Alonzo Highsmith joining Miami football program was about name recognition

The flirtation with Alonzo Highsmith joining the Miami football program and the interest it generated among the Hurricanes fan base and media was primarily about name recognition and being an alum.

The interest in Alonzo Highsmith being hired by athletic director Blake James and head coach Manny Diaz to join the Miami football program was initiated by the University of Miami Board of Directors. The open position is the chief of staff. What that entails or what most wanted Highsmith to be hired for wasn’t going to happen.

The perception that Highsmith was going to come in and completely oversee the football program or become the “athletic director” of football was one floated primarily by a…