Fanblogs.com - Latest Comments in The return of... Larry Coker?

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

U.of S.C.1978 — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 19:18:26 -0000

He's back.

http://sports.espn.go.com/n...

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

TampaGator — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:53:44 -0000

Can/Res:

Backlash? Maybe a slight undercurrent, but hardly a backlash. Leak played conservatively; threw the ball out of bounds to avoid INT's, slid to avoid getting hit, things like that. Tebow came at opponents like a bull. That would motivate any croud--especially coming from a freshmen. That doesn't translate into distrust of Leak though; just excitement about the new guy, which has obviously panned out. I don't know anything about the posters on ESPN's blog, but the talk among the Gator faithful, has always been positive towards Leak, in my experience.

Re. Zook--no you didn't say he was as good a coach as Meyer; but you did suggest that Zook could have won a NC, based on the fact that Meyer did. That's just naive, and betrays "cane spoiliation" (my word for the phonomenum that b/c Miami won 5 NC's since '83, canes think NC's grow on trees, and that if you don't win one in a matter of 3 years, you suck). The rest of us know otherwise. NC's are a bitch to come by.

That '06 NC in particular was a patchwork of miracles--produced by desire and opportunity meeting several times. 3 blocked kicks v. SC in particular come to mind; a fumble by LSU at the end of the 1st half that changed to tone of the game; some other breaks. Zook's teams blow those opp's. No question. We probably don't even get those chances. Ergo, no NC. As for this year? Too speculative, since it had all Meyer's players.

Re. OSU: That was a great OSU team with Maurice--whatever his name is--and the 'canes lost McGahee with a lot of FB left in the game.

...and despite losing Willis, for 4 long seconds, Larry Coker had won his second NC in as many years at the helm, and had managed to preserve his winning streak.

GO GATORS!!

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CaneResurrection — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:04:19 -0000

The Canes out talented the opposition during Cokers first two years. He was outcoached in the OSU game, and we still damn near won that one. How's Tressel done against the speed of southern teams since? Shannon is a players coach in the area of players can come to him with their problems, but Shannon does not put up with the bullshit. Shannon's input on the FIU brawl was to kick every player involved off of the team. It was Coker who allowed them to stay.

Every team has their ignorant fans (which really makes up the majority), Florida is no different. Actually, UGA leads the nation in that area. Go to ESPN's blog and tell me there aren't alot of Gator fans who act like Leak didn't exist. I've seen enough of your posts to know you don't fall in that category, but all I hear about Tebow is HE won 2 NC's. That first one belonged to Leak. I seem to remember ALOT of backlash against Leak when Tebow came on board. Leak was the better man for the starting job when Tebow was a freshman. tebow was perfect at the time for what he was brought in to do.... run behind the right guard. Never quite figured out how nobody else caught on.

I didn't say Zook was as good a coach as Meyer, just asaying it's hard not to be successful with a Tebow in the backfield.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

TampaGator — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:45:58 -0000

"...UF fans, remember Chris Leak? Why do y'all try to airbrush him from history?..."

Kindly refrain from imputing your own ignorance to UF. Gator Nation is, has been, and always will be, deeply grateful to Chris Leak for his contribution to our FB program. Where the hell you get this ridiculous notion that he's being "airbrushed" or whatever, is beyond comprehension; just some BS concoction by Gator haters. Leak is beloved in Gator Nation. Deal with it.

As for Zook winning a NC--right. Gators on his watch more often times than not, sputtered out by the end of the game. He was and is a players' coach; doesn't have the stomach to push his players to get the most out of them, and therefore doesn't have it in him to coach a champion. I liked Zook alot, but truth is truth. Meyer has 2 nc's in 3 years, because he gets the most out of his players. Zook is great at getting talented players to sign on, but not at getting them to play to their potential.

Coker may not be Butch Davis, but then neither is Randy Shannon. RS, like Zook, is a player's coach. B/t/w: Coker did one thing that Davis did not; he sealed the deal.

