This was an absolutely superb documentary about the rise of a the crummy University of Miami. What was most interesting to me was that I had no idea that they were considered a joke pre-1980 something. As long as I knew of the U I always knew of them as being one of the best colleges to go to for any player that possibly had a chance of going into Pro Football, whether it was to play for the USFL or the NFL. In fact if they just went through how many players have turned Pro in the last 30 years I bet it's almost 100 or more. That is extremely impressive & I very much doubt there are any other schools that can claim that. It was nice to see interviews from all sorts of the players, Jimmy Johnson, & the coach that came before him. This was an excellent documentary & any true college or Pro Football fan will be glad they saw this. I hope this gets a DVD release so that it can gain an even bigger audience. My only complaint was I felt this could have been longer & even more in depth especially in the later years.
9 Reviews
'Humility' Was Not In Their Vocabulary
ccthemovieman-124 January 2011
Wow, are these the most despicable college athletes ever? It sure looks it. I've talked to a half-dozen people who watched this episode and all of them wanted to put their hand through the TV and slap some of these arrogant punks, which includes coach Jimmy Johnson. "Swagger" is okay, but this is way too much.
One thing I'll say is the players and coaches sure put the U. of Miami football program on the map, and it was an exciting brand of football to watch. However, when you watch this show of non-stop in-your-face arrogance by those involved you'll be anything but a fan of the "U."
Have any of these thugs heard of the word "humility?" I think not.
One thing I'll say is the players and coaches sure put the U. of Miami football program on the map, and it was an exciting brand of football to watch. However, when you watch this show of non-stop in-your-face arrogance by those involved you'll be anything but a fan of the "U."
Have any of these thugs heard of the word "humility?" I think not.
Long on talent, short on character
mjkl648 July 2014
If you watch this documentary as a die-hard Hurricane fan, you'll love this production. If you watch it as a neutral fan who simply enjoys great football, you will likely be disgusted. It goes in depth about how coach Howard Schnellenburger brought a struggling program from rags to riches. In the '70s, UM was a perennial loser and attendance was so bad, they were giving out tickets to a game at Miami-area Burger Kings when someone bought a Whopper. Schnellenburger began to recruit talented players from tough neighborhoods- areas other college coaches had never tried to enter.
They won the national title in 1983, beating favored Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, 31-30 in a game that is still regarded as a classic today. Schnellenburger left the team to join the ill-fated USFL as a part owner and was replaced by Jimmy Johnson. Miami would go on to even higher heights of success in terms of winning but the problems with player conduct on and off the field started to become an issue, both to the school's administrators and with the national media. Playing for the national championship in 1987 against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, the Hurricanes caused a storm of controversy by deplaning in Phoenix wearing fatigues, talking about being ready for "war" and pretty much alienating everyone they met.
There are a lot of interviews with former Hurricane players and many of them seem to have the exact same boorish, taunting attitude they had over 20 years ago. The worst of their behavior is shown in the 1991 Cotton Bowl, where they obliterated Texas, 46-3. They also managed to accrue over 200 yards in penalties. This display revolted many viewers, the media, and even administrators at their university. In closing, the documentary is very good as there is plenty of game footage and lots of interviews with former Hurricane players and coaches. You might not like everything they have to say, though. 8 stars out of 10
They won the national title in 1983, beating favored Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, 31-30 in a game that is still regarded as a classic today. Schnellenburger left the team to join the ill-fated USFL as a part owner and was replaced by Jimmy Johnson. Miami would go on to even higher heights of success in terms of winning but the problems with player conduct on and off the field started to become an issue, both to the school's administrators and with the national media. Playing for the national championship in 1987 against Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl, the Hurricanes caused a storm of controversy by deplaning in Phoenix wearing fatigues, talking about being ready for "war" and pretty much alienating everyone they met.
There are a lot of interviews with former Hurricane players and many of them seem to have the exact same boorish, taunting attitude they had over 20 years ago. The worst of their behavior is shown in the 1991 Cotton Bowl, where they obliterated Texas, 46-3. They also managed to accrue over 200 yards in penalties. This display revolted many viewers, the media, and even administrators at their university. In closing, the documentary is very good as there is plenty of game footage and lots of interviews with former Hurricane players and coaches. You might not like everything they have to say, though. 8 stars out of 10
The U Invented Swagger
johandallas9431 December 2010
When I first saw the preview on ESPN 'what if i told you...college football was hit by a decade long hurricane?' and from that moment I was psyched seeing how I'm a huge football fan, NFL and college. I love football history and I've always wanted to hear about 'The U' in the 1980's. It didn't disappoint. This is the best documentary I have ever seen. In the 1970's Miami Football was a doormat for everyone else, but when Howard Schnellenberger arrived, he turned the team around by recruiting in the toughest ghettos of South Florida. The talent level was off the charts and they had a coach that knew how to control it. Interviews from the players and coaches tell how they transformed Miami into The U and a powerhouse that gave out beatings on the field while taunting and dancing in front of live television. They were labeled the villains of college football. But its a rise and fall story. At the high point of their dominance, the walls start to come down
The U
hollidayterri8 January 2015
I lived in Miami at this time and just recently watched the "U"..... This was so fantastic and the authenticity and truthfulness of these athletes is unmatched..... They are not despicable at all.... they are, "real." They made a social statement that every American should see....and, they were , fantastic football players who worked hard to have a winning team. I am enraged that they would be referred to as, "despicable." They made the University, millions of dollars and improved the football program to a level that was never seen.... Doesn't that deserve recognition?
