Olsen leavin'? We hardly knew ye...

Rumors are swirling that Greg Olsen is NFL bound after the bowl game and won't even stick around to find out who the next Miami head coach will be.

Part of me doesn't blame Olsen. If I were 6'5" and an athletic 252 lbs. I too would be frustrated with my lack of production in the Miami offense. Though there's still a bowl game in a few weeks, Olson currently has 38 receptions this season and one touchdown; the late, garbage score against Georgia Tech in a 30-23 loss.

The past two seasons weren't much better. In 2005, Olsen had a mere 31 receptions for 451 yards and four touchdowns. He replaced Kellen Winslow II in 2004, splitting time with Kevin Everett and only had 16 receptions for 275 yards and one touchdown, which came in the thrilling 41-38 victory against Louisville.

Over the past three seasons, Olsen has seen two different offensive coodinators and three different quarterbacks. Not exactly the consistency this Notre Dame transfer was looking for when he bailed the Irish a few years back.

NFL teams literally salivate over athletic tight ends. Tony Gonzalez started the trend and Miami its part sending guys like Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey and K2 to the league. Since their arrival, guys like Antonio Gates and Heath Miller have also emerged. Some team out there is ripe and ready for a kid like Olsen to show up and get it done.

He'll test his Draft status in the coming weeks and if Olsen is a sure second rounder, I believe he's gonzo - even though he's done little during his time at The U. Crazy to think that a good showing at the combine is almost as meaningful as four good years as a starter...

Olsen is 21 years old and after three years at Miami, I can appreciate his frustration. He couldn't have picked a worse time to head to The U as the Canes' offense has been an abomination these past four seasons. Not exactly the "Dorsey to Shockey" or "Dorsey to Winslow" scenarios he envisioned when transferring to Miami.

That said, I hope he doesn't rush this decision. He can be an impact player at the next level, but why not at least keep those options open until you know who the next Hurricanes head coach will be?

Sure, a guy like Frank Gore was a third round pick and is blowing it up with the 49ers right now but Gore couldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. With three ACL injuries and a diabetic mother in need of care, Gore literally had to take the money and run. Blow it up (like he is) and get that big pay day when renegotiating a few years down the road.

Olsen doesn't have that same type of pressure. He can afford another year in school, honing in on his craft. Especially if Miami lands a pass-happy head coach who utilizes the tight end. Olsen could stick around and play himself into the first round for big time money and have an immediate impact like Shockey and Miller have.

I can certainly understand the temptation those NFL dollars provide, but #82 needs to realize that day is coming, be it April 2007 or 2008. Don't rush the decision. Wait and see who Miami chooses to take over this program.

We're talking second or third round money versus first round money. You're only an NFL Draft pick once and careers only last so long. Test the waters? Sure. But there's no reason for a rash decision.

Especially if Miami gets an offensive guy in the mix. Olsen could be a household name and first round by the 2008 Draft if he plays his cards right. Right now, physique alone gets him no more than late second round/early third round money.


.:Canes305:.

No Limit Schiano Hold 'Em...

I'm really curious to see how things play out with Greg Schiano. This thing has more suspense and drama built in than all of last year's Hollywood blockbusters combined.

The Larry Coker Era ended just under a week ago and not much has come out of New Jersey other than Schiano pledging his allegiance to his current program.

I've seen a lot of message board action this week where fans of all shapes and sizes are rambling on about this current situation. Many are saying Schiano won't leave RU and others are quick to cut and paste his recent quotes, in an attempt to build their argument.

It's amazing how many don't understand the business side of all this. Come on now Scarlet Knights. Your one-loss season is impressive, as is the fact that you're one tough win away from an Orange Bowl berth. That said, we're still Miami and you're still Rutgers.

The U is where coaches come to win titles and make their careers. Win five National Championships, out 20+ first round Draft picks in the league over a six year span, do something to change your 0-11 record against Miami and then get back to us.

Good God, are we really trading smack talk with Rutgers fans?

Back to the point. College football is big business and with Rutgers one win away from a BCS berth, Schiano would be a moron to talk about the coaching vacancies at Miami and other big time programs. For what? Right now, it's all about RU. He's busy game-planning for a road trip to West Virginia. He's coming up with a defensive scheme to stop the Mountaineers' Pat White and Steve Slaton.

The man is strategizing for the biggest game in his coaching career. Right now he's not concerned with where he'll be coaching in 2007, yet some folks are hanging on to every canned answer which comes out of his mouth as long as it backs their stance on the Schiano situation.

If "Schiano to Miami" has any legs, you're not going to hear a peep about it until a week from now. Nothing. Zilch. Nada. For what? Why would he even "go there" with all he currently has on his plate?

My opinion has wavered on Schiano returning to The U. Right now, I believe he's Miami's best option. He was part of the family, he knows the culture and he recruits South Florida like a madman. Anyone who wants to discredit the job he's done at Rutgers? They've obviously forgotten how bad that program once was.

A few years back Rutgers and Temple were synonymous and now they're a contender. That's unheard of. Rutgers knocked themselves out of the title hunt with a loss at Cincinnati, but the fact they were even IN the title hunt is amazing in its own right. Should Rutgers knock off West Virginia this weekend and end the regular season with one-loss, Schiano should be coach of the year.

I know the job Jim Grobe has done at Wake Forest, but if Schiano can knock off Louisville and West Virginia in the same season, he's got my vote.

My question to the blog enthusiasts here... do you think this weekend's game at West Virginia will make a difference in Schiano's decision? Play out both scenarios. A win in Morgantown puts RU in the Orange Bowl and has optimism riding high for 2007. A loss will end Cinderella's run and puts the Scarlet Knights in a lesser bowl. Will a BCS berth make Schiano feel he's on the brink of greatness and that he can accomplish more there? Or will he know he's hit the ceiling and that it's all downhill from there?

Conversely, if Rutgers falls short of the BCS berth, does that convince him to return in 2007 to finish the job his team couldn't take care of this year?

Right now, I don't think we have a clue what Schiano is thinking. As I wrote a few weeks back, I haven't heard a coach deny these types of coaching rumors since Butch Davis fawned over his gig at Miami and bailed weeks later for Cleveland. There are uncharted waters for Schiano. What does he want as an up and coming 40-year old coach? How high does he want to climb regarding the coaching ladder?

Is he on the fast track or is he content to hang around Rutgers for a while, either building them up or waiting for the Penn State job to open? Many talk about Schiano's wife (Christy) not being a fan of South Florida, but what does that really mean? She married a coach. Bouncing around is part of the job description. She knows what she got into the day she said "I do" and it's a safe bet the Schiano family will move a half dozen times between now and the day he retires.

A 3 to 4 year stint at The U is a career-changer. Even the most diehard Rutgers enthusiast has to see that. Can Schiano really afford to turn Miami down?

We should know in the coming week. Stay tuned!


.:Canes305:.

Jimmy extends a helping hand...

With all the negative press about the Miami coaching vacancy, it's nice to see someone in the mainstream sticking up for the program.

Jimmy Johnson went on record recently as saying he's been in touch with Miami pres Donna Shalala and that he'd do anything in his power to help The U in their search for a new head coach. Johnson almost seems out to "prove" that the Miami gig hasn't lost any appeal and wants to remind the college football community that the Canes won't have to do much to get back in the title hunt.

"They're very close," said Johnson. "With all the adversity and distractions, they could have very easily won three or four more games, which would have been a decent season. Without question, this is a great job. UM will always attract talent, and the administration and president Shalala are fully committed to getting back on the right track. There are good, young players there. Someone will come in and make an immediate impact.'"

Thanks for the ringing endorsement, J.J. No one knows this situation better than you. The Miami program made Johnson a household name. Before that, he was just a guy from Oklahoma State who was taking a cush job many wanted to see handed over to former assistant, Tom Olivodatti.

Johnson left Miami a champion and went on to win two Super Bowl rings with the Dallas Cowboys a few years later.

He and Shalala have spoken twice recently and his message is simple; he wants to help in any way, shape or form. J.J. has oft expressed his love for the University of Miami and still gets choked up when talking about what a special time that was in his life and career.

Johnson has no desire to coach again, but stated he does have contacts and would like to help. It's now on Miami's top brass to decide if they want Johnson's input, or not.

Is Randy Shannon a legit candidate?

Does Randy Shannon really have a shot at being Miami's next head coach? It depends who you ask. Paul Dee certainly thinks so.Reports out of Miami today are that Shannon is getting serious consideration for the top spot.