In fact, he sealed the deal 1.99 times! ;)

GO GATORS!!

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

TampaGator — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:36:03 -0000

Cane305:

Every major CFB following, including Gators and canes, is comprised of more non-students/alumni than students and alums. In maimi's case, most of Cane Nation is in So Fla--within an hour's drive. Yet even after 5 NC's in the last 25 years, all that good will built up, they can't motivate a consistent attendance to the stadium--among a 4+ mil pop. base. Pathetic.

...and please spare me the "...so much to do in Miami" excuse. Miami is part of the state of FL; add what to do in Miami to everything else to do in FLorida, and that's what the Gators compete with, PLUS, additional drive time.

b/t/w: you alluded to it--if not stepped right in it--but many Gators make the trek from Miami to G'ville to catch a Gator FB game. That's almost 6 hours of driving. (...LOYALTY....).

As for enjoying the run; of course we will, and we're not naive enough to think it will last forever. Here's the bottom line though: when UF becomes mediocre again, the Swamp will be filled with LOYAL Gators supporting their team...

...and even IF Miami does make it back, they'll still be relying on marquee opponents to sell out their (rented) home stadium.

2 questions for you:

1.) "Burdine Stadium"? Is that the newest name for Joe Robbie/Dolphin Stadium? Hadn't heard it, if it is [EDIT: DON'T WORRY; I LOOKED IT UP].

2.) Why would Larry Coker chop off his big toe in the middle of a marathon????? (i.e.--cut Art Kehoe, et. al., from his staff)

GO GATORS!!

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CaneResurrection — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:29:03 -0000

It is a different situation, but Shannon is following the same blueprint. The blueprint that Coker abandoned and landed us in the shape we were in 3 years ago.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

Wardboy3 — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:02:38 -0000

I don't know of many people who compare Shannon to Davis. I sure didn't. For one thing the situtation is totally different. When Davis came in Miami was on probation & had reduced scholarships...Shannon is not facing that battle

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

Wardboy3 — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:58:25 -0000

I see you have to nothing to come back on that is why once again you just have to say that I am the ignorant one. Good one?!?! :|

You tried to make the arguement that there isn't any money when there is. Your arguement is weak.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CaneResurrection — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:36:09 -0000

"You outsiders/rivals were laughing your asses off this time ten years ago and we saw how that played out. You were also talking the same garbage about Butch Davis that you are about Randy Shannon. First time head coach with Miami ties. Defensive minded guy who couldn't manage a game, but could recruit. Y'all stuck a fork in Miami and thought UCF would be the new third state power.

Once the talent returned, Miami dominated. We'll see how far Miami rebounds, but the talent level will be too great by 2010 to not have the Canes back on the map. You're a fool if you think otherwise. "

These Florida fans are about to find out. Me and my buddy were just talking about this yesterday. He's an FSU fan, and we were saying how much college football has changed since our two schools were dominating every year. NOBODY WILL DOMINATE EVERY YEAR ANYMORE. Those days are over. Yes, UF has one 2 in three years, but had a 3 or 4 loos season sandwiched in there. A team can be consistently good year in and year out, but can't dominate every single year. UF will have another stellar year this year, but next year will tell a tale. Tebow will be gone, and it will seriously hurt the Gators. It's no knock on Meyer's ability, no matter how good of a recruiter you are, YOU DON'T JUST REPLACE A TIM TEBOW. There's just not another one out there. We'll be on the upswing while UF is scrambling to replace the greatest player in their programs history.

