November 24, 2006
Coker fired at Miami
Larry Coker has been fired at Miami, after a 6-6 season and a 59-15 record for the Hurricanes. Coker will coach the Hurricanes in a bowl game, if Miami receives an invitation.
Coker coached the U in two national championship games, but lost twelve games in the last two seasons. He had three seasons left on a contract that paid him about $2 million annually.
Despite all the rumors, it appears that the most discussed candidates to replace Coker are former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, who is close with Miami president Donna Shalala; Rutgers coach and former Miami assistant Greg Schiano; and Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe.
I'll add a couple of names to this list:
1) Gene Chizik - Asst HC/DC - Texas
2) Jimbo Fisher - OC - LSU
3) Gary Patterson - HC - TCU
4) Jim Grobe - HC - Wake Forest
5) Mike Leach - HC - Texas Tech
6) Randy Shannon - DC - Miami
7) Jeff Tedford - HC - Cal
Comments:
C-DOGG said:
posted on November 24, 2006 1:38 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
I find it comical that at least half of the fans on this blog that have been picking on Miami this year don't realize the head coach of your favorite team is calling his agent to gage Miami's interest in him "behind closed doors". Why? because success at Miami means a fat NFL contract (excluding Coker of course). No 59-15 & two national title games is not good enough at "the U", yes we are spoiled fans, and all you cane haters better pray that Miami doesn't get Spurrier or Schiano. For the record, I'm not referring to USC fans here. Any school that can win 54 of 57 games demands my respect!
gatorhippy said:
posted on November 24, 2006 2:40 PM — 70.121.108.178 — link — abuse?
K-Hue:
Regarding Jim Grobe...
I read a fantastic article in the USA Today on Wake Forest and the coaching culture they have built there...
After reading this article I think you can probably take him off that list as I doubt Grobe would leave the family like atmosphere of WF for the crotch kicking UM fanbase...
JMHO
Gatorpilot said:
posted on November 24, 2006 2:46 PM — 71.42.27.135 — link — abuse?
UM fans are so awful. Did you see them "in force" for Coker's last game in the Orange Bowl? This has got to be the worst of the "high profile" coaching jobs out there. No wonder Butch Davis bolted straight for UNC.
debo151 said:
posted on November 24, 2006 3:23 PM — 72.79.182.114 — link — abuse?
We somehow have to get through this whole process getig a coach who will revive this offense and at the end still retain Randy Shannon. Shannon is a great defensive mind who played for UM an bleeds UM and if he were to leave that would add a new problem, a struggleing defense and punnishing defense has been a UM trademark even in down years. I believe UM will get through this and i say to all the recruits or commits who choose another team over the U " man up cuz when we get our swagger back youll be on your backs lookin up!!!"
posted on November 24, 2006 7:17 PM — link — abuse?Kevin Donahue said:
@gatorhippy - I agree that Grobe wouldn't be inclined to leave Wake for UM. Personally, I don't want him to, as I'd like to see him take over in Tallahassee after Bobby. :)
gatorhippy said:
posted on November 24, 2006 7:53 PM — 70.121.108.178 — link — abuse?
K-Hue:
I doubt he'll leave to go to FSU or anywhere else either...he just has it too good in a great athletics department in a the best small school in D-1 with extremely deep pockets where the focus is on continuity in coaching which promotes ALL their athletics to the top...
I strongly recommend anyone interested in D-1 athletics to read this story...Wake is doing it right...
Here's a link to the abstract...the full version is available for 4 bucks...Yeah I'm a cheap skate, but I read it the day it came out for 75 cents...this story is worth your 4 bucks
gatorhippy said:
posted on November 24, 2006 7:57 PM — 70.121.108.178 — link — abuse?
Hmmmm....
I didn't realize that Shalala had a board member that went by the name...C-Dogg...
I would figure anybody that would actually be speaking FOR the U of Miami would do it in the media and not on a CFB message board...
Or do you have some inside info, C-Dogg...
Doubtful, but if you do why don't you share it...
Gary said:
posted on November 24, 2006 9:41 PM — 75.203.118.202 — link — abuse?
