September 7, 2005
Questions spinning about Coker's position at Miami
Despite his winning record (44-7), the three-years remaining on his contract, and the rumors of a five-year contract extension (that has yet to be signed according to the Palm Beach Post), Miami coach Larry Coker can't relax - not after the struggles UM faced last season and the loss this week to Florida State.
With the spectre of former Miami Hurricanes football coaches Butch Davis and Dennis Erickson looking for jobs, the 'Canes fans are slowly starting to up the pressure on Larry Coker.
As I pointed out this week, Coker has progressively lost more games year after year (12-0, 12-1, 11-2 and 9-3) since taking over at Miami.
Greg Stoda of the Palm Beach Post points out that it's not just the diminishing returns Coker has produced as of late, but also wonders if Coker is up to the challange of winning in a much improved ACC.
Miami is 5-4 in its new environment, and the 'Canes have lost to North Carolina, Clemson, Virginia Tech and Florida State in their past six ACC games. The most recent disconcerting development presented itself Monday night to the Hurricanes when they had a six-game winning streak against Florida State broken in an ugly 10-7 loss at Doak Campbell Stadium....
Four of the Hurricanes' five ACC victories, for example, have been by margins of 24, 14, 10 and 45 points. The other one — in last season's opener — was by six in overtime against Florida State. But the four ACC losses suffered by Miami have been by margins of three, seven (in overtime), six and three points.
How a team performs in close games is a lot more revealing than how many opponents it routs.
5-4 in the ACC. 5-4. Miami has won less than 60% of it's ACC games. How long will the Miami fans tolerate that kind of number? We're just one game into the season, but...5-4 in the ACC? Can Coker put the chip back on the 'Canes shoulder and regain the swagger? Or is this a Miami team that's headed for another letdown with Clemson just ahead?
Coker needs to get Miami to the ACC title game and --for his own good-- I think he better just presume the UM boosters simply won't accept another three-loss season - or, as Coker's trend suggests, a further slide to a four-loss season.
Comments:
Rob said:
posted on September 7, 2005 10:09 PM — 205.230.132.253 — link — abuse?
The argument I heard was that the FSU player stuck his hand onto the white (out of bounds) and that meant he was out of bounds as a result.
ARTICLE 1. a. A player or an airborne player is out of bounds when any part of his person touches anything, other than another player or game official, on or outside a boundary line (A.R. 4-2-1-I and II).
I can't find out why he can't catch the ball anyway, but I think that was the logic.
posted on September 7, 2005 10:55 PM — 12.217.43.245 — link — abuse?Robert Knodell said:
Miami just doesn't have the entrenched fan base that will weather many mediocre years. Most of the ticket buyers down there are casual fans who show up when the team is ranked in the top 10. Expect the gate receipts at the Orange Bowl to start dropping if things don't begin to look up.
If Coker is shown the door (or--as is more likely--simply retires), Butch Davis would be the wisest hire IF he can convince them that his NFL flirtations are over. Erickson left some scars down there that may or may not have healed.
Mike Price or Norm Chow would be gutsy hires, but I don't expect either to happen. Bob Stoops might be a possibility if he grows weary of Norman, but I expect his next move to be to the NFL. Bobby Petrino might take a look at it (he takes a look at everything else...why not Miami?). Who else is there?
sean said:
posted on September 12, 2005 10:31 AM — 209.82.168.215 — link — abuse?
Even though it would kill me, losing to Clemson just might be the ticket to get rid of Grandpa Larry. In the press conference before FSU, he said "we can lose this game and still be OK for the ACC Championship game" Since when does Miami plan to lose to anyone? Since when should any coach plan to lose? he's gotta go, this is getting ridiculous. I watched the South Carolina game against Georgia and wished for a time machine so we could have hired Spurrier.
posted on September 17, 2005 4:22 AM — link — abuse?
I don't know if this is an omen, but Fire Larry Coker.com now has a "coming soon" page showing.
posted on September 17, 2005 10:07 AM — link — abuse?
The registrant lists a Brooklyn, NY address so odds are it's a actual Miami fan too.
Tony said:
posted on December 31, 2005 12:08 PM — 68.63.41.168 — link — abuse?
