The Univ. of Miami “likely will wait until it learns more specifically what it faces in its pending NCAA case” before naming a permanent replacement for former AD Shawn Eichorst, according to Susan Miller Degnan of the MIAMI HERALD. UM trustee Art Hertz yesterday said, “We have to find out what the end result will be with that before we know what the ongoing situation is going to be with an athletic director. What guy is going to cast his future without knowing exactly what the situation is and how deep the hole is?” UM President Donna Shalala on Saturday said, “I’m not in a huge hurry. It’s not like it’s not an attractive job. But I want to step back a little and listen to our supporters and fans and see what they have to say about the kind of person we should be searching for.” Shalala added she wants “to involve all the head coaches.” Degnan notes acting AD Blake James “will run the department” until the search “actively begins.” In his previous role as Senior Associate AD/Development & Ticket Operations, James was the “main fundraiser for UM athletics, and was in charge of ticket sales and ticket operations.” James’ Twitter handle is “@CanesAllAccess -- an obvious change in leadership style from his predecessor, Eichorst, who kept his distance from the South Florida Community and rarely spoke publicly.” James also has “launched a weekly ‘Ask The AD’ question-and-answer session via Twitter” (MIAMI HERALD, 10/11).