Funny to see Coker coach these last 3 games. He really looked like he was having the best time since he won the national championship with talent I could have coached and did the same. Im glad he is gone and hope for someone with some balls to push these kids to work their asses off in offseason like the old days. Gino said it all last nite on National TV. We didnt always have the best but we knew we worked harder than everyone and had a legacy to uphold. GO CANES
GARY
DAVID said:
posted on November 24, 2006 11:03 PM — 69.138.104.161 — link — abuse?
I don't know why this rumor about Spurrier keeps flying around. We wanted someone with youth and desire to lead this program and although I think Spurrier is a great coach do we really want someone who is older than "Grandpa" Coker taking over, and God knows we don't need Barry Alvarez. He was an average coach at best.
Regan said:
posted on November 24, 2006 11:14 PM — 64.12.116.199 — link — abuse?
This is the saddest thing about College Football IMHO. This guy was a really great person, and a decent coach, who was just a bit in over his head. Best wishes to him wherever he goes, and you can bet I will pull for whatever team is lucky enough to get him.
(Note: I am a Miami fan, other 'Canes might strongly disagree...)
It is really easy for all of us to complain and scream at the TV and act as if we know more about the game than the people who dedicate their professional careers to it.
We'll scream and yell for these guys to lose their jobs, careless of the huge impact it has on the lives of their families and those of the assistants - all because we might disagree with the play calling or the fact they had a down year.
Coker put in more time and energy into this program than anyone posting on this blog. He invested six years of his life into trying to maintain and later rebuild - his dismissal shouldn't be celebrated, IMHO, and personally, I feel terrible for the guy for the optimistic words he said last night when he won his final UM game, believing he would be back next year.
For the record, yeah, I guess he needed to go - putting 23,000 in the stands won't pay the bills. But geez, this is a gut-wrenching day to read the news of this wonderful guy hanging his head...
He built a family at Miami. Bryan's death showed the whole country how close they were. Now, he's getting kicked out of this family...and it sucks.
Yeah, I know...but it still sucks...
Best wishes to you, Larry, thanks for all you did, and I'll be rooting for ya...
T-Mac said:
posted on November 25, 2006 12:52 AM — 66.78.139.117 — link — abuse?
Regan, good post #16. Coach Coker will be fine wherever he winds up. We never like to see these things happen, but it is just business. Nothing more, Nothing less. Regan, you say " Coker put in more time and energy into this program than anyone posting on this blog". Well, Regan I hope Coach Coker did just that while he was at Miami. THAT WAS HIS JOB. He was paid way more to be the HEAD COACH of the Miami Hurricanes than anyone posting on this blog. Don't feel sorry for Coker. He is a millionaire Regan. Are You? I know what you mean about hating to see him go and everything, but don't feel sorry for those in HIGH places G. He will be fine. T-Mac
sean said:
posted on November 25, 2006 9:14 AM — 209.82.168.215 — link — abuse?
Maurice,
If you don't know what you are talking about, don't post. It's not been one bad season, it's been a steady downhill slide.
Regan was right, as usual. Coker was a nice guy who was in over his head. The only thing I see differently is this, everyone said he cleaned up Miami's Thug image. I saw him steadily losing control of the players. Stomping on the logo at Louisville? No class. FIU brawl? Continual trouble with players? Butch kept them in line pretty good.
I too hate to see a man get fired and people celebrate. The good thing is, he won't exactly have to get a job bagging groceries to pay the rent or anything like that.easternfan said:
posted on November 25, 2006 9:26 AM — 67.72.98.89 — link — abuse?
People, UM's biggest problem is Donna Shalala, not Coker. They have refused to upgrade their facilities, including the Orange Bowl itself. They have been getting by on reputation instead of substance. I will make a prediction, at least two of the above mentioned coaches will turn the job down before they get someone to take it. The Canes fans are fair weather only, the expectations are way too high, failure looms in the spotlight of UM for the next coach too. See Nebraska for an example of where UM is heading. Florida, S. Florida, Central Florida and FSU will all benefit from the demise of the Canes.