As far as Coker is concerned, and the talk of him being out Ron Zook. UF would have benn successful with Zook, perhaps just as successful. Meyer's first NC came with Zooks players. UF fans, remember Chris Leak? Why do y'all try to airbrush him from history? That first NC was his, more so than Tebow's. Who's to say that Zook couldn't do the same thing if he had Tebow. Ain't he doing the same thing on a lesser scale with Juice Williams? This is not a knock on Meyer, he is a hell of a coach. I just thinknZook and Leak get a raw deal. Coker destroyed the program. Yes he had highly ranked recrruiting classes, lots of 4 and 5 star players from all over the country. But remember, a 3 star from Florida equals a 5 star from, say Kansas. That's how every coach since Schnellenbuger has done it, until Coker. Santana Moss caught one pass as a senior in high school, but Davis recognized a ballplayer when he saw one, Coker didn't. All Coker saw was rankings. 6'3 210 lbs. makes a 5 star wideout, but it don't make a ballplayer. Meyer knows this, he has an eye for talent, but like I said before, we'll see how this plays out without Tebow. He is the difference between UF and the rest of the SEC, they'll catch up once he's gone.

Sorry, I know i got to rambling.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

U.of S.C.1978 — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 06:05:23 -0000

I suspect a lot of small schools would never have considered Coker, because they would not have expected him to be interested. You know you are biased. You also can't be sure that he has not been contacted in the past. One or two "not interested"s, could have stopped others from asking.

."I knew that I wanted to get back in coaching after I left Miami," Coker told the Express-News. "But it would have to be the right opportunity at a school with the right leadership. I see that at UTSA. I think it's a school with great potential. Another plus is that San Antonio is a great city."

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CB — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:49:23 -0000

I see where the opp would interest Coker, but you're missing my point. If the guy is worth his weight, why is HE contacting UTSA and throwing his hat in the ring? Why aren't schools contacting him? Think of how many smaller jobs have opened the past few years and no one even attempted to call Larry Coker, when he's spent the past few years in the ESPN U booth basically lobbying for any head coaching gig, yet never getting the call?

Tells you all you need to know. Dude was a hack head coach, but a pretty decent offensive coordinator. His 35-3 to 25-12 run was all anyone needed to see.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CB — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:47:14 -0000

Champ, when you're out there making several million a year and you're donating a big chunk of it back to your alma mater, get back to me. Don't give me some b.s. hypothetical about what you WOULD do IF you had the cash. Please.

My off the cuff comment about Miami's NFLers salaries was off base, but yours is equally as ignorant. Who are you to determine how much someone SHOULD donate when you know nothing about their personal life, family situation/helping family members, financial woes, bad investments, etc. Don't talk about what you "would" do. Talk about what you DO do.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CB — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 02:43:18 -0000

Strong argument regarding the budget, Gator. A few areas you're off, though:

The Orange Bowl wasn't built for the University of Miami. It was built as a football stadium to be used by the city. The Canes eventually played there, but Burdine Stadium isn't to UM what The Swamp is to UF -- a football stadium built on a college campus.

You also miss the point regarding Miami fans and alum. Miami has 9,000 undergrads and gets anywhere from 35,000-65,000 in the stands. Do the math. That's stellar fan support.

Again, Miami is a private school. Small student body. Big time city/not a college town. Full of transplants and alum of other universities. Again, more UF and FSU alum in Miami than UM alum.

Many locals adopted The U as their college and root for the Canes the way they do the Dolphins. That said, how many Miami natives are there these days, versus transplants with loyalties elsewhere? They don't have the same ties to the program an alum or lifelong fan does -- nor should they be expected to.

As for empty seats, what'd you see "coming a mile away"? Please. Miami had 31,000 in the stands during the 2001 title run when Temple came to town. Miami isn't Gainesville. The entertainment dollar goes a wee bit further than football on Saturday. I lived in Gainesville for two years and was bored to tears.

Your comments on Coker versus Davis are absolutely moronic.

In 2000 Miami lost an early season game at Washington by six points and went 11-1 on the year. It was Ken Dorsey's first road trip and fifth career start.

Miami went on to beat #1 Florida State, #2 Virginia Tech and #7 Florida. A year later the BCS changes its rule regarding the weight of head-to-head competition, which would've put 2000 Miami in the title game against Oklahoma, instead of the Florida State team they already beat.

