Social media blasts former Michigan President Santa Ono after being denied Florida job

Back in the early part of May, in a surprising turn of events, the University of Michigan's President Santa Ono announced he was departing from Michigan to head over to the University of Florida to become its President. Not even a full three years at Michigan, it appeared Ono had hastily made a decision and left the University out in the cold -- it was also the shortest tenure of any Michigan President.

But things didn't go the way Ono had planned. In another shocking turn of events, on Tuesday, the Florida higher education system Board of Governors rejected the hiring of Ono. He lost the vote 10-6. It's the first time in the history of the 17-member Florida Board of Governors (BOG), the governing body for the state's 12 public universities, that it voted down a university trustee board's leadership selection.

The decision comes a week after UF's Board of Trustees had unanimously approved Ono as its president-elect on May 27

BREAKING: The Florida higher education system Board of Governors rejects the hiring of Santa Ono as University of Florida president. Vote was 6 yes, 10 no.
— David Jesse (@reporterdavidj) June 3, 2025

According to the Gainesville Sun, Ono was grilled for hours on his viewpoints:

Ono was grilled for roughly three hours on his past support of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs during his time leading the University of Michigan, his views on holistic versus merit-based admissions, gender-affirming care, climate change and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic — all of which have been flashpoints in the culture wars waged by Florida's ruling conservatives. He also was asked about an encampment of pro-Palestine protesters that remained on the Michigan campus for a month, and about his position on antisemitism.

Social media reacts to Florida denying the former Michigan President

Once news came out about Ono not getting the University of Florida job, Michigan social media went after the former President. After backing Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines, along with other sports programs, fans and people associated with the University didn't hold back.

"He doesn’t believe in anything—just auditions for approval in whatever room he’s in."
— Fran Lebowitz
— Jordan Acker (@JordanAckerMI) June 3, 2025

https://t.co/9HaexwMJUu
— Rep. Carrie Rheingans (@RepRheingans) June 3, 2025

How did former U-M pres. Santa Ono fail to count the votes for the Florida job, which he lost 10-6? He could have bowed out prior, probably falsely claim it was on principle (when he has none), and still get a top college job. Now neither side of the DEI divide will take him.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) June 4, 2025

A friend joked that former U-Michigan president, and almost-U-Florida president, Santa Ono is the Bill Frieder of college presidents -- except Bill Frieder made sure he had a new contract before he burned the U-M bridge.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) June 4, 2025

This wasn't hard to predict -- and I predicted it on @SamWebb77's show @michiganinsider. He acted like he believed in DEI to get the Michigan job, then acted like he didn't to get the UF job. Hard to say what he actually believes, but he's out of two jobs now. https://t.co/Z73Hdk5cUg
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) June 3, 2025

Thank you to the board of governors of the University of Florida for rejecting the radical Santa Ono for the university's new president.

Politico calls this vote "shocking" and "unprecedented." Maybe it is, but it won't be for long. Conservatives have finally realized that they…
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 3, 2025

BREAKING: The Florida Board of Governors has rejected Santa Ono for the presidency of University of Florida. This is a massive win for conservatives—and an act of courage by the board.
— Christopher F. Rufo ⚔️ (@realchrisrufo) June 3, 2025