Luke's Top 5 for next Canes coach

By: @unclelukereal1

I unveiled my Top 5 candidates for the University of Miami coaching job today, live on The Andy Slater Show on 940 AM WINZ and iHeartRadio.

If you didn't get to hear it, I have the list for you below.

My Top 5 candidates:

#5 Charlie Strong (Texas HC) - Charlie's career was made off of South Florida kids as a defensive coordinator at Florida and head coach at Louisville. He had more than 35 kids from South Florida on his roster and would be a perfect fit.

#4 Mark Stoops (Kentucky HC) - Mark is a former UM coach with a great defensive mind. He loves South Florida and will definitely bring the swagger back.

 

#3 Dana Holgorsen (West Virginia HC) - Dana currently has two coaches on his staff from South Florida. When it comes to talent, he covers South Florida like no other. 

 

#2 Mario Cristobal (Alabama OL coach) - Mario would bring the same passion and energy that Dan Campbell brought to the Miami Dolphins this season. He would have the same exact coaching style.

 

#1 Tim Brewster (FSU TE coach, recruiting coordinator) - Tim has experience as a head coach in Minnesota. He is the #1 recruiter in South Florida and the country for two straight years. Tim also has the best QB committed to him right now -- Malik Henry.

Miss Florida Ice set to be crowned

By: @AndySlater

The Florida Panthers will hold the NHL's first known beauty pageant. On Saturday, one lucky girl will be crowned as the first "Miss Florida Ice."

The winner of the pageant will be recognized at Panthers home games and attend team community events. 

According to the team's website, contestants had to pay a $200 fee (typical in pageantry) and then select which city they would like to represent. 

If you're not able to make it to Saturday's game at BB&T Center for the pageant, you can at least see some of the contestants below.

(Photo Credit: FloridaPanthers.com) 

"Keep Al Golden" banner will not fly in Tallahassee

By: @AndySlater

Florida State fans think Al Golden is great for the University of Miami football team. One fan thought he was so great, he planned on having a banner flown over Doak Campbell Stadium on Saturday night in support of the Hurricanes coach. That won't happen.

Due to a "scheduling conflict with the aerial sign company," the banner has been grounded --- so says an update to Joseph Johnson's GoFundMe page. 

Laurence Leavy, aka Marlins Man, said the "scheduling conflict" is not the reason why the banner will not fly. 

"I was informed by Johnson that he was being pressured by alumni and administration from both schools not to have it fly," Leavy said when reached by phone Saturday morning.

Johnson, a Seminoles fan, started the GoFundMe page in September to mockingly show support for the Golden. 

According to Johnson's post, all money donated to help fly the banner will now be donated to kidz1stfund.com in support of raising awareness to a rare blood disease, one that Seminoles coach Jimbo Fisher's son was diagnosed with in 2011.

Leavy, who donated $500 initially for the banner, says he still plans to fund his own message for Golden to fly over an upcoming Hurricanes home game. "Whether he wins or loses against Florida State, my banner will fly supporting him," Leavy said. 

 

(Photo Credit: Nooga.com)

NFL says Campbell can't be handed Dolphins job in 2016

By: @AndySlater

On Monday, the Miami Dolphins introduced Dan Campbell as their interim head coach. Regardless of the team's performance in their remaining 12 games, they'll be forced to interview other candidates for the job.

An NFL spokesperson told me today, citing the league's Rooney Rule policy, "once the season is concluded, the head coaching position must be considered open and the club must fill the position in accordance with the interviewing guidelines." 

If the Dolphins turned their season around and made the playoffs, most people would figure that team owner Stephen Ross would automatically shed Campbell's interim title. However, the league will not allow that.

"No club may make a commitment to a coach retained during the season that extends beyond the end of the club's playing season," the Rooney Rule policy states.

Since Campbell was already part of the Dolphins staff before being named head coach,  no other interviews were necessary. If the team opted to hire an interim head coach from outside the organization, the Rooney Rule would have applied. 

Campbell's first game with his new title will be Sunday, Oct. 18 at Tennessee. 

(Photo Credit: South Florida Sun-Sentinel)

Miko Grimes arrested at Miami Dolphins game

Miko.jpg

By: @AndySlater

Miko Grimes, the wife of Miami Dolphins' cornerback Brent Grimes, was arrested at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday. 

Details:

  • Miko Grimes allegedly tried to cross an area in which police had restricted people from walking in.
  • Miami-Dade police officer grabbed her arm to stop her, but Grimes was able to get away.
  • Another officer told Grimes to stop and also to relax, that's when Grimes allegedly started shouting curse words at officers.
  • Grimes, when standing after being placed in handcuffs, then allegedly head butted an officer. 
  • An officer took his taser out, pointed it at Grimes, and advised her should would be tased if she didn't relax.
  • While being initially transported on a Miami-Dade Police golf cart, Grimes allegedly was continually kicking the officer whom had to hold her down.
  • Grimes was treated for minor injuries and then arrested.

Miami-Dade Police spokesperson Det. Alvaro Zabaleta said Grimes was charged with:

  • Battery on a law-enforcement officer
  • Resisting with violence
  • Disorderly conduct

First report of the arrest came via Twitter user Francisco Rosario who was outside the stadium and posted a video. 

This isn't the first time Grimes found herself in the spotlight. She went on a Twitter rant on her way home from the NFL Pro Bowl in January. I was able to exclusively speak to her after she landed at Miami International Airport. 

(Update: 9/28 5:30pm)

Miami-Dade Police Department Detective Zabaleta said usually in a case like Grimes', the person would be given a trespass warning and not be allowed back. Banning Grimes "is something that (special events police officers) are going to have to discuss," Zabaleta said. 

(Photo Source: Miami-Dade Corrections)