Personally, I don't see it happening UNLESS all of The U's other options result in dead ends. I think the top brass is throwing Shannon's name in the mix in an effort to hedge their bets.

Miami has been candid in stating that Greg Schiano is their first choice, but right now it seems a 50/50 shot he winds up at The U. The Steve Spurrier chatter of a few weeks back has quieted, leading many to believe this was just another Internet rumor and possibly an effort to force South Carolina to renegotiate his contract.

Other names are being thrown around and rumors of the week? Jim Grobe of Wake Forest. Bob Stoops of Oklahoma. Steve Kragthorpe of Tulsa. Even recently fired Mike Shula of Alabama was mentioned in an article this morning.

All of this should be expected in a slow media week and one where several programs are prepping for conference title games or season finales. Answering questions and showing interest regarding coaching vacancies isn't a top priority for these coaches right now.

Miami will have their man nailed down sometime between next week and just before the bowl game.

As this master list is complied, Shannon should be a part of it. Especially when thinking about the worst case scenarios. Should Miami be turned down by the aforementioned coaches, the only worse situation for the program would be watching Shannon get lured away during the hunt.

I personally don't believe Miami wants to promote from within again, but they also can't let Shannon head across town to FIU or to another ACC program. Shannon is a hell of a recruiter and he knows South Florida like the back of his hand. With Butch Davis at North Carolina, Schiano succeeding at Rutgers and the NC State gig opening up, the Canes can't lose an uber-recruiter with South Florida ties.

Davis, Schiano and Shannon all recruiting South Florida for other programs other than Miami would be disastrous.

If Miami hires a defensive-minded coach like Schiano, obviously Shannon will hit the road in search of a new gig. But if the Canes were to bring in an offense-minded leader, the new could retain the 2001 Frank Broyles Award Winner for top assistant.

Yet another interesting sub plot in the search for the next great Miami coach.

Personally, I don't think Miami will go with Shannon, but it's smart business to theoretically put him a top their wish list with Schiano. After conference championship weekend passes, there will be several universities looking to replace their head coach. Miami. Alabama. NC State. Arizona State. Big time programs looking to land big time guys.

For Miami to not get "their guy" would be tragic. The only thing worse would be losing Shannon in the process. Especially to an ACC rival.


.:Canes305:.

Canes training regimen in Men's Health...

With all this talk about Miami's facilities, it prompted me to go back and look up a recent article in Men's Health magazine.

In September 2006, The Rock was on the cover and there was a spread about Miami alum in the NFL who return to train at The U.

For those who have the mag, it's on pages 162-168 or click here to check it out online.

Pete Williams' article talked about the Canes who return every off-season to train on their old stomping grounds. It focuses on how they root each other on, push their former teammates to work harder and how current strength and conditioning coach Andreu Swasey (pictured left) gets down and dirty, training with them.

For those too lazy to read the article, here are some highlights from the day Williams spent at The U's training facility last spring:

>>> 6:25am on a late April morning and you have former teammates Frank Gore and Jon Vilma training intensely with Swasey.

"I understand where the Jets are coming from, but I've always gotten a good workout down here," says Vilma. "This is what took me to the NFL."

>>> By 7:00 am the lot is filling up. Within minutes over twenty former Canes and current NFLers are on campus to train. Even though their Miami playing days are over, they still line up and listen to Swasey as he barks comments. In this case, it's 100-yard wind sprints.

After six sprints, players are gassed by nobody takes a knee. In Swasey's world, the only "acceptable posture" is hands on hips. No bending over or showing fatigue.

>>> While training, Reggie Wayne shows Williams his "U" tattoo on his arm.

"Look at this. It's like our own fraternity, our brand. When you get that tat, you've made it. You're a brother. You've been through the blood, sweat and tears," said Indianapolis' top-notch receiver.

>>> By 10:30am, the parking lot looks like an exotic car show. Santana Moss rolls up in his Redskins' colored Mercedes S550 the same time D.J. Williams parks his BMW 760Li. Further proof that if you want to get paid in the NFL, The U is a helluva stepping stone.

>>> Other notable names usually seen on campus but not around today? Ed Reed. Clinton Portis. Bubba Franks. Willis McGahee. Jeremy Shockey. Even Miami native Alex Rodriguez trains at The U instead of in New York with the Yankees.

>>> Edgerrin James sets up shop in the middle of the room next to Wayne, his former Colts teammate. Wayne is training with Moss while James and Williams and spotting each other. James is trash-talking a bit with Kenard Lang. They're talking smack about a late season match up between their two new teams, Arizona and Denver.

"That's a warm-up set, right?" Lang deadpans. "Please tell me that's a warm-up set. You'd better do more than that if you want to get by me coming around the corner."

"I'll just stiff-arm your ass," James quips back.

>>> When asked why he trains at Miami, James answered: "They are my fuel source. I goes back to being around successful people, having those healthy habits and doing the things it takes to maintain success."

"If I'm around Reggie Wayne, Clinton Portis or Santana Moss, we look at each other eye-to-eye. They're not going to suck up to me and I'm not going to suck up to them."

>>> The session ends by 1:00pm and will resume the next morning. On his way out, Wayne tells the writer, "We'll be ready. Teams are always waiting to see what kind of condition you're in. If you're in bad shape, be expected to stay in town next summer. But as long as I'm with Coach Swasey, I know I'm going to be in phenomenal shape."

>>> Want to "Train Like a Cane" then click here and check out the Swasey Workout online.

>>> The Canes305 Message to future Miami recruits? Reread this article and decide what drives you. Do you want to be a part of this legacy or are you going to let ESPN reports about "run down facilities" sway you from being the next Hurricane great?


.:Canes305:.

Damn The Facilities!

Miami's facilities suck. Did you get the memo? ESPN made much ado about it during last week's televised 17-14 win over Boston College and since then, every member of the sports media community has ranted and raved about how dilapidated and run down things are inside the walls of The U.

The photo above was taken in the supposedly "run down" Hurricane Strength and Conditioning Complex at the Hecht Athletic Center. The 11,500-square foot facility is barely five years old and is double the size of the old weight room.

It's stocked with the latest in strength and conditioning equipment and is the focal point of Miami's annual NFL Pro Timing Day each spring.

In the off-season, it's a who's who of the NFL. Former Canes show up in droves to work out here. Santana. Sinorice. Edgerrin. Reed. Vilma. Gore. McGahee. Wayne. D.J. Parrish. Kenard. Clinton. Ray-Ray. Bubba. The Playmaker. Shockey.

You name 'em, they're here - and when they show up, they usually don't come alone. Several former Canes have been known to recruit current NFL teammates to spend their off-season training in Miami at The U.

Call me crazy, but if things are so run down and in need of a facelift how come so many NFL superstars spend their time training here instead of at their respective franchise's multi-million dollar facilities? I'll tell you why. Because things aren't as bad as the media are making them out to be and in this case, a winning tradition, attitude and mindset outweight the bells and whistles.

Can Miami compete with the likes of Oregon and their facilities? Not unless a Hurricanes alum has Nike money. Literally. Swooshes and all.

Phil Knight has donated over $50M for the Autzen Stadium renovation and the most state of the art locker rooms in the sport. We're talking plasma screens at every locker and fingerprint biometric locks. This place is straight out of a science fiction movie.

But it's also home to no tradition, history or success. If you want a PlayStation 3 and a once a decade Rose Bowl birth, be a Duck. If you want to earn a ring, head to The U.

"Do you want one of these?" That's what former Miami offensive coordinator Gary Stevens would tell recruits as he extended a hand with a 1987 National Championship ring on it.

Nice locker room? Expanded stadium? Plasma TVs and high-tech fingerprint operated locks? To hell with 'em. At day's end, recruits have to ask themselves one question.

Do they want a ring?

When world class bodybuilders train, where do they go? A candy-ass health club where they hand you a plush towel and lemon-flavored water as you walk through the electric sliding door? Hell no. They get down and dirty and go to and old school gym.

Rocky III ring a bell? Stallone's character was fat and happy as the world champ. He living a cush lifestyle and was caught up in all the frills which come with being a pampered champion.

When Clubber Lang whooped his ass in that first fight, Rocky Balboa did some soul searching. If he was going to get back on top, he needed to get back to his roots. He and Apollo Creed left Philly for a gritty part of LA to train.

