Eye on the U

Hot time in MIami: Gators at Canes in football: noon on Sept. 7 on ESPN.

University of Miami tailgaters might want to get to sleep early on Friday, Sept. 6th. That's because the highly anticipated Florida Gators at Miami Hurricanes football game was announced for a noon kickoff at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 7 on ESPN -- upsetting fans who would rather have a night game.

A night game would certainly be a great draw and the event to party around at Sun Life. UM would get heavy-duty exposure. And let's face it, night games are always more fun (unless you're on deadline or savor getting broiled outside).

Turns out that ABC has NASCAR from Richmond, Va., that night and ESPN is broadcasting the Notre Dame-Michigan football game in prime time. A game has not yet been announced for the prime-time ESPN2 slot.

"We requested and lobbied ESPN for an evening slot for the game vs #BeatUF.'' tweeted UM athletic director Blake James. "Unfortunately, they were unable to accomodate.'' 

 I just got off the phone with ESPN spokesman Mike Humes, whom I asked about the noon start.

"Essentially, we looked at all the options and this was the best available window for the game,'' Humes said. "We average probably around three million viewers for that time slot. So it wasn’t like, 'Let’s put the worst game on at noon.' The noon window does really well with fans.

"We view this as a great matchup. Scheduling games is like putting together differrent puzzles with different time zones and commitments, and this was the best window.''

 UM AD James also tweeted this: "espn/abc wanted to take game national 3:30 slot is regional coverage."

Humes said the 3:30 p.m. ABC game is Oregon at Virginia.

In other Canes football news, the Aug. 30 season opener at Sun Life Stadium against FAU will kick off at 8 p.m. Aug. 30 -- a Friday -- and will be aired by ESPNU.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN 

Kevin Olsen's father says the four-star quarterback is "absolutely'' not wavering on his commitment to Miami Hurricanes

I just spoke to the father of Miami Hurricanes four-star quarterback recruit Kevin Olsen, who is in Coral Gables this weekend with his parents for his official recruiting trip.

Chris Olsen, who just retired as the Wayne Hills (N.J.) High School football coach after a storied 26-season career, said Kevin will "absolutely" still attend the University of Miami, despite today's announcement that offensive coordinator Jedd Fish has left to become the Jacksonville Jaguars' offensive coordinator.

"Al Golden is the main guy,'' Chris said of UM's head coach. "We certainly had a good relationship with Jedd and really liked him. And we certainly anticipate the next guy being very similar -- whoever it may be.

  "We weren't expecting this, but it's a great opportunity for Jedd and everybody has to do what's best for them. Jedd had a great opportunity and he was the perfect person for the job. To be a coordinator in the NFL, those opportunities don't come around very often. There's never a good time, but if that's something to which you aspire, if it comes around you've got to take it.''

  Chris Olsen, who is in South Florida with his wife, Sue, said Kevin had "a great day today and a great day Friday'' during his visit, and that he was taking a nap.

  Concluded Olsen: "I think things will fall in place. I'm sure Al Golden has a plan.''

  SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN

Al Golden and Jedd Fisch statements regarding Jedd leaving the Miami Hurricanes

Jedd Fisch statement:

“I want to thank President [Donna] Shalala, Athletic Director Blake James, Coach [Al] Golden, the coaching staff and all of the incredible student-athletes that I have come in contact with since joining the program [in] January 2011.  There are 32 NFL Offensive Coordinator jobs and the opportunity to become the Jacksonville Jaguars Offensive Coordinator this year was based on all of the successes our program has had in the past two years.  I am so excited to watch the Miami Hurricane and Jacksonville Jaguar football teams compete for and win championships this year and the years to come.  There is no doubt that this program is one of the premiere in the country and I am grateful that I can always say I am part of the Hurricane Family.”

 

Al Golden statement:

"It's been a great week for the University of Miami and the NFL as evidenced by the hires of Marc Trestman (Chicago Bears) and Rob Chudzinski (Cleveland Browns) as head coaches, having the most former players participating in the conference championship games Sunday and now the hiring of Jedd Fisch as the offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars.  We are happy for Jedd and his family.  Jedd has done a great job for us here at the University of Miami and we are proud of the contributions he made to our program over the past two seasons.  We wish him and amber and the Jacksonville Jaguars the best of luck for years to come."

 

Unfortunate news for the Miami Hurricanes: OC Jedd Fisch leaves UM for same position at Jacksonville Jaguars

We all knew this would happen eventually.

I, for one, was hoping it wouldn't happen this season, but, naturally, not convinced that it wouldn't.

Hurricanes offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch, all-around good person, smart person, great communicator and teacher -- not to mention well-loved by his present and former players -- has left the University of Miami to become an offensive coordinator with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Great hire by the Jaguars. Big loss for the Hurricanes.

The breaking news, first reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter, came on the same day Miami quarterback of the future Kevin Olsen is visiting the Coral Gables campus with his parents. Kevin really likes Jedd Fisch, as well as Coach Al Golden, and repeatedly has said the coaches are a big reason he's strongly committed to the Canes.

Fisch did wonders with Stephen Morris, and former quarterback Jacory Harris for that matter. But we all had a strong feeling he wanted to return one day to the NFL. 

So now, in between hosting recruits today and dealing with the NCAA issues, Golden has to find an offensive coordinator that will make everyone feel willing to keep their commitment.

Hurricanes fans must feel like punching bags by now.

SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN