The University of Miami has hired Clemson’s Dan Radakovich to head its athletics department.
Radakovich replaces Blake James, who Miami let go last month two days after the Hurricanes’ football team lost to Florida State, according to Tampa Bay Times.
“I am so grateful to (Miami) President (Julio) Frenk and the University’s Board of Trustees for this incredible opportunity,” said Radakovich, who spent nine years at the Clemson athletics helm. “Their commitment to Miami Athletics’ comprehensive pursuit of excellence and championships is what brought me back to Miami. As a unified Hurricane family — students, alumni, donors, and fans — there is nothing that we cannot accomplish. We are going to set the bar high and jump over it.”
Clemson University President James P. Clements thanked Radakovich for his service and expressed wishes for his future success.
“I thank Dan Radakovich for his tremendous contributions to Clemson over nine years as Director of Athletics, for his leadership and friendship. I wish him the very best in his next chapter, Clements said in a university release. “Under Dan’s leadership as Director of Athletics, Clemson teams won 15 ACC championships, the football program won two College Football Playoff national championships, and student-athletes have graduated at consistently high rates and posted record GPAs.
“He also led a transformation of our athletics facilities, including continued improvements to Memorial Stadium, a complete overhaul of Littlejohn Coliseum, practice and operational facilities for football, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, tennis, and the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center.”
While at Clemson, Radakovich oversaw the Tigers’ rise to a NCAA football superpower under coach Dabo Swinney.
The announcement of Radakovich to lead the athletics department comes two days after Miami introduced Mario Cristobal as its new football coach.
Cristobal, a former Hurricanes offensive lineman, was lured away from Oregon, where he had been head coach the last four seasons.