Am i the only one that understands Larry Coker is
unable to coach a team with this much talent. He was out coached by one of the worst coaches in the sec. He has no clue how to motivate a group of kids. Kyle Wright is another problem.Canefan said:
posted on January 1, 2006 2:57 AM — 70.149.75.68 — link — abuse?
Just got back with my 9 year old son from Atlanta, after witnessing the thrashing at the hands of LSU. Before the game we had the opportunity to participate in "Fanfest" where Cane players walked through the crowd. Most were too busy listening to their I-Pods and few acknowledged their fans. Most were un-emotional and it showed in their performance. By the way those comments were actually made by my 9 year old son. I hate to say it, but I was always a Coker apologist. I now have a change in heart. The result in Atlanta clearly shows this program has progressively gotten worst under the tenure of Coker. He is a tremendous person with excellent ethics (I have sat next to him at corporate breakfast and luncheons). A good guy, but not the right guy for the program. In hindsight it was a Great idea to have him here in the short term after the Butch Davis departure, however Paul Dee made a poor judgement call in considering a long term commitment with Larry Coker. He should have been seeking a permanent replacement during the 2001 and 2002 seasons. This loss to LSU could have more negative ramifications then the probationary years, at least the program had an excuse back then. What do you tell recruits now when they ask questions like 1) Why has the teams record gotten worst since the 2001 National Championship? 2) It seems that opponents are not intimidated by UM anymore,why? 3) Why have you settled (The last 2 years) playing at subpar bowls like the Peach when supposedly you have BCS bowl talent? Interesting to see what happens during the off season.
Pete said:
posted on January 14, 2006 10:53 PM — 64.12.116.199 — link — abuse?
Yes, we do need a new coach. The best choice is Marc Trestman. HAVE YOU SEEN HIS SUCCESS? This guy is BIG TIME! He's currently the NC State Offensive Coordinator & QB coach. Jay Cutler, the highly rated QB from Vanderbilt actually hired him to prepare him for the upcoming draft! He helped lead Miami to the 1983 National Championship and the 1984 Fiesta Bowl. Coached both Bernie Kosar and Vinny Testaverde, and recruited Steve Walsh. He was named the 2002 NFL Offensive Coordinator of the Year by American Football Weekly. Helped lead the 2002 Raiders to the Super Bowl, in the process Gannon was named the NFL MVP. The Raiders lead the NFL in total offense (389.9 yards a game) and in passing (279.7). Gannon also set NFL single-season records for pass completions (418) and 300-yard games (10). In first season with Arizona in 1998, helped the Cardinals win their first playoff game since 1947. Returning to the NFL after three years, he was the offensive coordinator for a 1995 San Francisco team that lead the NFL in scoring (29.5 points) and passing yards (4,779) and second in total offense (6,258). In first season as offensive coordinator at the pro level, helps the Cleveland Browns reach the AFC Championship game as Bernie Kosar throws for 3,533 yards and 18 touchdowns. I would love to hear..."Here comes Marc Trestman...whoosh whoosh"
mike said:
posted on September 17, 2006 9:09 PM — 4.2.130.50 — link — abuse?
To attend school a student should know how to count to 11, there have been college basketball programs that had tests in classes created asking how many quarter made up a game. 18 year old players can figure this out, BUT not Larry Coker he can not get 11 men on the field after a TV timeout or one he has taken. Forget that he does not adjust a gameplan that is not working, he can even get the right guys on the field. HE MUST GO NOW!!!! He won with Butch's guys anyway.
JBC said:
posted on September 19, 2006 7:01 PM — 72.192.241.203 — link — abuse?
Larry Coker's attitude is a great example of the type of team hes put together.... His press conference that was aired on ESPN on thursday showed nothing but arrogance and ignorance...WAY TO GO!!! He really earned this loss!!!!
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Bill said:
posted on September 7, 2005 4:33 PM — 24.73.220.46 — link — abuse?During the FSU Miami game, did anyone see irrefutable evidence that the dropped punt was not recovered by the Seminoles. From all angles shown on tv, the FSU player clearly had knees and elbows in bounds when the ball was covered. Other than the fact that the next play the Noles intercepted the ball and ran it down the the goal line, I saw nothing that should have reversed the on field call. Did anyone else see a reason to reverse the Call?