It started with this tweet I got from McMichael when I mentioned Manny is going nowhere anytime soon, and the fact that he's not, so let's get that out of the way now.
Here's the tweet that started this:
After analyzing the original tweet, a couple of things come to my mind here:Wanna bet? Several major donors are incredibly unhappy about the state of the UM athletics program. Fans aren’t filling seats either. you aren’t reading the tea leaves.— Gianna McMichael (@GMcMik) September 30, 2019
- The big donors (i.e., Category 4-5 Hurricane Club donors) are not happy at all.
- The business community, (i.e., the Major power players in South Florida) aren't happy with the state of the UM Athletics program.
- This tells me, that if this from McMichael is true, Blake is, at least right now behind the scenes, in big trouble.
- There's no denying the fact that the empty seats have long been an issue in South Florida, even when the Canes were winning their titles, the only time the seats have been filled were for big games (i.e., ND, FSU, UF, OU, Ohio State).
- The headscratching hires in recent years (exceptions being Richt, L, Manny). Some of the big hitters, from McMichael's tweet, are starting to grumble about Blake behind the scenes.
On the follow-up tweet when I asked if there some names out there, this is the response I got:
The people upset, per McMichael's tweet, are the big donors (i.e., the Category 4-5 donors), and that's not a good thing if Blake wanted to keep his job. Behind the scenes, again from McMichael's tweet, there's some smoke. Also, McMichael did say that not to expect anything until May at the earliest on Blake's future.Pay attention Danny, they are angry. Names haven’t been presented, don’t think its to that stage. Never said it was. I told you they don’t like what he’s done. He’s incompetent as an AD. I am sure a few have ideas who, but I don’t know what they think. Minds I don’t read.— Gianna McMichael (@GMcMik) September 30, 2019
To be fair to McMichael, she did point out in that tweet that no names at this point, but you have to believe if this tweet from her is accurate, that the BOT would have to have already contacted through back channels some names for that job, if nothing else to starting gauging interest in the job. For me, the first name that would be on my list if I were doing a search would be former Florida AD Jeremy Foley.
If there's anyone that could instantly command respect and know who's in charge inside the Hecht Center, Foley would be that guy, if he wants the job.
After Foley, who else is there, that's available that would be interested and command respect in that building?
The next few months, if McMichael's tweets verify, will be very interesting to watch here.
