Ferman- are there any standards- like minimum wins.
Blake- dont want to get into that number wise. I want to win every game, whether against a national champ or a chump (my words). how are we progressing- thats what I look at. Would rather be 7-0. lost 3 tough road games, who knows where they wind up at end of year, they are 17-2 now. Would like to end 9-3, but first need to focus on VT. look back at year at end of year, see what they need to get better next year.
Ferman- people tired of hearing about NCAA at this point, but in fairness that had some impact. Some saying that predecessors gave Randy 4 years. some say that was too much or too little. Whats a fair amount of time
Blake- its gonna take time- need to recruit the kids you need. At a minimum its four years. Kirby make the decision he felt he needed to on Randy. You can't look at a set number. Look year by year, see where you are, why you are or aren't.
Ferman- when shapiro crap hit, they extended contracts out 9 years. Why are contracts becoming longer term. What is your ideal contract length.
Blake- its the nature of the business. Some of it goes to recruiting- the kids start the process at a younger and younger age. See extensions all the time, but still coach or school still make changes. Security situation in both directions that are really not that valued on either end... (hmmm) its a false security blanket in a way. Contract doesn't preclude changes.
Ferman- so do they mean anything? buyouts built in etc.
Blake- contracts do mean something, but in the industry seems to not as much. Wants them to be in place through the contract, sometimes have to make a change though. Never enters into contract negotiation thinking it wont be fulfilled. Nationally, when a coach has a great year, they look to increase it, but if have a bad year, they dont try to decrease it
Ferman- Miami has former players criticizing publicly. they have a lot of cred, long NFL careers. What is your reaction to it?
Blake- understand the passion. fortunate that our former student athletes promote our brand and school more than anyone. No one likes losing. they arent enjoying it. understand the frustration. Disappointing when as public as it is. They dont help us get back to top, but respect them. Rather they not do it, that's their right though.
Ferman- dont see this at other schools
Blake- its one of the great things though about the program, the passion. other schools not even in the same ball park. both positive and negative. respect their choices, part of the U family.
Ferman- you allow coaches to run their programs, pick their staff. At end of year you evaluate the head coaches. biq question- do you have the authority on whether an assistant coach gets retained.
Blake- at the end of the day, yes. Al runs the program, i give him the support. I believe you cant tell them what needs or people compliment them. Im not part of day in day out. I hire head coach to run it, give them the support they need, then see where we are holistically.
ferman- could you see yourself crossing that line to intervene
Blake- morality issues, Ncaa yes,. On scheme or pure football related, not something where I am getting in on specifics of the competition.
I might talk about how our D is going to get better (or O or special teams), but hes the one that has to have the power to make the decisions on that.
Ferman- who has final say on HC decisions, him or president
blake- fortunately I have been able to retain all our big program decisions, if donna ever wanted to or next president has the right. they have agreed with his decisions to extend current coaches. At end of day its my job.
Ferman- paying coaches better than ever, but market has skyrocketed. but best are getting paid double than Miami does. Fans saying shows not as committed. If al says i need more money in my coaching budget, can you help him?
Blake- we have been supportive, wont share numbers, knows what public schools are paying. Not many doubling what we pay our coordinators.
Ferman- louisville paying DC one million.
Blake- not going to say what we are paying, we are very competitive at coordinator level- we dont pay more than anyone else will be honest, but we are competitive. and if al said he needed more money, he would want to understand why and what, ive always done what I can, if it was a real legit issue,would do what we need to.
Ferman- so miami has a bad rap on pay?
Blake - yes
Ferman-BOT and athletic department. do trustees influence athletic decisions
blake- no- very supportive board, very generous. dont have a personal relationship with everyone
Ferman- what about boosters
Blake- no they dont influence daily decisions. comments he has gotten from people over last month or so have been very supportive .
Ferman- future schedules- big football games- 2017 LSU
Blake- not opening against LSU. working on some big games- talking to two schools that were New years day teams last year. Notre Dame, 4 more games coming total. some will surprise people. cant comment yet.
Ferman- attendance. Sat was a disaster. thoughts
Blake- continue to push for a facility thats a better fit, at same time, sun life is home now, excited about changes. more manageable stadium size. VT- 57k size, much bigger school enrollment wise. smaller stadium would be better fit. ever something in the 40-50 range, they would be very interested.
Ferman- you ever see UM having own stadium, trop park or something
blake- optimist, would like to say yes. every year, look at possibility, if we can make reality would try to , and til then try to help with sunlife improvements.
Ferman- why arent students going
Blake- last sat, about 2700 of 10k went to game despite noon 92. says we have good student support. one of areas that we have had great support. avg about 4k of students of 10k. students not part of the attendance issue that we admittedly have.
Blake- we all want program at top again, will improve facilities, invest more in coaches as needed, confident new president will support. Timeline will never be as quick as some want but pushing every day.
Thats all.....