I am disgusted at anyone who insults them..... I am completely inspired by their bravery and courage, which most people do not have. They were themselves and they were very talented. They did not play by the social rules of the time..... so what? That makes them despicable...? No, that makes them, "unconventional."
I am very offended at the insults to the most "authentic," football team ever seen.....
And, I love Jimmy Johnson, for standing by them...... you will never find a coach stand by his controversial players in this day and age.... hats off to Jimmy!!!
And, furthermore, all of the coaches (Schnelleberger, Johnson, Erikson) were extremely different in style but brought out the best in them.
I love the Hurricanes!!
I am disgusted at anyone who insults them..... I am completely inspired by their bravery and courage, which most people do not have. They were themselves and they were very talented. They did not play by the social rules of the time..... so what? That makes them despicable...? No, that makes them, "unconventional."
I am very offended at the insults to the most "authentic," football team ever seen.....
And, I love Jimmy Johnson, for standing by them...... you will never find a coach stand by his controversial players in this day and age.... hats off to Jimmy!!!
And, furthermore, all of the coaches (Schnelleberger, Johnson, Erikson) were extremely different in style but brought out the best in them.
I love the Hurricanes!!
The Miami Hurricanes played for keeps in their prime
Woodyanders21 March 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The Miami Hurricanes definitely were quite unorthodox in the way that they played football and how they conducted themselves both on and off the field (these rough'n'tumble guys from the hood positively relished and reveled in their bad boy image), but boy was the scrappy urban swagger that they brought to college football truly something to behold. Head coach Howard Schnellenberger had the strong vision to get the once floundering team back on track, replacement coach Jimmy Johnson proved to have just as much brash bravado as the players, and third fill-in coach Dennis Erickson kept the winning streak going into the early 1990's. Granted, some of the behavior that these fellows engaged in was disgusting at worst and questionable at best, but there's no denying that they gave the city of Miami something to be proud of when it needed it most and made a huge impact on college football that's both very impressive and wildly entertaining in equal measure.
Just all around great
d_lymp2 April 2021
A celebration of thug football.
planktonrules21 August 2012
In the 1980s and 90s, the University of Miami went from a second-rate college football school to THE powerhouse school. Unfortunately, they did this by encouraging thuggish behavior--a celebration of obnoxious and unsportsmanlike conduct. While this isn't the main reason I could now care less about sports, it is one of many. Sure, they were good teams--but the players frequently had brushes with the law, acted like jerks on and off the field and promoted the worst in people. BUT, they won games because apparently that is what's important in life--not character, class or intellect--just winning. Well, the ex-players and coaches all interviewed think this was the case, but there were many non-Miami players and coaches who couldn't stand them...and said so in this film. All in all, I found this to be one the least enjoyable films in the "30 for 30" series. Mostly, this was because I really hated what these people represented...and also because the film seemed to promote this or at least to tolerate it. This non-judgmental approach might appeal to some. It just made me annoyed. And, your view of their antics will greatly affect what you think of this installment of the series. It sure left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Another Winning Documentary for ESPN
Michael_Elliott17 December 2009
30 for 30: The U (2009)
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Extremely entertaining documentary taking a look at the Miami Hurricanes and their powerful run throughout the 1980s and early 90s. The school started off as nothing in a town full of racial violence but soon Howard Schnellenberger decided to go into the ghettos of the city and bring those men to the school. This here would continue with Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson coaching but soon the media and other schools started having second thoughts about what was really going on at the school. This is a rather extraordinary documentary that manages to do quite a few things. It does a lot but the one thing it forgets to do is to look at the program on a level playing field. Instead, Corben, a Miami native, has the players and coaches telling all of their stories about how great the program was and we never get to hear from other schools, players or coaches. To me this paints a rather unfair portrait where many of the controversial moments are either looked at and praised or glossed over all together. Towards the end of the film there's someone bragging about Miami players going out and robbing stereos!!! With that said, if you want a history lesson on what was going on during this period then you're going to have a hard time topping this. The film does a very good job at showing the "hurricane" coming through and destroying everything in its way. I thought the film did a wonderful job at explaining why Miami took off the way it did and how it eventually all came to an end. I'm sure a group of people could watch this film and debate on whether this school was good or bad for football but in my opinion it's great when a documentary can make you debate what it shows you. Again, for a history lesson this is great but I would have given it more credit had the other side been shown as well.
*** 1/2 (out of 4)
Extremely entertaining documentary taking a look at the Miami Hurricanes and their powerful run throughout the 1980s and early 90s. The school started off as nothing in a town full of racial violence but soon Howard Schnellenberger decided to go into the ghettos of the city and bring those men to the school. This here would continue with Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson coaching but soon the media and other schools started having second thoughts about what was really going on at the school. This is a rather extraordinary documentary that manages to do quite a few things. It does a lot but the one thing it forgets to do is to look at the program on a level playing field. Instead, Corben, a Miami native, has the players and coaches telling all of their stories about how great the program was and we never get to hear from other schools, players or coaches. To me this paints a rather unfair portrait where many of the controversial moments are either looked at and praised or glossed over all together. Towards the end of the film there's someone bragging about Miami players going out and robbing stereos!!! With that said, if you want a history lesson on what was going on during this period then you're going to have a hard time topping this. The film does a very good job at showing the "hurricane" coming through and destroying everything in its way. I thought the film did a wonderful job at explaining why Miami took off the way it did and how it eventually all came to an end. I'm sure a group of people could watch this film and debate on whether this school was good or bad for football but in my opinion it's great when a documentary can make you debate what it shows you. Again, for a history lesson this is great but I would have given it more credit had the other side been shown as well.
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