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Miami Hurricanes saving state of Florida football from total embarrassment | D’Angelo

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Miami Hurricanes saving state of Florida football from total embarrassment | D’Angelo


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Remember when Curt Cignetti, coach of the 13th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers, famously said “google me” when talking about his success?

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Well, you might not want to google “state of college football in Florida.” All it will do is get you wondering what happened to all the success our college football programs have enjoyed.

The state’s been in somewhat of a funk in recent years, but this is close to rock bottom. So bad that perhaps Florida should claim Vanderbilt, a longtime college football laughing stock, as one of its own since the Commodores are building a campus in West Palm Beach.

Vanderbilt, right now, is a better program than any in the state not named Miami.

More: Listen Now! Miami is a big favorite over FSU, but anything can happen in a rivalry game

Speaking of the Hurricanes, the most disappointing, over-hyped program in the state the last two decades, now is the one saving us from sheer embarrassment.

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Thank the football gods for the University of Miami.

While Miami is holding onto its top 10 ranking at 7-0, the other six FBS programs are a combined 15-27. Only Florida, whose coach, Billy Napier, is the most likely to be fired among state schools, is above .500 at 4-3. And that is about to turn real quick with the gauntlet of games upcoming for the Gators.

Cam Ward, Hurricanes dominating state

But none of the Sorry Six’s failures should undermine what quarterback Cam Ward and the Hurricanes have accomplished this year, despite a recent dip that should have everyone a bit concerned about their attempt to win a first ACC title.

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Ward, a Heisman Trophy candidate, clearly has been the most significant transfer portal transaction in the country. The Hurricanes collective spent wisely in luring Ward, who cost UM boosters more an $1 million for one year of service in this pay-for-play world the NCAA has created.

But it’s been money well spent. Just ask coach Mario Cristobal, who can thank Ward (and ACC officials) for lifting the pressure from his shoulders after an underwhelming start at his alma mater. Before that season opener in Gainesville between Miami and Florida, fans were equally disenchanted with Napier and Cristobal.

Now, Miami leads the nation with 577.3 yards per game and is second with 48.3 points. Ward leads the country with 2,538 yards and 24 passing TDs, and is second in passing efficiency.

And he’s consistently been among the Heisman Trophy favorites. Right now, he should be the favorite.

But this is far from a slam dunk for the Hurricanes, certainly not after what we’ve seen the past three weeks. Miami is fortunate it does not have two losses, escaping close final-drive wins against two very mediocre opponents, Virginia Tech and Cal, and winning a shootout at Louisville last Saturday.

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As for the Canes defense, it has been nothing short of a dumpster fire for three weeks.

And Miami’s weak schedule will not be viewed favorably by the playoff committee if it slips just once. Either Miami wins the conference or it will be traveling for a first-round game, if it has just one loss.

These last three weeks have dropped Miami behind Clemson in most projections to enter the 12-team playoff as the ACC champion.

But those are problems teams in the rest of the state would welcome.

FSU season a shocking failure

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Take Florida State, for example.

If you’re seeking a program whose investment in a quarterback is at the other end of Miami striking gold with Ward, check out Florida State and DJ Uiagalelei. This is New York Jets and Aaron Rodgers-level bad.

The Miami-FSU rivalry resumes Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium with the Canes a 21-point favorite, a 35-point swing from a year ago.

The 1-6 Seminoles are in the middle of a shocking reversal from a 13-0 start, including an ACC title, a year ago to a season that likely will end with two wins.

And that might be disrespecting Charleston Southern to think it cannot beat FSU in Tallahassee.

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Each team has a 42-point win in this series in recent years, Miami in 2020 and FSU in 2022.

That should be about right this year, but only if Miami takes a knee the entire fourth quarter.

FSU just scratches the surface of the disappointment in our state. While Florida (4-3) found some life with its win over Kentucky Saturday, that will not last. The Gators probably will need to win at FSU on the final weekend of the regular season to make a bowl.

And nothing outside of a few gigantic upsets will save Napier’s job.

But if you ask UCF (3-4), USF (3-4), FAU (2-5) and FIU (2-5), all would trade their record for Florida’s. Heck, with Napier’s buyout at about $27 million if he’s fired at the end of the season, some of those coaches gladly would trade places with the Gators coach, too.

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All four of those programs were expected to take a step forward this season. All four now are wondering how they raise enough money to bring in fresh players.

Especially UCF’s Gus Malzahn, who is squandering all momentum the Knights had from entering the Big 12 last year as he spirals to possibly a second consecutive losing season.

But do not feel sorry for Malzahn. He already hit the lottery once being fired by Auburn following the 2020 season and collecting a $21.5 million buyout.

Some of these state coaches could only be so lucky.

Tom D’Angelo is a senior sports columnist and golf reporter for The Palm Beach Post. He can be reached at tdangelo@pbpost.com.

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Traffic stop goes viral after Florida deputy accuses driver missing right hand of holding phone

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Traffic stop goes viral after Florida deputy accuses driver missing right hand of holding phone


PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Video of a traffic stop in Palm Beach County is going viral over an awkward exchange between the driver and a deputy who accused her of holding a phone while driving.

