Episode 200 - Tom Llamas

Josh Darrow welcomes back 247 Sports’ Josh Pate, who talks about Miami’s impressive start to the season, the Canes' big win in Tallahassee, Carson Beck and Rueben Bain’s chances for postseason hardware, and how the national college football landscape is shaping up through mid-October.

Josh Darrow digs deep into college football numbers with Max Chadwick and Dalton Wasserman of Pro Football Focus, who talk about PFF College’s grading process, Miami’s strong start to the season in the trenches, why Rueben Bain has been so dominant, how the Canes have graded out thus far and how they think Miami will fare the rest of the season.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes special teams coordinator Danny Kalter, who talks about growing up a Miami fan, how he got into football as a UM student, how he gravitated towards special teams units, what goes into coaching each of the kick and coverage units, which metrics matter most on special teams, and what excites him about this season’s Canes. 

For Behind the U’s 200th episode, Josh Darrow visits with NBC Nightly News anchor Tom Llamas, who talks about growing up a Canes fan in Miami, how he broke into the television business, his path to the network anchor chair, his favorite Canes football and baseball memories, and what he’s most looking forward to this season.

As Miami prepares to open the 2025 season against Notre Dame, Josh Darrow catches up with two players who remember the last time the Canes hosted the Irish at Hard Rock Stadium. Linebacker Michael Pinckney and safety Sheldrick Redwine share their memories of that 41-8 win in 2017, including practice week, the pregame hype, the defensive performance, and the electric stadium atmosphere.

Josh Darrow checks in with Canes defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman, who talks about growing up in Massachusetts, playing football overseas, transitioning to coaching, why he switched to the defensive side of the ball, his defensive philosophy, why he chose to come to Miami, and what he’s looking for from the Canes’ defense this season.

Josh Darrow catches up with new Canes men’s basketball associate coach Erik Pastrana, who talks about his South Florida roots, why basketball became his first love, how he got into college coaching, how he bet on himself along the way, how the high school talent level keeps growing in the Sunshine State, and why he decided to come home and work for Jai Lucas.

Josh Darrow chats with new Canes men’s basketball assistant coach and player development director Andrew Moran, who talks about his coaching path, the success his teams had in the high school ranks, the growth of basketball in South Florida, the opportunity to join Jai Lucas’ staff, and his excitement for the future of Miami basketball.

Josh Darrow checks in with Canes running backs coach Matt Merritt, who talks about growing up in Germany and Belgium, how his father introduced him to football, how he rose through the coaching ranks, why he decided to come to Miami, the running back tradition at the U, and his coveted collection of German national soccer team jerseys.

Josh Darrow catches up with Canes tight ends coach Cody Woodiel, who talks about growing up in Mississippi, his playing days as both a tight end and offensive lineman, the phone call on the golf course that changed his coaching path, what he’s learned from Mario Cristobal as a coach and recruiter, and his thoughts on Miami’s current tight ends group.