Coker almost blew Miami's final two games, needing a miracle at Boston College and a dropped two-point conversion at Virginia Tech. Davis' Canes dropped #1, #2 and #7 in 2000. Much rougher road and more impressive wins.

You outsiders/rivals were laughing your asses off this time ten years ago and we saw how that played out. You were also talking the same garbage about Butch Davis that you are about Randy Shannon. First time head coach with Miami ties. Defensive minded guy who couldn't manage a game, but could recruit. Y'all stuck a fork in Miami and thought UCF would be the new third state power.

My "blind faith" in Shannon? Please. I've followed this program my entire life and I've forgotten more about Shannon than you'd know in ten lifetimes.

Larry Coker was a first time clown who inherited the best team in Miami history. He went 35-3 with Davis' talent and from that point, 25-12. His teams got worse as time marched on and he proved he wasn't head coaching material. You quote his winning percentage, but again I ask if this guy is such a gem, why has he been on his ass in the booth since 2007 and how come he's begging for a gig with a nobody university?

Conversely, Randy Shannon inherited the worst Miami team since the late 70s. Schnellenberger. Johnson. Erickson. Davis. All left for greener pastures and better gigs. Coker was the first Miami coach fired since Carl Selmer three decades earlier.

You seem like a fairly knowledgeable individual. Do the math. Look at the decline that happened on Coker's watch. Look at the inability to recruit/develop talent, as well as the inability to build a staff. Miami didn't get bad overnight and won't be rebuilt overnight.

Shannon has reeled in two very solid classes and finally has what looks like the best coaching staff of his short tenure. Three years into this, Shannon should make some strides... That said, 1-2 more classes are needed before Miami is "back".

Enjoy you run, sweetie. College football is cyclical and what goes up always comes down. We've seen it before and we'll see it again.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

U.of S.C.1978 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 18:11:30 -0000

There seem to be no UTSA football fans here, That's probably because they don't even have a TEAM, and will not until 2011. I'll be their advocate. C'mon guys, the Roadrunners don't even have a football team yet!!! Who could be better than any Coach with national name recognition, to get the program off the ground? I would like to see Coach Coker back in the game. I can see where a ground up opportunity would interest him.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

TampaGator — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:49:03 -0000

UF's students have to work for their money; Miami's just have to ask for their Trustee for a disbursement (or ask thier mumums and Daddies).

Furthermore, there are 4+ million people in the greater Miami area (i.e.--less than 1 hour driving time from Dolphin stadium (or the OB; take your pick)); there are less than 1/4 million within same driving distance from Florida Field.

Why are so many more people willing to drive so much further to catch a Gator game--even in a bad year--than are willing to catch a 'cane game, in a great year???

Two words: Fan Loyalty.

GO GATORS!!

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

Wardboy3 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:42:54 -0000

Damn...I was trying to be nice to him. :)

I was expecting you to throw that last game at the Orange Bowl out there...but I guess that would be too mean.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

War_Eagle_Atlanta — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:36:36 -0000

With Miami's athletic budget at $60M and only 9,000 students, that's $6666 per student. Florida's budget is $85M with 51,000 students, or $1666 per...

You guys better pick up the pace...

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

Wardboy3 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:18:46 -0000

I give you on the Buck Ortega not giving back but if you take the top 10 earners in 2008 & they donated just 1% it would still be $1.16 million. If they gave 5% $5.8 million.

Why is it on former players to give back? It is not necessarily on players to give back but if the U wants to claim that they are "family" at the U (just like what you said) and the "family" is starting to struggle, then why not?

You stated above that Shannon can't get the staff that he wants "due to Miami's financial situation", and they are busing it to Tampa & Orlando to save money.