Down and dirty and old school, Balboa got knee-deep in it and found himself as there are no distractions when training hard and focusing on the task at hand. While this was simply a movie, people connected with the concept. Strip away all the "filler" and get down to business.

In this day and age, you can wow an 18-year old with a PS3 - but you can win him over with a proven track record. Miami has that edge over everyone else in the modern era.

Kirk Herbstreit mentioned that the Orange Bowl needed a new coat of paint. That and much more will be taken care of. $150M has been allotted by the City of Miami for a full on renovation which officially starts in 2007 an will be complete by the 2009 season opener.

Are the locker rooms as bad as people make them out to be? Hardly. The recent Football Locker Room Improvement dramatically upgraded the team's Hecht Athletic Center facility.

The project includes 105 new maple players lockers, 36" X wide X 24" deep X 88" high with stainless steel hardware and a clear coat finish; 19 maple coaches' lockers; 4 double display cabinets and an expansion to the equipment room.

Will anyone start confusing Miami's facilities with Oregon's anytime soon? Of course not. But a prettier set up for the Ducks won't make them Hurricane-like champs anytime soon, either.

Southern Cal is another program knocked for their facilities, yet it's hardly a chink in the armor of the Trojans current dynasty. Facilities also didn't stop the Canes from tallying up five titles since 1983 and a 34-game win streak between 2000-2003.

The sport's two greatest dynasties this decade and both are supposedly in the bottom 1/3 regarding their facilities.

If that doesn't tell you all this talk is blown out of proportion, nothing will.


.:Canes305:.

The Coaching Carousel goes round & round...

Welcome to the Monday after. Larry Coker was let go Friday morning and it seems to have started a trend. Three days later more coaches heads have been put on the chopping block since and it's time for Miami to make a move. The Canes are currently on the clock.

Since Friday, some other names have been let go. Dirk Koetter of Arizona State, Chuck Amato of NC State and Mike Shula from Alabama. Months ago Michigan State canned John L. Smith and North Carolina gave John Bunting the boot. I can't recall a season where more big name programs gave their head coaches the curb sandwich.

Regardless of what The U pulls off, I hope the top brass files this one under "early bird gets the worm." The Tar Heels locked Butch Davis down a few weeks back and today, the Spartans got their man, Mark Dantonio of Cincinnati. Neither would've been the case has these programs not fired Bunting and Smith during the regular season.

Miami, Arizona State, NC State and Alabama all waited until the final hour and now all have full plates going into potential bowl games and recruiting season. Regarding each scenario, there was a case to have fired Coker, Koetter, Amato and Shula down the stretch, yet all programs waited.

Kudos to Michigan State and North Carolina for doing their dirty work in season as both have landed coaches which are huge upgrades from who they had in charge.

I could care less what Arizona State, NC State and Alabama decide to do in their hunt for a new head coach. I only bring them up because they're overcrowding the available seats on the coaching carousel. Any coach looking at Miami now has more leverage and options.

One plus for Miami is the hiring of Chuck Neinas, a consultant/headhunter type who will help the Canes nail down their top guy. He'll research candidates The U has targeted and he'll also assemble a list of his own, based on traits Paul Dee and Donna Shalala are looking for in the school's next head coach.

Neinas is the X-Factor here, for numerous reasons. The firing of Coker and hiring of Neinas is a bold move by Shalala. Many were whispering that she was happy with Coker maintaining the program, graduating players and keeping their noses clean as well as the shared revenue deal as a member of the ACC.

If football wasn't some sort of a priority at The U, Shalala could've gone against the grain and brought Coker back for one more season. Instead, he was fired 12 hours after the 17-14 win over Boston College.

This could all be a ruse and smoke screen, appearing to do a nationwide search and then bringing in old chum Barry Alvarez, but all signs are pointing to Miami putting the full court press on Rutgers' Greg Schiano. Schiano and his Scarlet Knights are gearing up for their season finale at West Virginia this coming weekend, so don't expect much "Schiano to Miami" chatter over the next week. If this thing has any legs, we'll hear about it hours after the bowl selection show next Sunday on FOX.

From everything I've heard and read, Miami is prepared to make Schiano an offer he can't refuse. He'll be compensated financially and a promise will be in place to upgrade the facilities. Rutgers will most likely match this in their attempt to keep Schiano in New Jersey, but at day's end it'll come down to his drive and desire as a head coach.

Despite what he has said publicly, folks I've spoke with close to the Miami program have stated that Schiano has verbally expressed interest in hearing what The U can offer. He's no dummy. Rutgers will only take an up and coming coach so far. If Schiano has big time aspirations, he needs to be part of a big time program.

Should Schiano not find what he's looking for at The U, there are a few other names which have been dangled out there.

>>> Steve Spurrier seemed the shoo-in candidate for about 36 hours two weeks ago. Those flames seem to have simmered, making it much ado about nothing - or proving that Spurrier and his people know how to keep things under wraps. I don't think Spurrier will wind up at Miami, but I also wouldn't put it past him to pull this off.

>>> Barry Alvarez is currently Miami's second choice, I believe. He's the safe play if Schiano turns The U down. I can see Shalala talking Alvarez into returning to coaching, making a run for a few years and then transferring over to AD after Dee steps down or is fired. That said, if Neinas can collect come solid info and interest regarding lesser-name candidates, that could push Alvarez to the back burner.

>>> Steve Kragthrope doesn't have the sexy name or resume, but he's done a helluva job with a nothing Tulsa program. He's also received a ringing endorsement from former Miami AD, Sam Jankovich. Jankovich believes Kragthorpe can be this generation's Jimmy Johnson, an up and comer waiting in the wings for a big time opportunity. Jankovich was one of a few architects of the Miami Dynasty and if Kragthorpe is OK by him, he's OK by me.

>>> Gary Patterson has done a good job at TCU, though some feel he's just maintaining the program that Dennis Franchione built between 1998-2000. In his six seasons with the Horned Frogs, Patterson put together four seasons with 1-2 losses. Is he ready for that next level or was he just a "right place, right time" hire at TCU? We'll see.

>>> Mike Leach is a name I've read on message boards, though no one from Miami has contacted him as of yet, which I find surprising. With a high-octane offense, all Leach needs is a defensive coordinator and some in roads to recruit South Florida and he'd be set. I wonder if Neinas will contact his agent or if he's completely off Miami's radar.

Is there anyone I've left off this list? Probably. If so, please chime in below in the comments section and let me know who you think should be the next head coach at Miami... and if anyone mentions a Johnson return, I'm gonna slap you.

The JJ we all knew and loved is long gone. Click here if you don't believe me. Hardly the coaching legend who won rings in Miami and Dallas. I'd ask JJ to make me a Mai Tai before I asked him to head back to Coral Gables and return The U to prominence. Think outside the box, people. No retreads. Give us something to chew on here.

There are tons of coaching options out there. Think of some legit ones. Not crap like, "I heard Bill Belichick was uphappy with the Kraft family and wants out of New England..."

More to come this busy week. Stay tuned.


.:Canes305:.

Larry Coker Era ends on high note...

Larry Coker was let go this morning after twelve years of service at the University of Miami, six of those as head coach. As much as I've lobbied for this during a depressing 6-6 season, there is a side of me which is sad today.

I can live with losing Coker The Coach, but this program will miss Coker The Man. Believe it. Men like Larry Coker are few and far between.

Paul Dee and Donna Shalala made the call this morning at the 11:30am ET press conference and the class act he is, Coker handled the whole situation diplomatically. Word is that Coker will stick around and coach the Canes in their bowl game, most like in Boise or San Francisco. While that seems mildly unconventional, I like the call.

Coker deserves his swan song and as nice as it was to beat Boston College on Thanksgiving night, the future looked cloudy and most fans couldn't embrace the win, fearing it might save his job. After today's decision, Miami's bowl game will give even the most callous fan a reason to root for Coker and applaud him for a job well done.

On a personal note, I want to thank Coker for his twelve years at The U.

I spent the better part of this season lobbying for him to be replaced. As much as I dig Coker The Man, the program's decline the past few seasons was impossible to ignore. I started losing faith in 2003 after Miami lost a snoozer to Tennessee, 10-6. The fact that Coker couldn't rally his squad a week after a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech? The first regular season loss in three years? That raised red flags. I couldn't remember the last time I saw the Canes come out flat in back-to-back games.

Coker rallied Miami to an 11-2 season and an Orange Bowl win over Florida State, but at day's end that team could've competed for a National Championship. As stellar as 2001 was, the Canes don't have enough hardware for all their dominance and success the earlier part of this decade. To me, that's coaching.