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“You drove past me holding a phone with your right hand, manipulating that phone,” the deputy tells 36-year-old Kathleen “Katie” Thomas.

“Obviously not,” Thomas says while laughing and holding up her right arm, showing that she’s missing her right hand.

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“So you wanna call this a day?” she asks.

“I don’t want to call this a day. You had a hand up, manipulating,” the deputy responds.

“You just said my right hand,” Thomas counters.

“Well, I thought I saw your right hand,” the deputy says.

“So you didn’t,” Thomas responds.

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Thomas posted the bodycam footage on Instagram and TikTok where it gained millions of likes.

In the video, although she shows the deputy she doesn’t have a right hand, the deputy doubled down.

“I’m asking you now; did you or not have your phone in your hand?” the deputy asks.

“I did not,” Thomas responds.

“You did not have your phone in your hand?” the deputy asks again.

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“I did not,” Thomas responds.

“Hand to God, you didn’t have a phone in your hand?” the deputy asks.

“Hand to God,” Thomas says.

Court records show Thomas was given a $116 citation despite the presented evidence, but it was later dismissed at the request of the deputy involved.

Copyright 2026 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.





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Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explodes on launch pad in Florida

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Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explodes on launch pad in Florida


A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded Thursday night on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida. 

The explosion occurred at about 9 p.m. ET. Blue Origin said there were no injuries from the incident. 

“We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test,” Blue Origin said in a statement. “All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more.”

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station also confirmed in a separate statement that “all personnel have been accounted for and there were no injuries/fatalities.”

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A Blue Origin rocket explodes on a launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida. May 28, 2026. 

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Blue Origin was scheduled to fuel the rocket Thursday evening ahead of a planned test firing of the rocket’s engines.

Blue Origin, which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its third New Glenn rocket last month.

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This rocket was being prepared for the fourth New Glenn mission as soon as June 4 to launch 48 satellites for Amazon’s Leo internet service, which competes with Elon Musk’s Starlink. 

The 48 satellites were not aboard the rocket during the test. It was not immediately clear how much damage the launch pad and ground equipment sustained, or how long it might take to repair it.

Space Launch Complex 36, where the explosion occurred, is the only launch pad equipped to launch New Glenn rockets.

The New Glenn rocket is key to Blue Origin’s and NASA’s moon base plans, and the explosion will likely be a setback. Next year, the New Glenn is supposed to launch another Blue Moon lander as part of the Artemis III mission in low Earth orbit.

In a social media post, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman wrote, “Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult. We will work with our partners to support a thorough investigation of this anomaly, assess near-term mission impacts, and get back to launching rockets.”  

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The New Glenn rocket had just been cleared on May 22 to return to flight after being grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration after an anomaly with the second stage during an April 19 launch.

In a statement Thursday, the FAA said it was aware that the rocket had “experienced an anomaly during a static fire test on the pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida,” adding that the “test was not within the scope of FAA licensed activities.”

The FAA also noted that “there was no impact to air traffic” from the explosion. 

Bezos wrote on X Thursday night, “It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it. Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”

Musk wrote: “Sorry to see this, I hope you recover quickly.”

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Florida to pay Sumrall’s assistants a combined $11.2M in 2026

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Florida to pay Sumrall’s assistants a combined .2M in 2026


GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida coach Jon Sumrall’s assistants will make a combined $11.2 million in 2026, a significant investment for a program desperate to win more often.

Offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner tops the list after signing a three-year, $6.6 million contract to leave Georgia Tech and join Sumrall in Gainesville. Faulker will get $2.1 million in 2026 – the first $2 million coordinator in school history – and has a $100,000 raise set for each of the next two years.

Only six college offensive coordinators were paid $2 million or more in 2025, according to CBS Sports. Fifteen defensive coordinators topped $2 million.

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Florida defensive coordinator Brad White signed a three-year, $5.85 million deal that starts at $1.85 million and also includes a $100,000 raise in 2027 and 2028.

The Gators released the contracts Thursday in response to a public records request.

Sumrall signed a six-year, $44.7 million contract last year that averages $7.45 million annually. The Gators will dole out more than $20 million to Sumrall, his staff of 15 assistants and a front office led by new general manager Dave Caldwell.

Four of the assistants are scheduled to earn at least $1 million during their deals.

Defensive line coach Gerald Chapman and offensive line coach Phil Trautwine will join Faulker and White in the seven-figure club. Chapman, the lone holdover from former Florida coach Billy Napier’s staff, will make $950,000 this year and $1 million in 2027. Trautwine, meanwhile, starts at $750,000 and jumps to $1 million. Both signed two-year deals.

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Their salaries show Sumrall’s commitment to rebuilding the team along both lines of scrimmage in the powerhouse Southeastern Conference.

Napier’s 12-man coaching staff was paid a combined $7.5 million in 2025. The Gators posted three losing seasons in Napier’s four years.

The rest of Sumrall’s staff range between making $350,000 and $600,000 annually, all of them on two-year contracts.



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