Just from my point of view...and my point of view ONLY...if I was SO PROUD of being from the U, I could get some of my "family" members who are doing OK and scramble up some $ to give back to the university that helped me get into the position that I am in to earn the paycheck that i currently make. Do you not think if the top 10 earners in the NFL gave just 5% of their 2008 income, which would be $5.8 million, that Shannon would be able to assemble the staff he wanted AND they would still be able to take the charters?

When you respond back to what I said earlier with a comment like this:"Florida has an athletic budget upwards of $85,000,000 this year. Can you even comprehend that number? Every Miami player in the NFL could donate his entire annual salary and it still wouldn't reach half that."
I have to question everything you say b/c half of $85 million is $42.5 million and that amount was surpassed by just Bryant McKinnie, Ray Lewis, & Reggie Wayne. And in case you couldn't figure it out all of the Miami players 2008 salary is 2.3 times LARGER than Floridas budget.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

TampaGator — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:14:05 -0000

Sweet bettina, son....

...you're wrong on so many points, I don't even know where to begin.

1. Let's start with UM's "shoe string" budget--it's $60,000,000.00; that's $25M less than UF's '08, sure, but only about $9Mil less than UF's in '06 (call it dividends on 2 NC's in 3 years).

2. UAA (U(F)AA) is a private non-profit organization founded in 1929. Although a "non-profit" for IRS purposes, it is very profitable and self-sustatining. It has donated over $40 mil to UF over the last 15 years or so. Get it? The money flows from UAA to UF; not from UF to UAA. In other words...NO!!!--the Gators do not depend on, rely on, or othewise "use" Florida Tax dollars; they help alleviate the school's operating bugdet by contributing to the income side of the equation.

In other words, UAA SAVES Florida Tax dollars.

b/t/w: I mentioned the the year it was established, because it is historically significant. The UAA was founded AFTER the stock market crash that ushered in the Great Depression. When they set out to break ground for the new stadium, the State was too broke to help out, due to the dpression, so a private entity was formed to raise the funds. "...$187,000.00, 120 men, and 87 mules..." built the original structure for the stadium known as "Florida Field", later renamed Ben Hill Griffin Stadium AT FL Field, due to Mr. Griffin's PRIVATE contributions (the original sturcture remains; the additons have been added to it).

Private money, chief. NOT tax dollars.

B/T/W: The Orange Bowl was built with tax dollars, buddy--albeit City of Miami tax money, rather than St/FL's....and, just for kicks: FSU's BB field at Doak-Cambell, required FL tax dollars.

Three: Miami's budget is hurting, because the City of Miami, South Florida, and all those proud members of Cane Nation--DON'T SUPPORT THEIR TEAM!!! Watching Miami FB this year was excrutiating. Why? Because of all the ORANGE seats of DOLPHIN STADIUM--which were not covered up by people. ( What an embarrasment--though I saw that one coming a mile away, when they crumbled the OB). In other words, Miami FB sucks, because Miami's fans suck--out loud!!

Four: Coker was a solid coach; his recruiting classes were solid. In fact, he did what Butch Davis could NOT do, with Davis' players; take over the edge (frankly, IMO, the '00 class was better than the '01 class; they had Dan Morgan, among others; yet Davis couldn't seal the deal, while Coker was able to). UM got what it wanted; they got what they deserved....and contrary to your supposition, we (outsiders/rivals) are laughing our asses off, as UM tries try to re-build its program from the rubble they made of it, all by their lonesome--not wishing UM would've kept Coker.... And the most entertaining part? The "...If you can't blame George Bush, blame Larry Coker...." mentality that dominates at UM!

Five: Randy Shannon is going no where, but slowly out the door. Your blind faith in Shannon is commendable--but ill placed. You mock Coker's experience (only HC of a HS); while dismissing his accomplishments (NC on his resume, 80% winning...), then apply no such scruting to Shannon. What's his experience?

Why does Coker get chastized for Miami getting lit up like a Christmas tree against LSU, and all those other horrible losses suffered on his clock, but not his defensive coordinator at the time (Randy Shannon)? Can you say...."double standard?"

