It's amazing how ignorant a lot of our fans are in regards to WHAT the University President and those people actually DO in regards to athletics. Frenk isn't doing anything, just like Shalala. No competent University President is doing anything significant with the athletic department on a day to day basis.
The only difference between 2008 and now is that Blake James, after prodding by Al Golden finally brought the Miami fundraising machine into the 21st century. The school, will not, and should not subsidize the athletic department, what they earn is what they should spend. When you earn more via sponsorships and fundraising, you tend to be able to spend a whole lot more. The Adidas deal was HUGE, merely because it ensured that the department would have a lot more cash coming in. When you combine that the school getting a proven winner as HC, it's not shocking that the department would be more profitable, leading to more money being available for assistants. Even with the improved salaries, Miami still works within a budget, due to the fact that it's not a bottomless pit of money. That's why guys like Jon Richt are on staff, it's tough to have a whole staff of killers, when you have to skimp in some areas.
Jim Larranaga has had a similar effect. Miami basketball sells out on a regular basis, that means more money for facility upgrades, that means more money to pay assistants and support staff. Miami basketball improving helps the football program, because that means the basketball program is a self-sufficient unit, opening up funds for football.