Miami makes 'sad decision' to move from Orange Bowl to Dolphin Stadium

"It got to be very tough to hear and tough to communicate down there. That's what made it difficult," Florida State coach Bobby Bowden said.

Dolphin Stadium owner Wayne Huizenga said he hopes the move "continues the storied football legacy of UM," and Dolphins coach Cam Cameron was pleased.

"There are no negatives from our end," Cameron said.

Soon after the Hurricanes made their announcement, city officials, including Mayor Manny Diaz and city manager Pete Hernandez turned attention toward wooing the Marlins to the Orange Bowl site.

"I think the Orange Bowl would be a great site for the Marlins," Diaz said.

The Marlins -- whose lease at Dolphin Stadium ends in 2010 -- said they would "continue to work diligently" with city and county officials on a stadium plan, adding "the urgency of this situation has been further crystallized by today's decision by the University of Miami."

The city's stadium refurbishment plan was met with skepticism by some within the university, since much of the money would have come from grants and tax credits that haven't been secured.

Shalala called the city's effort "extraordinary," but wondered if remodeling was worthwhile.

"Is it appropriate for the University of Miami, a private university, to ask the people, the taxpayers of the city, to spend $200 million on six games a year?" Shalala asked.

Ultimately, that answer was no.

Some fans lobbied until the end, with more than 4,000 signing an online petition imploring the Hurricanes to stay put, and others organizing rallies in hope of getting trustees to change their mind.

"A lot of people say moving to Dolphin Stadium, you won't get the fan support," Miami coach Randy Shannon said. "But if you're truly a University of Miami fan, you're going to come. Fans are going to be there. We just have to give them a product."

Miami's last scheduled game at the Orange Bowl is Nov. 10 against Virginia.

"We can't live in yesterday's success," said Hall of Fame wide receiver Michael Irvin, a former Miami standout. "We have to move forward to tomorrow's success."