R. Shannon is HC at Miami for 2 simple reasons: 1, so he wouldn't be DC for someone else; and 2, because he's CHEAP.

I could go on, but I'll just leave it at that....

GO GATORS!!

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

War_Eagle_Atlanta — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:12:50 -0000

Great argument--if you assume that only alumni go to football games...

Your argument that Miami is so small a school is exactly why I'd argue that they have the biggest bandwagon in all of CFB--save Notre Dame, of course. But if their fans aren't in the socio-economic class that buys tickets, perhaps a cozier on-campus facility that seats around 40,000 might be a better fit...

You're way off on your enrollment numbers for UNC, FSU and VT. You made me look.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CB — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:47:49 -0000

Ward - OK, you're right on the salary... but again, why is it on former players to pick up the slack? They all have families, they all give to charities and most of them in some way, shape or form already DO give back to Miami.

If you add up what U of Miami alum give back to the program, I promise you it dwarves what other school's alum give back to their respective programs.

There is no college football 'family' like the one at Miami and it's pretty bush league to knock these guys for not giving back more when many of them give six to seven figures a year.

NFL careers aren't that long for most of these guys and all of them aren't high paid superstars. How many more years are Ken Dorsey, Buck Ortega, Darrell McClover, Brett Romberg, Rashad Butler, etc. collecting a check? If you're making $445K a year, after taxes what are they really going to give back to the program? The clock is ticking for guys like that. They need every dime they're gonna make.

Clinton Portis. Edgerrin James. Guys like that give back and give back a ton.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

Wardboy3 — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:37:56 -0000

You are wrong. Every Miami player in the NFL in 2008 salary totaled $202,983,768. That includes base salary, signing bonus (paid in 2008) and any other bonuses.

I understand the undergrads & so on & so forth but to claim there is no money is just BS.

Player Base Salary Sign Bonus Other Bonus Total Salary
McKinnie, Bryant $3,250,000 $13,500,000 $500,000 $17,250,000
Wayne, Reggie $3,500,000 $12,500,000 $660,000 $16,660,000
Lewis, Ray $6,500,000 $10,000,000 $240 $16,500,240
Portis, Clinton $605,000 $9,325,500 $504,440 $10,434,940
McGahee, Willis $605,000 $7,500,000 $600 $8,105,600
Reed, Ed $605,000 $7,500,000 $240 $8,105,240
James, Edgerrin $5,000,000 $7,000,000 $250,840 $12,250,840
Johnson, Andre $2,825,000 $6,500,000 $1,850,000 $11,175,000
Gore, Frank $2,562,000 $6,500,000 $100,000 $9,162,000
Winston, Eric $445,000 $6,000,000 $6,720 $6,451,720
Hester, Devin $445,000 $5,000,000 $47,500 $5,492,500
Lewis, Damione $730,000 $3,250,000 $100,000 $4,080,000
Shockey, Jeremy $1,925,000 $3,000,000 $500,000 $5,425,000
Wilfork, Vince $1,400,000 $3,000,000 $4,680 $4,404,680
Beason, Jon $870,000 $3,000,000 $247,900 $4,117,900
Myers, Chris $850,000 $3,000,000 $6,720 $3,856,720
Phillips, Kenny $295,000 $2,530,000 $555,000 $3,380,000
Moss, Santana $730,000 $2,520,000 $0 $3,250,000
Carey, Vernon $2,570,000 $2,300,000 $1,360,000 $6,230,000
Buchanon, Phillip $1,905,000 $2,000,000 $253,360 $4,158,360
McIntosh, Rocky $445,000 $1,820,000 $1,165,000 $3,430,000
Campbell, Calais $295,000 $1,200,000 $0 $1,495,000
Parrish, Roscoe $520,000 $1,100,000 $3,451,080 $5,071,080
Franks, Bubba $730,000 $795,000 $125,000 $1,650,000
Feagles, Jeff $1,000,000 $725,000 $103,480 $1,828,480
Moss, Sinorice $445,000 $700,000 $398,240 $1,543,240
Gooden, Tavares $295,000 $610,100 $0 $905,100
Dorsey, Ken $605,000 $500,000 $180,000 $1,285,000
Meriweather, Brandon $370,000 $500,000 $1,029,200 $1,899,200
Butler, Rashad $445,000 $479,750 $6,720 $931,470
Williams, Leon $445,000 $450,000 $1,920 $896,920
Atkins, Baraka $370,000 $432,500 $5,160 $807,660
Olsen, Greg $370,000 $250,000 $683,518 $1,303,518
McClover, Darrell $520,000 $75,000 $4,800 $599,800
Romberg, Brett $605,000 $40,000 $4,680 $649,680
Vilma, Jonathan $4,097,500 $0 $100,000 $4,197,500
Winslow, Kellen $4,000,000 $0 $1,607,500 $5,607,500
Rolle, Antrel $1,210,000 $0 $1,560 $1,211,560
McDougle, Jerome $1,000,000 $0 $0 $1,000,000
Williams, D.J. $850,000 $0 $25,000 $875,000
Webster, Nate $780,000 $0 $650,000 $1,430,000
Joseph, William $705,000 $0 $245,000 $950,000
Davenport, Najeh $605,000 $0 $0 $605,000
Jackson, James $540,000 $0 $0 $540,000
Jennings, Kelly $445,000 $0 $295,160 $740,160
Berlin, Brock $370,000 $0 $5,160 $375,160
Thomas, Santonio $370,000 $0 $0 $370,000
Ortega, Buck $295,000 $0 $0 $295,000

