When Dan Radakovich stepped up to the podium at his introductory press conference on Dec. 14, 2021 one of his first statements was, “athletics is a part of the greater university community and we need to be a shining example of integrity, innovation and commitment.”
Nearly five years since his induction, Radakovich has demonstrated each, elevating athletics to the point where several of Miami’s programs have reached new heights.
The result of those efforts, the announcement on March 16 that he will be awarded the Athletic Director of the Year award.
Among 27 other nominees, Radakovich is being honored for his service regarding football along with three others.
When Radakovich arrived in Coral Gables, Hurricanes football was at a low point in its history.
Since 2006, the Hurricanes held just a single bowl win, a single 10-win season, and no significant ACC or post season success.
As South Florida players flocked to rivals and out of the state, The U was being left behind as the glory days were left in the past with the program criticized for a lack of investment. Radakovich came in with head coach Mario Cristobal, both alumni of the University, hungry to bring the UM back to national prominence.
In the years since the two have worked hand-in-hand to get Miami football back to the top of the country.
Navigating the new world of NIL and paying student-athletes, Radakovich has worked with donors and sponsors to improve facilities and give Hurricanes athletes the best chance to succeed.
In the 2024-2025 academic year alone, Miami athletics received $36.4 million in gifts and contributions from more than 7,000 donors, the second most in school history.
In December 2023, the Hurricanes announced a multimedia rights partnership with Legends, a premium experiences company. That deal has resulted in a record single-year revenue growth and improved ticket sales.
Each year, football has improved in record, in recognition and in ability to recruit between keeping guys home or from the transfer portal.
From five wins in 2022 to national champion runner-ups in 2025, Radakovich has helped reinvigorate sports culture on campus, starting on the gridiron.
While football is what’s earned him this honor, that’s not to say that Miami hasn’t had other stars shine throughout his tenure.
In the 2022-2023 season, Hurricanes hoops reached historic new milestones as the men’s program made their first ever Final Four and the women their first Elite Eight berth in school history.
Swim and Dive has back-to-back National champion diver Chiara Pellicani, Track and Field has earned a long list of ACC and National honors and Hurricanes baseball was one run away from a trip to Omaha last season.
Off the field, Hurricanes athletics reached a school record 94% graduation success rate and have been at the top of community service winning the annual Community Service competition twice in 2022 and 2024 with levels of 99% student-athlete involvement.
Radakovich has consistently invested in Hurricanes athletics since his arrival in 2021 with the expansion and improvement of facilities for all its sports. Most recently, Miami has upgraded women’s basketball and baseball locker rooms as well as the renovation of football’s indoor practice facility.
As a result, he’ll be honored for the works he’s put in five years in Coral Gables. The ceremony will be at the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics’ 61st Annual Convention on June 9, 2026 in Las Vegas.