2004 and 2005 felt like one long season and the 40-3 Peach Bowl loss, at the time, felt like rock bottom. Little did we know then. As for 2006, 6-6 and the only quality win came on Coker Eve. The saddest part about it is that Miami looked pretty good last night. Had Coker played things a little differently, we might've been looking at a two-loss team this season. There's enough talent there for Miami to have been a thread in the ACC this season.

That said, it is what it is. Things played out as they needed to. Coker made a profound comment in his farewell speech today about how a new personality can invigorate a program. He's right. People have oft stated that this program has been Cokerized. In regards to Larry's beliefs, ethics and morals - that's a good thing. But from a coaching and discipline standpoint, Cokerization is not a good thing.

Miami Football needs a shot in the arm. It needs a fiery, aggressive, hungry and younger coach. Kudos to Dee and Shalala for their difficult decision this morning. This program was at a crossroads and this decision proved that this administration DOES give a damn about football. If they didn't, Coker The Man would've been enough to bring Larry back in 2007.

Step one was ending the Coker Era. Step two is hiring the right man for the job. That'll be a huge topic of conversation over the coming days, but I'll throw my two cents in right now and plead that Dee and Shalala throw everything but the kitchen sink at Greg Schiano. If you want to resurrect this program, he's your guy. It's a no brainer. Anyone else is a distant second choice. Even Visor Boy.

Like many stinging from the loss to Virginia, I was enamored with the mention of Steve Spurrier - but in my opinion, he's a third or fourth option and a few rungs higher than a Barry Alvarez.

If Schiano is EVER going to leave a Rutgers and attempt to climb the coaching ladder, THIS is the time. Supposedly go aggressively at Schiano, offering him upwards of $2M a year and incentives that can make the Jersey boy an offer he can't refuse.

If Schiano is coming to Miami, expect an answer as early as next week. He either wants this job or he doesn't and if he does, The U is going to pay what it takes to lure him back to Coral Gables.

Should Schiano spurn Miami, many feel Tulsa's Steve Kragthorpe is an option and Auburn's Tommy Tuberville could be the ultimate dark horse candidate.

All journeys start with that first step and Miami's admin took a giant leap forward this morning. The Coker Era needed to end today, as great of a man and teacher as he's been to these kids. If the Canes want to become a contender again, it's time to bring in a big time player as head coach.

After today, The U is one step closer to doing that.

Thanks again, Larry. You won a title, had another one stolen and you impacted some lives while you were here. You can't ask for anything more and you will definitely be missed.


.::Canes305:.

Bryan Pata 17, Boston College 14

Take my emotions, throw 'em in a blender and hit "puree" right now. Talk about a rollercoaster of an evening and a season.

Random thoughts which are running through my mind tonight:

>>> Happy Thanksgiving. Anyone who didn't appreciate today, look no further than the highlights of tonight's game. Jeanette Pata and some siblings on the field. Friends and family holding up Bryan Pata's #95 away jersey. Players touching it for inspiration or just for a second, to feel like they were patting their fallen teammate, brother and friend on the back one more time.

Anyone you know and love, hopefully you enjoyed some quality time tonight. We're not promised tomorrow.

The Patas and this group of Hurricanes would give anything to see Bryan once more. Especially on a day like today. Appreciate those you love. Nothing more, nothing less.

>>> Larry Coker, Larry Schmoker. Today wasn't about the embattled sixth year coach or his job security.

Miami lost two straight since Pata was murdered. This was the first home game since his last time suiting up (Virginia Tech.) The Canes came into the Orange Bowl tonight and they knew what they were up against.

Coaching rumors swirling, four straight losses, injuries, work ethic and heart being questioned, etc. Boston College came to town to win a game and take one step closer to an ACC title game berth. Miami squashed that right out...

>>> ... and what sweetens the pot isn't the fact that the Eagles are now 0-15 against the Canes since the gnat lauched the overrated pass in college football history.

It wasn't even the salt in the wound when ESPN stuck Doug Flutie - sans the '84 mullet - in the booth tonight. Nah. This was karma. Sweet revenge. Justice. A prayer answered. Whatever you say when the stars are aligned and both sides get what they deserved.

A portion of Boston College's online fan base acted like pure scum after Pata's murder. Check out the message boards. You can still find some of that anti-Miami venom floating around out there.

They called us, "Thug U" and trashed some good kids. Others said this is what happens when you recruit hoodlums.

This was all about Pata. I believe in my heart of hearts he was looking down on the OB tonight. Guardian Angel or however you view it, his presence was felt. The Orange Revolution had their banners hanging in the end zone and at night's end, one was on the OB turf being prayed over, cried on post game by Pata's teammates. For a moment, he was there again.

The lesson? Respect The U. Whether 5-6 or 11-0, We're still Miami.

This season has been tragic, but don't count out these kids' ability to rise up. These Canes were 0-for-2 in games dedicated to Pata with one shot left; at home. You hadn't heard the last fromm Miami. Third time proved to be the charm and they gave #95 the only gift they could; a win in his honor.

>>> Will tomorrow be D-Day for Coker? We'll see. He was jovial and fired up tonight. Was that faux hope or does he know something we don't? Is he returning? Or is this a man so strong in his faith that no matter what the outcome, he was going out with a bang tonight and appreciates his time at Miami?

CaneSport is reporting an 11am ET press conference and has boldly state that Coker will be let go. We'll see.

Still, say what you will about Larry Coker "the coach" - Larry Coker "the man" again proved he's a class act.

If he's relieved of his head coaching duties, I pray that the University of Miami finds another role for him. This program needs him in some capacity. He's one of the better ambassadors The U has ever seen. He's given 12 years of blood, sweat and tears to this program and truly adores UM. I just don't believe he's our best head coaching option, moving forward.

As my spinning head and turkey-bloated gut hit the sack tonight, I truly pray for a new direction regarding Miami Football. I hope this is that turning point. I can't take 6-6 or worse. It's time for a rebirth. Come on up for The Rising.

I stated day's ago that if Coker's firing depended on tonight's game, I wanted a loss. Once you lose five games, it's time to focus on next year. For the greater good of The U, I felt a loss tonight solidified chance.

Tonight, that seems secondary. Of course, tomorrow morning is another story.

When that clock hit 0:00, I was thrilled the Canes pulled out 17-14. It's Thanksgiving. Pata and our kids deserved it. If it is Coker's last stand, then let him go out the same way he came in; on top. We've lost too much this season - on and off the field. Everyone who bleeds orange and green - we deserved a win tonight. If for nothing else, just to remember what it feels like.

Come Friday, I feel the Coker odds are at 75% regarding getting canned in the next day or so. Entering today, I had those odds at 90%. Will he now get the sentimental vote and benefit of the doubt, saving his job? I have no clue. With our admin, I have a better shot at tonight's Fantasy Five than determining the fate of this head coach. Ryhme or reason haven't proven to be Dee or Donna Shalala's strong suits as of late.

Tomorrow is tomorrow and we'll see how it plays out. Cross your fingers... toes... legs... Should Coker return, we'll have 365 more days to piss and moan to no avail.

I started a piece this morning, "An Ode to Larry on Coker Eve" but family, in laws, two dinners and some football kept me from finishing. A Miami win puts that article on the shelf for when the time is right. Be that Friday... or 2008.

Tonight, we need to let this one be all about Bryan Pata and our kids' effort to honor him. As I wrote weeks back, I never met Pata - yet the past 2+ weeks I've thought about him several times a day. It consumes me and I'm a stranger. I can't even imagine how torn up his friends and family are today.

Our Canes lost back-to-back games after his death. How much pressure do you think they put on themselves to win tonight? They failed him their last two outings - falling short at Maryland and running out of gas the Virginia week. Miami willed themselves to this win for Pata. They weren't going to be denied a tribute to #95 on senior night, in what would've been his final home game.

Faced with their biggest challenge in weeks - backs to the wall - Miami got it done when it counted. ESPN. National TV. The ultimate family day. As cliche as it sounds, tonight will bring everyone some closure. Or at least one step closer to finding some.

Meaningless in the record books or on the scoreboard? Absolutely.

Indelible in the minds of every Cane missing Bryan Pata on Thanksgiving? Have another look at the photo accompanying this story. Our kids wanted to honor their fallen brother.

Tonight, they made him proud. Job well done, Canes.


