Report: Miami athletic director search ‘a mess,’ Manny Diaz in limbo

Miami’s search for a new athletic director isn’t going well, according to a report from The Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.

McMurphy, citing multiple candidates for the open job, said the search is a “mess.” He added that more than 50 donors and board of trustees members are involved, and it’s making things complicated to fill the position.

Multiple Miami AD candidates told @ActionNetworkHQ UM’s search is a “mess.” With more than 50 board of trustees & several donors involved “everyone is in charge, no one is in charge. They don’t know what they want to do w/Manny (Diaz). Half want him gone, half want him to stay"

— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 2, 2021

“Everyone is in charge, no one is in charge,” McMurphy tweeted, citing a source. “They don’t know what they want to do [with football coach] Manny [Diaz]. Half want him gone, half want him to stay.”

Miami has been looking for a new AD since it fired Blake James last month. Rumors have swirled about Diaz’s job security, as well, and potential candidates are already being discussed. Now, with the AD search getting lampooned, it could make things even more complicated with a potential football coaching search.

The Hurricanes went 7-5 this year, therefore becoming bowl eligible. They ended the year with a resounding 47-10 win over Duke last week.

Bruce Feldman gives an update on Lane Kiffin, Miami situation

One name to pop up as a potential replacement for Diaz is Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin. FOX Sports reporter Bruce Feldman gave an update on that possibility on Wednesday.

Speaking with Colin Cowherd on The Herd, Feldman talked about how Miami would replace Diaz. One name he threw out was Oregon coach Mario Cristobal, a Miami native who played for the Hurricanes. But Cowherd asked about the price tag, which led to the discussion about Kiffin.

“If there’s no Mario, I think there are some old Miami people, former Miami players, who do have some influence,” Feldman said. “They have more voice than at any other program in the country. A lot of those guys who are interested in Lane, and Lane, I think, would have a hard time saying no if Miami came after him.”

Cowherd responded with insight on his relationship with Kiffin and agreed with Feldman’s point.

“Miami feels like Lane Kiffin,” Cowherd said. “I think Brian Kelly looked like a Notre Dame football coach. Brian Kelly, once he [got] out of the anger tunnel he was in, it kind of worked. Boston guy, Notre Dame. There are coaches that feel like schools.”

Before Miami fills a head coach spot — if it decides to part ways with Diaz — it’ll have to find a new AD. So far, the search doesn’t sound like it’s going great.