach Travaris Robinson talks with Josh Darrow about his Miami roots, his climb up the college coaching ladder, his decision to join Manny Diaz’s staff and what excites him about UM’s program going forward.

Former UM quarterback and head coach Mark Richt chats with Josh Darrow about his playing days under Howard Schnellenberger, his rise up the college coaching ranks, his return to The U in 2016 and his new career as an ACC Network college football analyst.

Legendary Canes linebacker and current Bills Director of Player Personnel Dan Morgan catches up with Josh Darrow on his historic career at UM, Buffalo’s current playoff run and getting the call this week for the College Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021.

Josh Darrow talks with Brock Berlin about his record-setting high school career in Louisiana, transferring to The U and earning the starting quarterback job, the historic 2003 comeback against Florida and his undefeated record against the Canes’ Sunshine State rivals.

Josh Darrow talks with ESPN’s Chris Fallica about his days as a UM undergraduate working in the athletic department, his expanding role on College GameDay and how Lee Corso coined his nickname “The Bear.”