Miami parts ways with athletic director Blake James

Miami announced Monday that it has parted ways with athletic director Blake James, according to The Athletic's Manny Navarro.

"It has been an honor to lead Miami athletics and to be a part of such a world-class institution," James said in a statement.

Jennifer Strawley, Miami's deputy director of athletics, will serve as the interim AD. Miami will begin a national search for its next athletic director immediately.

James had served as the head of Hurricanes athletics since 2013. He worked his way up from senior associate athletic director in 2010 to interim director in 2012-13.

He accepted the position while the Hurricanes were in the midst of an NCAA investigation into rogue booster Nevin Shapiro.

James previously served in the same role at Maine from 2003-2010.

His departure could lead to a decision regarding the future of football coach Manny Diaz. The Hurricanes are 5-5 on the season and have struggled to meet their national title ambitions for over a decade. Miami is 19-15 under Diaz and coming off a 31-28 loss to rival Florida State last weekend.