Here's Donald Trump's hand-written endorsement for Mike Leach to Miami

Three years ago, all-purpose tycoon Donald Trump sent a letter chiding his friend Donna Shalala, president of the University of Miami, for ignoring his advice to hire his other friend, then-Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, to fill the Hurricanes' head-coaching vacancy after the 2006 season. As of Saturday's 23-20 overtime loss to South Florida, Miami is looking for another new coach, and Trump is lobbying on Leach's behalf again – this time, over the Palm Beach Post's account of coach Randy Shannon's demise:

Trump's message: "Donna – You made a big mistake when you did not take my advice and hire Mike Leach of Texas Tech – look what happened to them since he left – (they knew he was leaving) – [indecipherable]! Hire Coach Leach and you will be #1 – And you can now get him for the right price. Best wishes, Donald." Any readers with any guesses what the word is above the "Dolphins at Raiders" box, by all means, leave it in the comments.

At least one person agrees with Trump's endorsement of Leach: Mike Leach. The outspoken Pirate Coach – now a South Florida resident after his bizarre ouster from Texas Tech last year – launched into interview mode for Wednesday's edition of the Post, describing himself as "a great fit" for Miami and promising "an exciting brand of football" that will "fill the seats" and bring a long-awaited ACC championship. "They could hire me and we'd have one decade after another of success with students that graduate and don't get into trouble," Leach said, "or they can hire somebody else."

As of Wednesday morning, it's looking like somebody else: Specifically, Jon Gruden, ex-NFL champion turned "Monday Night Football" commentator, who's reportedly meeting Wednesday with Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt in Tampa. It's not a done deal – Miami issued a release Wednesday morning denying rumors of a press conference later in the day to announce Gruden's hiring – but if Team Leach/Trump are serious about joining the fray, their time is running out.

[Update, 2:29 p.m. ET] ESPN's David Ubben and others suggest the word I'm struggling to make out is "Jealous!" That's as good a guess as any, although I'm not sure who is supposed to be jealous of whom here. Texas Tech of Leach? Shalala of Texas Tech? Shalala of Trump? Trump of Shalala? I think I'm going to drop this one before it becomes a bad Abbott and Costello routine.

- - -
Hat tip: Bruce Feldman.
Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Robin Tunney Kate Groombridge Dania Ramirez Lucy Liu LeAnn Rimes