C-DOGG said:
posted on November 25, 2006 9:40 AM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
Regan,
Re: post#17I fully understand your gripe. Yes, Coker is a good man. Any yes it is all about $$. Think about this though.....he is a multi-millionaire. If he never coaches again, he's set for life (if he invests properly). So the efecdt on his family should be minimal. His record at Miami will be good enough for Michigan State, Colorado, or some other big school to give him a shot just because he coached my Canes to two national title games (and came within a bogus pass interference call of back to back titles).
BuckiNut said:
posted on November 25, 2006 10:35 AM — 65.189.178.33 — link — abuse?
Regan,re:post17
I am pretty far distanced from Miami football but if it is correct that they only put 23,000 in the stands for sat. it seems their problems go a lot deeper than the head coach. I do know that when the Buckeyes played them in 2002 for the national championship [they were on top] and very few fans traveled to Tempe to root for their team. When tOSU is on a down year Yes, we will call for the coaches head but we do it in the stands on sat. supporting our team and university. Canes fans, GET BEHIND YOUR TEAM they need you. Miami has a great football tradition and im sure they will be back on top again.cubanitoindallas said:
posted on November 25, 2006 12:06 PM — 208.54.95.129 — link — abuse?
I'm sorry that Coker lost his job. But I'm not sorry that Coker
got fired. Did everyone forget that Coker fired 4 long-time UM
assistant coaches at the beginning of the season?? Anytime
any boss or coach...come into a work place in the
beginning of the year and convince upper management to shake
things up and fire people. That person is going to be held responsible for making those decisions. So, if you're going to
pull out your kleenex box for Coker...just remember, he forced 4
coaches and their families to move elsewhere and look for work.
Coker should have spent more attention on recruiting and discipline, and less on rearranging his coaching staff. Hopefully we'll get a coach focused on discipline, pride, and respect for the university of Miami. I'm tired of our program producing punks!! From Michael Irvin, Ray Lewis, Jeremy Shockey, and Kellen Winslow.
Despite what the nation thinks...these players are NOT why University of Miami football has had a successful football program. To figure that out....take a good look at the list of
coaches we've had in the past 40 years. Coker was like Barry Switzer taking over the Dallas Cowboys in 1994. It's almost
10 years now since the Cowboys have regained respectability.
I'm willing to wait another 10 for the U of M program to get
theirs back. PLEASE GIVE US A COACH THAT HAS INTEGRITY!!!C-DOGG said:
posted on November 25, 2006 2:30 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
Gatorhippy,
Re: #12I have the same amount of insider info about Miami as you do about the Gators (nada). Has grobe accomplished enough to be on Shalala's wish list? You know the answer. Other than that, good luck with the gators for the rest of the year. I do miss that Miami V. Florda rivalry (although it has been lopsided for a while).
goodolnuma5 said:
posted on November 25, 2006 5:56 PM — 24.208.149.244 — link — abuse?
Of course Coker is a GOOD GUY, that was the problem. How many of you guys had the NICE coach when you played? If that NICE coach became the head coach, you knew you could get away with more. Coker was a great assistant,and not a great Xs and Os head coach. Tressel simply outcoached him in 02.
Gatorpilot said:
posted on November 26, 2006 7:58 PM — 71.42.27.135 — link — abuse?
In over his head?
People, Coker won a nat'l championship and competed for another during his tenure. Yeah, yeah, it was Butch Davis' players, and yeah, it probably was time for a coaching change, but please... this guy is a VERY successful head coach. He came out of this smelling like a rose and he'll probably lead another program to victory without having to deal with those awful Miami fans.
gatorhippy said:
posted on November 27, 2006 7:29 AM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?
C-Dogg (#25):
Actually, I have one relative that works in the Athletic's office at UF and a cousin on the football team...
So, my insider info on Florida is a little above "nada"...
Even so, I don't beleive you see me shooting my mouth off about what the Gators do or don't want...
That said I beleive that Grobe would be a person to look at in the job search in Miami...
After all, in ten years he has taken a football team from a school with a population of only 4000 and turned it around with the a strong set of values and family atmosphere...