.:Canes305:.

allCanes.com UWIN Winners - 11/22/06

allCanes has pulled the UWIN winners for Wednesday November 22nd.

Today's winners are:

> Ricardo Rios - Lutz, FL - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Ken Spivey - Follansbee, WV - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Robert Cook - Perrine, FL - $20 Big Cheese Gift Card

Winners will be officially notified today and gift cards will be sent out first thing next week.

Congrats to our UWIN winners today and for those of you yet to sign up, click here to officially enter the 2006 allCanes UWIN Contest.


(Note: Registering once makes you eligible for every drawing during the 2006 season. Multiple entries will be deleted.)

Opportunity missed...

I love the photo above. It was taken at the Miami/Maryland game a few weeks back, four days after Bryan Pata was murdered. It seemed all Canes fans in attendance did what they could to show respect to a fallen brother. Miami played the game of their season, fighting adversity, storming back from being down 14-0 and falling short in a 14-13 loss.

Appreciate this moment, because I am expecting the exact opposite on Thanksgiving night in the Orange Bowl.

The day after the 30-23 loss to Georgia Tech, I blogged that Paul Dee needed to have Larry Coker resign effective immediately. Dee's rallying cry after 1-2 and the loss at Louisville was that Miami could still win the ACC. Once the Canes lost to the Yellow Jackets, that dream was 99.9% dead and Coker should've been let go. At 5-3 there was no business to believe that Miami could rally to win it's final four games.

Instead, the worst case scenario is now reality. Not only did Miami not win the ACC, but it hasn't won an ACC game since stealing a win from Duke on October 21st. The Canes are now 2-5 in conference and will most likely finish 2-6, putting them at 13-10 in conference play since joining the ACC in 2004.

By forcing Coker to resign in late October, these last few games could've been his "farewell tour" - with his team playing hard, showing their respect for the coach they love. For Coker to take the field against Boston College on senior day with everyone knowing it was his last game? The fan base could've handled it. Give the man on last ovation for the 2001 and 2002 seasons and let him ride off into the sunset.

Unfortunately, Miami's top brass remained coy about the subject and there were late season rumblings that Coker might return in 2007.

Comments of that nature are like gas thrown on a fire. Because Dee and Donna Shalala dragged their feet and chose not to be proactive, firing a coach mid-season like North Carolina, Michigan State and Florida State all did - they are going to pay a hefty price on Thursday.

My prediction? This one is going to be ugly all the way around.

Like the fans in the above photo, there are some who are treating this game as they should. Rory Ellis and the boys who started the Orange Revolution. Ellis and his crew raised $2,500 which they're sending to Jeanette Pata, Bryan's mother.

They saved a few hundred of that donation money to have five oversized banners made for the West End Zone - which all are a tribute to Pata. #95 would've run out that tunnel for his final game on Thursday - an honor for any kid who puts in his time at The U.

Sadly, fans like this are few and far between. Several message board posts this week have fans threatening to throw Krispy Kreme donuts at Dee. Others talk of throwing beer, wearing bags on their head and chanting obscenities at Coker and staff.

Should any of that take place, I pray these clowns are arrested and roughed up by Miami's finest. People, there is NO place for any of that crap on Thursday. If you're aggravated with the administration then fly a banner, take out an ad in the paper, start a blog, protest and picket out front, etc. Do something constructive.

Harassing our staff and administration on national television for a media which already hates and trashes us? You're just giving them more ammunition. I can't think of anything more ridiculous when the University of Miami is possibly days away from exploring some new coaching options.

You think guys like Steve Spurrier and Greg Schiano have any desire to leave their current posts for a trashy element like this? What about future recruits? You think they want a sneak preview about what it'd be like to play for the Canes during a down season? You think they appreciate seeing the former starting quarterback and his father being cursed out after a disappointing loss?

I truly pray that a bunch of drunk, moronic, attention hounds don't piss on what is already a difficult day. This program is in the toilet. These kids are battered and bruised. This coaching staff knows execution day is around the corner. Miami is riding a four-game losing streak which will most likely be five straight by day's end. Salt in the wound? A gross understatement. This is more like battery acid.

There's no irony lost in the fact this will all take place on Thanksgiving - a day when we're all supposed to be somewhat introspective, counting our blessings and giving thanks for all which is good in our lives. Instead, some folks want to act like a bunch of drunk soccer hooligans, disrespecting the program, the players, the coaches and the legacy.

Think about it, people. This nightmare of a season is just about 72 hours away from being put to rest. The Florida State loss and suspensions surrounding it. The logo stomp at Louisville and 31-7 ass beating. The FIU brawl. The Duke game with half the team on the bench, suspended. Another loss to Georgia Tech with so much on the line. Losing another one to Virginia Tech, making it three of our last four. Pata's murder. A valiant effort at Maryland. Pata's wake, funeral and memorial. Sleepwalking through a loss at Virginia. Coaching rumors galore and now, Boston College in the finale - which is basically Coker's coaching funeral.

The only thing which could make all that worse? Some numbnuts in the West End Zone acting like trashy, classless mongoloids on Thursday.

If you're going to the game, remember this. It's senior day for kids who chose to sign with The U over several other universities. Ask past Canes how special this day is to them. It's emotional and it's about them and their families, not some bitter so-called fans. Their brother has been buried and their coach's head is on the chopping block. Four straight losses hurt them so much more than your insults, online comments or foreign objects.

It's Thanksgiving. Give thanks that we have this program. Give thanks that a new regime will be in effect in 2007. Give thanks that these kids cared enough to choose Miami and send them out with the class and respect they deserve.

If none of that matters to some cold and callous folks, then I'll use my trump card here and ask you to remain respectful for the memory of Bryan Pata. Picture him looking down on that scene Thanksgiving night - his family and friends in those stands honoring him. The banners flying above the West End Zone. Pata deserves better and so does this program.

Doug Flutie will be in the booth representing ABC and they're going to stroke him all evening. Boston College hasn't beaten Miami since the gnat threw his overplayed Hail Mary back in 1984. They want him in the house for the Canes' funeral and those cameras will be in full force, just looking for rabid fans in an effort to trash the program. Don't fuel that fire. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.

Coker will be gonzo days from now. You've hung in there for five seasons and eleven games. Stick it out for one more.

Dee and Shalala, if and when the fury reigns down on Thursday - I can't help buy say, I told you so.

You could've diffused this situation months ago but foolishly chose not to. Money. Pride. Ego. Blind loyalty. Whatever it was that kept you from forcing a resignation late October, you blew it and come Thursday you're walking into a mess which you could've prevented.

Good luck game day and come Friday, do the right thing. End this horrendous era of Miami Football.


.:Canes305:.

Random thoughts on Miami/Virginia 2006

Miami dropped their fourth straight contest this past weekend, losing 17-7 to lowly Virginia. If I'm calling the Cavs "lowly" what does that say for this current Canes squad? Not a whole hell of a lot.

I watched the game in a stupor. I was uninterested, distracted, expecting a loss and hardly phased every time the UVA scored. I pretty much mirrored the team's actions.

Miami had a rough week. It was well documented. A wake on Monday, a funeral on Tuesday and a memorial service on Wednesday. Somewhere along the way they practiced and attempted to get ready for their final road trip of 2006. If there was any game the Canes were destined to lose, this truly was it.

Riding a three-game losing streak and putting their brother Bryan Pata in the dirt on Tuesday, I doubt many people really gave a hell about a football game in Charlottesville, VA. Mix in a 5-5 record and there really was nothing to play for last weekend.

Below are some random thoughts on the Miami/Virginia match up. Why I'm even commenting on this meaningless loss, I don't know... but here goes:

>>> Miami was beyond unimaginative on offense this week. I don't get it. Where were some of the spread formations we saw last week against Maryland? How come we weren't moving the pocket to help Kirby Freeman buy some time behind a banged up offensive line? Everything which seemed to "work" against the Terrapins last week, the Canes' coaching staff abandoned it.

Word was that Todd Berry had a hand in the Maryland game plan. Regarding the Virginia "strategy" this one looked to be all Rich Olson. Miami ran on 1st down 13 of 19 times. A few were designed runs by Freeman, but the majority were handoffs in the back field to Javarris James. There was no element of surprise. There was no stretching the field with the deep ball - until late in the fourth quarter, that is. When Olson finally decided to go deep, Freeman hit Lance Leggett - in stride - for a 77-yard touchdown.

Of course that means little with just over three minutes remaining and a then 17-point deficit.

