J
James DePelisi
1 year ago
It is very refreshing to hear Alonzo Highsmith's vision. Since 2005, I have said that UM should develop an official Advisory Board of former players who excelled in both college and the NFL, and bring back some of the fomer players that were successful coaches and administrators, within different successful college and NFL programs. The Yankees, Raiders, Lakers, and UNC Basketball always had success with this brotherhood methodology, why not UM? I even sent emails to the media and the UM administration 17 years ago. It is a no brainer. And... it started with Ed Reed, and now Alonzo Highsmith. The wisdom from winning at both the college level and professional level is unparalleled. Hopefully, UM will now get back to "reloading", vs. "rebuilding". The experience Highsmith has is unchallenged. Winning with Greenbay in his player personnel/scouting role, and traveling around the country visiting colleges, he knows what the competition is doing. He also knows, first hand, what drives the winning coaches, such as Saban, and Bellichick. Imagine if JJ, Schnelly, and Butch had a resource as Alonzo Highsmith during their tenures? The amount of additional championships would have been unfathomable. I do not think people yet fully realize how important/serious of a hiring this is for UM. This is a Gamechanger. This is the opposite Book End of Mario being hired. I do not know what the time table will be, but UM has now put all the pieces in place to have an Alabama run over the next 10 years, and the great thing about it, there are more people in the trough from UM that are willing and able to step in, when and if, "their number is called". UM has once again transcended college football, because this is something that no other college program has. They may have the similar titled postions like Alonzo, but not the credentials of Alonzo! Kudos to both Mario and Alonzo learning well from JJ, about having and humility, and that it is all about the team, because the U Family will work tirelessly, and unselfishly to win championships. And when that happens, everyone benefits. They get it. Many thanks to the UM adminstation for finally undestanding the diamonds they have with their former players who have the credentials. Finally, when UM is winning, it definitely brings the community closer together, and reduces crime. Thus, this hiring will eventually have positive, trickle down effects in the community, and I am personally thankful for that!. Thank you. James DePelisi, Director/Chief, Broward County Crime Commission