Pay the cash and read the article i posted earlier on this thread...
There are definitley more than a few things that ALL large D-1 athletics offices could learn from the Deacons...
C-DOGG said:
posted on November 27, 2006 11:59 AM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
gatorhippy,
Re:(#31),Let it go man. Anyone can pretend to have "insider information" on their favorite school. Half of the people on the internet are a bunch of phonies hiding behind a keyboard. I came at you with the truth, not a bunch of I know "the U" personally crap. This is fanblogs, not "i know the inside scoop" blogs. Even if you actually do know people in the athletic office & on the football team, why in the h*ll would anyone of importance confide in them in order to tell you something? Grobe is not good enough for "the U" in my opinion. I'm entitled to my opinion...and I'm sure Shalala agrees. If you hear that he is interviewed, give me the link so that I will stand corrected. Until then, don't make a mountain out of a mowhill (did I spell that right). Considering that you are a gator fan, I can understand why every little thing that a canes fan says bothers you. Miami owns the gators....in head to head competition and national titles. That is why you are still blogging on this old fanblogs subject that keeps getting further and further down the page everytime you log on. Let it go man.
gatorhippy said:
posted on November 27, 2006 12:52 PM — 209.16.115.5 — link — abuse?
C-Dogg:
Relax, man...
Whether you want to believe that or not is no problem of mine...
I'm not really concerned about that...
And I'm not saying that anybody is confiding in me about anything...
Again, my info is a "little above 'nada'"...
Hence, when something is put into the media I can at times get a little more info...
But not much more than anybody else...
I have no axe to grind with and tons of respect for the Hurricane program...
Actually, I pull for the Canes EVERY time they play the Noles...
As for blogging on an "old" topic...
Take note that the last six posts have come in last two days...
Including two of yours...
Again, take a deep breath and relax...
The Canes will be back very soon and in a BIG way...
Oh yeah, it's "molehill"...
C-DOGG said:
posted on November 27, 2006 2:55 PM — 76.188.148.131 — link — abuse?
gatorhippy,
no harm, no foul. Thanks on the molehill (had a brain freeze there). And of course fanblogs will hear from me(C-dogg) the most on anything they post about Miami (until the subject leaves the page). I'm passionate about my Canes regardless of their record.Random_guy said:
posted on November 28, 2006 1:27 AM — 131.53.128.33 — link — abuse?
Why is no-one talking about Steve Kragthrope from Tulsa? He took over a program that won only 2 games in their previous two years. He immediately made them winners despite playing as a lower tier team in the WAC, and has to fight for recruiting in state with OU and OSU, and texas which seemingly belongs to the whole Big 12. He led his team's transition into the CUSA, winning the conference title in their first year. This year he has managed to pull back to back winning seasons, which hasn't happened to this school in god knows when. He is young, has a brillant mind for passing oriented offenses and is prime for a job at a big name school. He would take miami back to the top, especially with the school's huge bugdet and fertile recruiting fields. You guys should be pulling for this man.
FrogFan5 said:
posted on November 28, 2006 8:08 PM — 204.2.210.4 — link — abuse?
What about Randy Shannon for the replacement @ Miami? Can he get it done? He's been there for a while. Would anything change? However don't ever make the mistake of NOT placing him as one of College Football's great coaches.
'Cane Mutiny said:
posted on November 30, 2006 9:52 PM — 65.9.196.173 — link — abuse?
Randy Shannon would be a good coach, but I don't see him solving Miami's offensive problems. He would, however, be a much more plausible choice than many of the other names flying around because of his history with the program and the great things he's done with the defense.
..It's great to be a Miami Hurricane, even if they're going to play their bowl in Boise, Idaho..
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TrojanHorse said:
posted on November 24, 2006 12:57 PM — 208.54.95.129 — link — abuse?Wow, that is a surprise!!!! LOl
Seriously, was this unexpected, was it a surprise.. heck no.. probably the right decision although I thought it should have been done two or three weeks ago
let the rumors begin on the replacement.. correction.. increase the rumor mill on the replacement