>>> The Olson Experience has been beyond disappointing. The offensive playcalling took a huge step back in 2006, which is beyond shocking. I truly believed anything was an upgrade from Dan Werner. I was wrong. In third and long situations, the Canes are running routes 2-3 yards short of the marker. On third and short situations, Olson's calling for a handoff three yards behind the line of scrimmage. It's mindboggling.

>>> Four assistants were fired last off season and the college football community knew Larry Coker was on thin ice. Anyone who signed on with The U was fully aware it could be a one year experiment if they didn't hit the ground running. The truly amazing thing here is that sitting at 5-5, the pressure was off. This team is at the bottom of the ACC barrel and to NOT make a bowl game this year would actually be a blessing. End this era on Thanksgiving Day - not on New Years Eve freezing our collective ass off in Boise, ID.

With no pressure and a semi-successful game plan at Maryland, it was absolutely ludicrous to see Miami's offense playing a conservative brand of football. It's obvious that this staff planned on grinding it out with the run, chewing time off the clock, relying on the defense (again), playing the field position game and hoping to eeke one out somewhere along the lines of 13-10.

>>> Leggett's unsportsmanlike penalty in the second quarter was par for the course regarding the 2006 season. Anytime Miami does something well, something stupid follows - costing the Canes yards and momentum. Coker blew his stack as LL left the field, but you can file that one under "too little too late".

I was glad to see Larry show some emotion, but doing so in year six with most likely one game remaining in his tenure? It reeked of desperation. Leggett has been up and down for the Canes and this is the second straight year where he's proven he can't handle adversity.

True, Miami is not using his 6'3" and 190 pound frame they way they should - i.e. more jump balls, deep balls with one-on-one coverage, etc. - but that's no excuse for mailing it in. Leggett started strong this year but is ending 2006 with a whimper. Similar to his Peach Bowl performance. If I'm Coker, I sit LL in the season finale and let him attempt to get his head right going into his senior season.

>>> I just lost about 60% of what I had written the past hour and I don't have the heart to regurgitate it - the same way I erased this game from my TiVo before it was even done recording. I've spent way too much time writing and discussing a 5-6 team. Here are a few things I DO remember from the rant I just lost thanks to Blogger.com and modern technology...

>>> Miami was 2 of 9 on third down conversions. Many of those situations came in the form of the Canes facing 3rd and long and receivers not running routes past the first down marker. Olson and staff never rolled the pocket and allowed Freeman to be that dual threat he was last week against Maryland, where Miami was 13 of 21 in third down conversions.

If receivers weren't running their routes, the other option was handing off to Javarris James on 3rd and 1 and watching him get stuffed for a four-yard loss as the entire stadium knew Miami was running up the gut. The lack of imagination and firepower is depressing. Watch any top 20 team in the land and you'll see how elementary Miami's play calling is.

>>> Randy Shannon's defense has looked great, good, average and bad as some point this season. The fact that the Canes oft struggle with mobile quarterbacks is beyond depressing. Whether on top of the world in 2001 or in the toilet in 2006, Miami can't shut down a dual threat unless his name is Marcus Vick.

Michael Vick, Bryan Randall, Rasheed Marshall, Reggie Ball and now Jameel Sewell. All have gotten their licks in on the Canes. Hell, Randall and Ball both had difference-making, game-winning touchdown runs against Miami the past two seasons. Ironically, both games ended the Canes' dream of winning the ACC.

Sewell was 23 of 33 for 215 yard and 0 interceptions. He rushed for 55 yards and two touchdowns. Miami's defense never rattled the freshman or forced a turnover. That is beyond unacceptable for a solid defense against a first year starter.

>>> This Thursday will be the first time in 32 years that I will not actively root for Miami to win a ball game. I can't root against the Canes, but I am being honest when I tell you that I do not want a win on Thanksgiving.

I know that sounds ludicrous, but so were Donna Shalala's comments in Sunday's paper. Shalala stated that she hoped Coker would rally and win his final two games so she could lobby for him to return in 2007.

Exsqueeze me? How in the hell would 7-5 warrant Coker's return? At 5-5 was the writing not on the wall? Losing to Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and Maryland in meaningful back-to-back-to-back games? Losing a second straight opener to Florida State? Gettting thumped at Louisville? Stealing one at lowly Duke? The season's only semi-quality win coming against Houston? The biggest conference win, a 27-7 victory over North Carolina?

If Shalala could even entertain the notion of keeping this staff after 7-5, then as much as it pains me I want to see 5-7. I know our kids need a win, but for the greater good of things - they need a loss.

A win on Thursday sends Miami to Boise, ID for the Blue Turf Bowl on December 31st. It extends the worst season in recent history and extra 38 days which NO ONE needs - and based on Shalala's comments, it keeps the door open (at least in her eyes) for Coker's return.

No one can defend 5-7 - the worst record since 1997. Nor can they defend not making a bowl, 3-5 in ACC play and a 6-9 record since last year's November loss to Georgia Tech, where Miami entered the game with a #3 ranking and on a clear cut path to Jacksonville. The nosedive since almost seems impossible to comprehend. The wheels didn't just fall off. The engine exploded and we need a tow to the bodyshop for an overhaul.

This 2006 season needs to be taken out back and put down. Fans, coaches and players deserve to be put out of their misery. No one's heart is in it. Especially after Pata was murdered. Call it a year, clean house and start thinking about 2007. Miami needs a nine month vacation like no other program in the country.

"Change. Now it's time for change. Nothing stays the same. Now it's time for change. Not tomorrow, but today." - Motley Crue


.:Canes305:.

allCanes.com UWIN Winners - 11/20/06

allCanes has pulled the UWIN winners for Monday November 20th.

Today's winners are:

> David Henghold - Weston, FL - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Brian Keim - Crawfordsville, IN - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Shawn Kelley - Mesa, AZ - $15 iTunes Gift Card

Winners will be officially notified today and gift cards will be sent out first thing next week.

Congrats to our UWIN winners today and for those of you yet to sign up, click here to officially enter the 2006 allCanes UWIN Contest.


(Note: Registering once makes you eligible for every drawing during the 2006 season. Multiple entries will be deleted.)

The Ol' Ballcoach? Really?

CSTV.com and ESPN.com are reporting the ol' Ballcoach might bail South Carolina in favor of The U. Steve Spurrier could be heading to Coral Gables.

How much truth is there to this rumor? Who the hell knows.

We DO know that Miami fell to 5-6 yesterday, losing their fourth game in the row for the first time since early 1997. The Canes haven't lose five straight since a late season collapse in 1977, but should end that 29-year drought Thanksgiving Day when Boston College visits.

Spurrier is 13-10 in two seasons at South Carolina and Clemson is on deck. Spurrier was mum on the subject at today's press conference, but that was expected as the Gamecocks' biggest rival is on deck.

ESPN's Joe Schad has reported that Larry Coker will be fired after Miami's Thursday night match up against Boston College, where the Canes will most likely fall to 5-7 and will not be bowl eligible for the first time since 1997.

Schad has also reported that Coker has not officially been informed he will not be retained, but that "influential members of the university community" have begun contacting reps for possible replacements, looking to make a "splashy" hire.

A source close to Spurrier has stated that the coach would be willing to hear Miami out due to a love for the state of Florida and the fact that Miami is a premier program in the National Championship picture at the beginning of every season.

The only thing more shocking than the mention of Spurrier, were comments made in regards to Donna Shalala. ESPN reported that Shalala had hoped Coker would win the final two games of this season, so she could lobby to bring him back.

Shalala is either attempting to be politically correct (it seemed fait accompli that Miami would lose to Virginia and Boston College after falling to 5-5 last week at Maryland) or she truly doesn't "get" The U's football culture. Regardless, she has no leg to stand on should Miami wrap up 6-6 or 5-7. "Influential" trustees and boosters are riled up and are identifying replacements.

Spurrier would definitely be a "splashy" hire for Miami - a program who's bread and butter has always been finding "up and coming" coaches. The Canes have never brought in a legendary coach. On the contrary, past coaches have created their legacies at The U.

After six seasons with the vanilla Coker a top the program, Spurrier might be that shot in the arm the Canes need. Especially on offense, where Miami is at an all time low in the modern era.

Greg Schiano and Barry Alvarez are two other names still being mentioned. Rutgers was whooped by Cincinnati, ending their Cinderella season - while Alvarez presses on as AD at Wisconsin. Schiano will look to renegotiate with RU at season's end, but should the Miami job open, it could pique his interest. Alvarez seems happy at Wisconsin but recently stated "never say never" in regards to a return to coaching, especially with old chum Shalala at Miami and the fact South Florida would allow him to recruit talent he was unable to bring to Wisconsin.