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CB — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:22:20 -0000

Exactly, CaneResurrection. I also love when the play the 'attendance card'. Florida fans love that one, yet fail to do the math.

If you have 9,000 undergrads and are getting 36K for UNC, 46K for VTech and 65K for FSU.... that's anywhere from 4x to 7x the student body.

There are more Florida and Florida State alum in Dade and Broward Counties than there are Miami alum. Most Miami alum isn't from Miami and doesn't stick around after graduation and most Miami fans are transplants to the city who have adopted the team the same way they did the Dolphins. They don't have the same ties to the program one would as a proud alum.

If Florida has 50K undergrads and packs about 90K in the Swamp on a Saturday and Miami has 9K undergrads and is getting upwards of 40K to 65K fans in the stands on Saturday, can anyone REALLY say that there are attendance issues at Miami? Please. For a small private school with a small student body, The U is very well represented at home in fall.

Problem is when you're as successful as The U, so many ignorant outsiders are clueless. I can't tell you how many people I've talked to over the years that are shocked to (1) find out The U is a private school and (2) that the student body is as small as it is.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CaneResurrection — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 15:12:53 -0000

These people like to think we are on an even playing field with all the other universities. They can't stand the fact that we've done alot more with alot less than their schools. The knowlegable fans can't even throw the Thug U moniker at us anymore. High grad rates, low disciplinary problems, low funding, all we have to do is start back winning and we'll be like teflon. Nothing will stick.

Re: The return of... Larry Coker?

CB — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 13:41:00 -0000

Exactly. Randy has his dream job. The only time he ever left south Florida was to play for the Dallas Cowboys in the late 80s/early 90s. From there, it was back to Miami, where he's worked for The U and the Dolphins, under Jimmy Johnson.

If Randy gets the job done, there's no reason he can't have Miami doing what Southern Cal is doing out west. The programs are mirror images of each other.

Thirty years ago Howard Schnellenberger said he wanted Miami to be the USC of the east. Earlier this decade Pete Carroll said he wanted USC to be the Miami of the west. These days, the pendulum has swung again and it's Shannon who is emulating what USC is doing... same way Howard did three decades ago.