On Thursday afternoon, the University of Miami announced that its president, Julio Frenk, will be departing to assume the role of Chancellor at UCLA. Frenk began his presidency at Miami in 2015 and has made a significant impact during his tenure. He will be succeeded by Joe Echevarria, the university’s CEO, who will step in as the Acting President effective immediately.
Frenk’s approach to his presidency included a commitment to engaging with the university’s athletic programs. Early in his tenure, he took the initiative to schedule meetings with multiple head coaches within the Canes’ program. His support for athletics was well-noted by the staff. Miami men’s basketball head coach Jim Larrañaga commented on Frenk’s supportive nature, saying, “As a coach, you hope that your administration is going to be very, very supportive of athletics. And from what I understand, he is.”
One of the significant highlights of Frenk’s presidency was his announcement in 2022 of Mario Cristobal as the new head coach of Miami’s football team. This move was part of Frenk’s broader strategy to ensure that the Canes received robust support. Frenk himself was an athlete, having played both soccer and basketball, which reinforced his belief in the importance of sports within the educational framework.
Frenk has been quoted as saying, “Athletics is an integral part of education [and] higher education.” This philosophy underscored his efforts to integrate sports more deeply into the university’s educational mission. His departure may not be immediately felt by the fans, but the loss of a president who passionately supported the athletic department is significant for the university’s sports teams.
The Canes community, including fans, athletes, and coaches, will now look to the future with the hope that Frenk’s successor will share his enthusiasm for sports. The challenge for the University of Miami will be to find a new leader who appreciates and continues to champion the role of athletics in higher education as fervently as Frenk did.