Five days until the next Canes game and six days until the Coker era will come to an end. Stay tuned. MUCH more to come in the next few weeks.


.:Canes305:.

allCanes.com UWIN Winners - 11/17/06

allCanes has pulled the UWIN winners for Friday November 17th.

Today's winners are:

> Toni Bass - Corpus Christi, TX - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Tara Kuehn - Ocala, FL - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Charlie Santos - Ft. Myers, FL- $20 Best Buy Gift Card

Winners will be officially notified today and gift cards will be sent out first thing next week.

Congrats to our UWIN winners today and for those of you yet to sign up, click here to officially enter the 2006 allCanes UWIN Contest.


(Note: Registering once makes you eligible for every drawing during the 2006 season. Multiple entries will be deleted.)

Reddick reinstated...

After serving a four-game suspension for going 'Braveheart' with his helmet in the FIU brawl, Anthony Reddick was reinstated this week and will most likely play this Saturday at Virginia.

This comes two weeks after Ryan Moore was reinstated against Virginia, after serving a nine game suspension - the first half for violating team rules and the second, for his altercation with a female patron at an on campus bar.

I'm not a head coach, nor am I judge, jury or executioner. I don't know what a 'fair' punishment is regarding forcing players to miss game for an on or off the field violation. Thankfully, that's not my job. I can just sit on the sideline and play critic.

Regarding the return of Reddick, I don't know how I feel about it. At day's end, what's the difference here between two games, four games or the whole season? I watched Reddick's interview the week after and the kid truly looked sorry. He knew he made a mistake and he felt stupid as all hell for wielding a helmet in an on the field brawl.

What I do have issue with - regarding both Reddick and Moore - is the lack of rhyme or reason Larry Coker has shown in his handling of both suspensions. Both players were "suspended" indefinitely and there was no discussion about it until the week they returned.

By not addressing the issue head on, Coker looks incompetent and desperate. Bringing Moore back against Virginia Tech in a big game situation? Bringing Reddick back for the final two games one week after starting safety Kenny Phillips had season ending surgery? That doesn't strike me as the way a head coach and program's CEO should handle these matters.

After the FIU brawl, suspensions were handed down. All players got one-game suspensions and Reddick was suspended indefinitely. A month has passed and with no discussion on the matter, Reddick is now practicing and ready to play against Virginia. Miami fans can call it 'media bias' but you can't blame the writers for this one. Coker needed to stand in front of that podium last month stating that Reddick was suspended X amount of games and would return on a certain date. Or he needed to provide an update sometime between the Sunday after FIU and the Thursday before Virginia.

The same can be said for the Moore situation. Moore's status was upgraded to 'indefinite' after his on campus altercation in late August and not a word was uttered until Georgia Tech week. He returned a week later when the Hokies headed south to play the Canes.

As the leader of this program, Coker needs to make the call and stand by it. Suspending players indefinitely isn't the problem. Actually, I respect that. Don't rush to judgment. Mull it over. Look at all the facts. Then make the call. The issue here is that you can't suspend a player indefinitely, sweep it under the rug and then out of nowhere, with no rhyme or reason, reinstate them.

The 'head in the sand' mentality was not a tactic employed by great leaders throughout time. Meet the challenge head on and stand by you decision.

For what it's worth, I think four games is fair. FIU booted the two players who started it and every participant on both squads, got one game suspensions. Reddick was the main culprit, based on the use of the helmet, so four games seems just. Still, within a week of the brawl, a specified amount of time needed to be announced.

Call it what you want, but in my opinion this is further proof that Coker struggles with that 'head coach' job title. His inability to make a decision and stand by it again will bring criticism on Miami. This move reeks of desperation and looks like a last ditch effort for Coker to tally up a few more wins in an attempt to save his job.

That said, welcome back Anthony Reddick. After giving up the deep ball last week against Maryland, this secondary needs all the help it can get.


.:Canes305:.

ESPN's Schad fuels the rumor mill...

ESPN's Joe Schad had an online college football chat today and he had an interesting answer regarding the future of Larry Coker:

Corey (Trenton,NJ): What's up with The U, Coker and the possible coaching search?

Joe Schad: (1:34 PM ET ): Miami has begun calling around.

Joe Schad: (1:35 PM ET ): The trustees would love to see Louisville's Bobby Petrino or West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez. But that's not going to happen. The more likely scenarios are Rutgers' Greg Schiano or former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez.

Three of those names - Petrino, Rodriguez, Schiano - would have Miami faithful jumping for joy, but the mention of Alvarez for anything other than the new athletic director? Hells no.

I read online today that Schiano receives a base of $875,000 a year from RU. Coker will receive $1,800.000 from Miami this year. Schiano would have a chance to double his salary by coming to The U and he'd inherit a program in need of some fine tuning in regards to making a run in 2008.

The clock is ticking. Anticipation is building. Let's hope the Real Slim Schaddy is correct that Miami has been on the horn, throwing it out that they're looking.

If college football analyst knows anything about The U's future, it's Schad. ESPN sends him down to Coral Gables anytime a player sneezes. Schad is a former writer for the Palm Beach Post and you have to believe he has some Miami ties. Someone had to leak this to him for him to report that The U's top brass is calling around and testing the waters.

On a side note, I've seen ongoing message board discussions asking why Schiano would leave an "up and coming" program like Rutgers for a "spiraling" one like Miami.

Puh-leeze.

The Scarlet Knights are having a dream season and Schiano will have them in the hunt for a BCS game every few years, but they're not the Canes. Miami is a major player stumbled out the gate and it sitting at 5-5, while Rutgers is this year's Cinderella team. Five National Championships, a slew of NFL talent and decades of dominance will always separate these two programs. The only leg up Rutgers has on Miami is its coaching staff.

Unless Schiano can win it all at RU next season, anything else will be a letdown. He needs to ride out this incredible season, use it as a bargaining chip with Miami and sign on the dotted line the week after Thanksgiving.

If Schiano can bring his Rutgers coaching ethic to Coral Gables, "National Championship" and Miami will once again be synonymous.


.:Canes305:.

U Family update...

Thank you to EVERYONE who has purchased a U Family shirt this week. The response has been overwhelming and beyond touching. The fan base was crushed by the loss of #95 last week and was clamoring ofr a way to pay their respects. We got the shirt in on Monday and we sold out late today. More shirts are expected in either tomorrow or Friday.

allCanes has sold over 200 of the shirts already and our goal is to sell 1,000 by Christmas. Please help spread the word to friends, family and other Canes you come in contact with.

The shirt retails for $16.99 and $9.50 of each shirt sold between now and 12/24 goes directly to Jeanette Pata and family.

Anyone who knows retail will quickly realize that allCanes isn't making a dime on the U Family tee. We didn't create this for profit. This is our way of honoring our late friend Bryan Pata and it's an attempt to help his family financially.

We hit the 20% mark in the first three days and we hope and pray that Canes fans nationwide will spread the word about this shirt and about the cause. Our goal is to deliver a nice sized check to the Pata family after Christmas.

Please help us reach our goal of selling 1,000 of the U Family shirts this holiday season.

Bryan Pata blood drive & scholarship info

A memorial fund to start a scholarship in Pata's name is in the process of being developed.

Donations can be made now - payable to the Hurricane Club - and sent to PO Box 028564 - Miami, FL 33102. Please put "In Memory of Bryan Pata" on the memo line.

Condolence cards or letters to the family can be sent to 5821 San Amaro Drive - Coral Gables, FL 33146 - c/o The Hurricane Club.

A BLOOD DRIVE to honor Pata will also take place between now and November 30th. Visit any Community Blood Center location and donate blood.

When doing so, ask for a remembrance card, fill out and send to:

The Bryan Pata Family/Memorial Blood Drive
c/o Hurricanes Club
5821 San Amaro Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146

To find the location nearest you, go to www.cbcsf.org or call 800.357.4483.

A new low...

Bryan Pata was buried today. Above is a shot of his teammates arriving at Tuesday's church service. Over 2,.500 mourners packed the New Birth Cathedral of Faith yesterday to honor Bryan.

Friends, family, teammates and folks in the community who felt a connection to this larger than life kid - they all showed up and all had the same question, "why?"

