Former Miami great and NFL executive Alonzo Highsmith is a ‘no-go’ for UM football job
Former University of Miami All-American and current NFL executive Alonzo Highsmith will not be coming to work with the Hurricanes football program.
Highsmith, an extremely popular Hurricanes supporter among Miami fans, told the Miami Herald on Thursday, “door closed,’’ regarding the possibility of his working at UM.
Highsmith, 54, the Cleveland Browns’ vice president of player personnel whose future with Cleveland is uncertain after the recent firing of general manager John Dorsey, ultimately was not wanted as a high-level UM football administrator/general manager.
Highsmith had spoken with Miami athletic director Blake James and football coach Manny Diaz about a more modest chief of staff role. But the responsibilities and salary were not commensurate with Highsmith’s experience. He began working in the NFL in 1999 as a scout for the Green Bay Packers before rising in the ranks, and has always kept his finger on the pulse of Miami Hurricanes football.
In the end, Highsmith indicated, it was the Miami Board of Trustees members who wanted him more than the current staff, as Diaz likely didn’t want someone looking over his shoulder on day-to-day issues.
“There never was really a lot of talk other than trustees wanted me,’’ Highsmith told the Herald.
Highsmith was an All-American defensive end at Miami Columbus High and was converted to a fullback for the Canes. His son, A.J., played at UM from 2009 through 2013.
The Hurricanes finished the 2019 season 6-7 and 4-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and are in dire need of improvement.
This story was originally published January 9, 2020 at 11:49 AM.
