Behind The U

Josh Darrow catches up with new Canes men’s basketball associate coach Erik Pastrana, who talks about his South Florida roots, why basketball became his first love, how he got into college coaching, how he bet on himself along the way, how the high school talent level keeps growing in the Sunshine State, and why he decided to come home and work for Jai Lucas.

Josh Darrow chats with new Canes men’s basketball assistant coach and player development director Andrew Moran, who talks about his coaching path, the success his teams had in the high school ranks, the growth of basketball in South Florida, the opportunity to join Jai Lucas’ staff, and his excitement for the future of Miami basketball.

Josh Darrow checks in with Canes running backs coach Matt Merritt, who talks about growing up in Germany and Belgium, how his father introduced him to football, how he rose through the coaching ranks, why he decided to come to Miami, the running back tradition at the U, and his coveted collection of German national soccer team jerseys.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes tight ends coach Cody Woodiel, who talks about growing up in Mississippi, his playing days as both a tight end and offensive lineman, the phone call on the golf course that changed his coaching path, what he’s learned from Mario Cristobal as a coach and recruiter, and his thoughts on Miami’s current tight ends group.

Josh Darrow checks in with NCAA champion diver Chiara Pellacani, who talks about growing up in Italy, how she matriculated to Miami, working with UM coaches Randy Ableman and Dario di Fazio, her experience at the Tokyo and Paris Olympics, her goals on the collegiate and international stage, and what she likes on her pizza.

Josh Darrow catches up with former Canes and NFL offensive lineman Mark Cooper, who talks about transitioning from Lou Saban to Howard Schnellenberger, his switch from tight end to left tackle, protecting Jim Kelly, how the Canes started to build a powerhouse program, finding an NFL home in Denver, finding time to sneak back down to the Keys to fish, and getting inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame.

Josh Darrow sits down with new Canes men’s basketball head coach Jai Lucas, who talks about his basketball upbringing, what he learned from his NBA father, his interactions with Kobe Bryant and LeBron James as a youngster, how he got into coaching, what has shaped his philosophy along the way, and why he’s excited to take the reins in Coral Gables.

Josh Darrow checks in with Miami’s Director of Applied Metabolic Sciences Kyle Bellamy, who talks about the growth of the Canes’ sports science department, how his group assists the football team’s development and performance, how he transitioned from a baseball player to his current role and what he would include in his favorite smoothie.

Josh Darrow catches up with new Canes defensive tackles coach Damione Lewis, who talks about his coaching path, his coaching philosophy, what motivated him to return to him alma mater, his initial thoughts on defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, his favorite moments playing at Miami, his pivot to radio after his NFL playing days and the time he and Ray Lewis wrestled in the locker room.

Josh Darrow checks in with former Canes golfer Cindy Kessler Miller, who talks about walking on at Miami in 1975, helping the Canes win back-to-back national titles, embarking on her pro career, how she found teaching as her calling, her turn on a reality TV show, her upcoming book, and getting inducted into both the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame and the UM Sports Hall of Fame.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes basketball great Darius Rice, who talks about why he chose Miami, some of his favorite moments as a Cane, his professional basketball journey that took him around the globe, his uncle Jerry Rice’s legendary workouts, and how he reacted when he found out he was selected to the UM Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.

Josh Darrow checks in with Justin Fitzpatrick and Bailey Marasch from the Canes football creative staff, who talk about what brought them to Miami, how they create content day to day, and how they tackled the Heisman Trophy campaign for quarterback Cam Ward from ideation to design to production to distribution and all assets and points in between.

Josh Darrow checks in with former Canes linebacker and current Cleveland Browns assistant general manger Glenn Cook, who talks about why he chose to play at Miami, how he pivoted to baseball after college, how he broke into football scouting, the intricacies of player evaluation, what makes a great NFL front office, and how he would write up reports on some of UM’s great players.

Josh Darrow catches up with former Canes and NFL running back James Jackson, who talks about what initially drew him to football, why he came to Miami, the incredible group of running backs he played with at UM, how the 2000 team set the table for the 2001 national title run, which of his teammates he still keeps in touch with and what he thinks of this year’s team. 

Josh Darrow checks in with former Cane and current Seattle Seahawks safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who talks about growing up in a big family in St. Petersburg, why he decided to come to Miami, switching to the defensive side of the ball in college, navigating his NFL career, his future coaching aspirations, and his newly developed passion for real estate.

Josh Darrow catches up with ACC Network analyst Eric Mac Lain, who talks about how the Canes have looked so far this season, what excites him about quarterback Cam Ward, his take on the rest of Miami’s schedule and what he recalls about Clemson's program build during his playing days. 

Josh Darrow checks in with former Canes and NFL wide receiver Lamar Thomas, who talks about why he chose to come to Miami, how desire and depth helped fuel those national championship runs, the brotherhood that the Canes culture has created through the years, what FSU Week means to him, and his excitement for how the current group of Canes are playing.

Josh Darrow catches up with former Canes and NFL running back Lamar Miller, who talks about growing up in Miami, the numbers he put up in high school, why he chose to come to UM, playing football and running track for the Canes, getting drafted by his hometown Dolphins, how he would run behind UM’s current offensive line, and the group of Canes he still works out with.