I don't really know what else to say here. For once, I'm at a loss for words. Pata was murdered a week ago and it feels like a year's gone by. The more time that passes, the more it seems to hurt. Isn't it supposed to be the other way around?

Just thinking about all this feels like a punch to the gut. This was so senseless. A good kid with a bright future was taken. A kid who played football, not out of love for the game - but love for his family. He was their ticket to a better life. He knew this and he shouldered the responsibility with pride.

His family was living vicariously through him and when he was buried today, their dreams died as well. I can't think of anything more tragic.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Pata family, his friends, coaches and teammates.

Wright out for season, Freeman good to go...

Kyle Wright had surgery on his throwing hand yesterday and he'll be out the duration of the 2006 season. Kirby Freeman, coming off an impressive showing at Maryland, will start against Virginia, Boston College and a potential bowl game.

Injury aside, word out of Coral Gables is that Freeman feels the starting gig should be his regardless of Wright's health.

''I'm going to start the rest of the season,'" said Freeman. "Whoever leads the last game, as long as they're successful, they should be the starter going into next year."

When asked about a potential quarterback controversy next spring when Wright is health, Freeman quipped "I hope so. I hope there will be."

A lot is expected to happen between now and next spring. First up are 2-3 more games this season (depending on if Miami makes a bowl game.) After that, the top brass must determine the future of this coaching staff.

Should this staff return, Freeman stated he feels next year's starter should depend on which offense the coaches "think is more successful." QB coach Todd Berry is a 'master' of the spread offense, though Canes fans haven't seen proof of that the majority of this 5-5 season. With Freeman starting against Maryland and playing the final two regular season games, Berry has and will have more input in the game plan.

Freeman notes his athleticism as a difference maker.

"I can do things that are going to get us on a better page - in better athletic schemes. I feel like I'm a playmaker. When you add another playmaker behind center, it makes a big difference. The offense responded to me well. I'm not good at sitting in the pocket, but I can get good at it.'"

However this plays out, I love the ballsy comments displayed by Freeman here. Sometimes we're too politically correct in society. There's coachspeak, but there's also playerspeak. What does one really get out of hearing the same cliches over and over? Give 110%. Leave it all on the field. Stay the course. Blah, friggin blah.

Every kid on Miami's roster busts their collective ass in practice day in and day out. Wright has had almost two dozen opportunities to start and Freeman has one under his belt. With a coaching staff who has publicly stated that Freeman has earned this starting job by default, someone has to speak their peace and Freeman did so yesterday. Kudos to Kirby.

This is America. The land of opportunity. You want something? Speak up. No one's going to hand it to you, so go after it. Make your presence felt. Take that brass ring. Don't back down.

As a Canes fan, I want the best players on the field at all times. It's not a popularity contest. I have no vested interest in any particular player starting over another.

Freeman got his starting opportunity by default. He has two games left to prove it on the field and make his case for 2007.

Get it done, #7.


.:Canes305:.

Retire? Joe says hells 'no'

It's going to take more than a broken leg or a 7-4 season to send Joe Paterno to the sidelines for good. Though he'll be watching Saturday's season finale against Michigan State from the press box, Joe Pa made it abundantly clear this week that he'll coach the Nittany Lions in 2007 and beyond.

In a recent statement to his players, Paterno stated:

"I'm not going anywhere. I expect to be around a while and coaching through each of your careers. You might not see as much of me as I would like for a few weeks, but I'm still involved with your coaches and what you are doing."

In Layman's terms, "over my dead body" in regards to any retirement talk.

This tidbit has little purpose on allCanesBlog.com except for the fact rumors have swirled that Rutgers head coach and former Paterno assistant, Greg Schiano might be interested in a return to Happy Valley.

Paterno's comment about "coaching through each of your careers" implies he'll be around to see this year's freshman class graduate in 2009.

If Schiano is going to make a move anytime in the near future, he best cross PSU off his list of desired destinations.

Schiano?

Ian O'Connor recently wrote an article for FOX Sports giving a million and one reasons why Greg Schiano should stay at Rutgers, instead of bailing for Miami.

The more he droned on, listing reasons why it was smarter to build a program in New Jersey rather than Coral Gables - the more I started believing that Schiano won't coach the Scarlet Knights much longer.

O'Connor provided some nostalgic, feel-good moments when talking about the legacy of Joe Paterno at Penn State. He even went so far as to remind us that JoePa turned down the Canes in the 90s, before Butch Davis booked the gig. Paterno flirted with the idea of leaving Happy Valley and rebuilding The U, but in the end decided to stay home. And at that point, who could blame him?

Paterno was nearing his 30 year anniversary as Penn State's head coach. He had two National Championships. His 70th birthday would occur December 1995, after the season ended. Though flattered by the Miami offer, why attempt to rebuild a new dynasty when you could maintain and old school one you built? Try to win a few more titles, bow out gracefully and retire a living legend at the school who made you.

There's no mystery why JoePa turned down Miami in January 1995. He already had his dream job.

Schiano loves New Jersey and is building something up there, but he strikes me as a coach on the move. Climb the ladder, put in some time and find that next big opportunity.

Rutgers is knee-deep in their Cinderella-esque season. Sitting pretty at 9-0 with Cincinnati, Syracuse and West Virginia on deck. It's an uphill battle, but 12-0 is hardly out of reach. Pull that off and Schiano deserves coach of the year honors. (A toss up between him and Jim Grobe of Wake Forest.)

The only problem with this run? Anything less than winning it all in 2007 will be a let down. The bar was raised here in Schiano's sixth season. RU can be a solid top-20 program year in and year out, but they'll never be a perennial top-5. They need some National Championships under their belt if they want to be considered elite.

Miami has that prestige. Five National Championships won and five left on the field. 22 First Round NFL Draft picks since 2000. A recent 34-game win streak. When we say NFL U, that's for players and coaches.

The Canes are only a couple years removed from this level of play. Miami only loses nine impact players to graduation, but returns some solid underclassmen.

This ship can be righted quickly by the right captain.

Sitting at 5-5, we have to believe Larry Coker will be dismissed days after the Thanksgiving Day match up with Boston College. His efforts are appreciated and he the first half of his six year run at Miami was a great one. Forget whether or not he won with Davis' players, he was a great ambassador for The U and he brought home the Canes' fifth championship. He also coached some premier NFL players and has their endorsement.

A great resume, but not the guy to lead Miami into the next generation of Hurricanes Football. A new era has to be underway in 2007 and I'm calling on Greg Schiano to return to Coral Gables and take the job which was almost his in 2001.

O'Connor rambles about Schiano being a New Jersey lifer and Rutgers being his dream gig. To some degree, I'm sure that's true. Still, great young coaches are 'great' because they're hungry. Because they're driven. Because they have egos.

Everything which made Schiano successful at Rutgers, these are the traits which will drive him to a Miami, a Penn State and/or the NFL. What he's doing at RU is nothing short of amazing. Taking a conference doormat and making them a potential BCS team? That's miracle work. It's also a sign that a bigger challenge awaits.

All the right things are being said, about loving New Jersey and wanting to raise his family in the old neighborhood. It sounds like a throwback coach and the stuff of yesteryear. Paterno and Bobby Bowden uttered those words decades ago and are still respectively at Penn State and Florida State.

They're also few and far between.

Schiano is saying all the right things in the media and he's making all the right moves on game day. He's focused on getting Rutgers in a BCS game and won't be distracted by Miami talk. Still, he hears it and it has to be in the back of his mind. He knows what this job means, just as Davis knew what the Cleveland opportunity could do for him.

Davis left the cupboard full in 2001, after going 11-1 and finishing #2 in 2000. He left a sure championship on the table to take over one of the NFL's worst franchises. More money? Sure. But it's was also a strategic move forward. The NFL is the pinnacle.

Few guys in Schiano's position wouldn't leap at the Miami gig. If he comes to The U, then he's hungry and ready for the challenge. It's exactly what the Canes need. If he stays put, then both sides win. Similar to recruiting at The U, it's not always about the five-star kids. It's the specials ones who want to be here and come to make a difference.

He coached at Miami from 1999-2000 and he knows the area as he's still recruitingit like a madman. Schiano knows that South Florida is a hotbed for talent. He also knows that Miami is a much easier sell to a recruit than Rutgers, no matter how much better the Scarlet Knights look in 2006.

I'm a realist and a cynic. Money and opportunity are what makes this country great. Schiano can stay at Rutgers, build it up and be the next long-timer at Penn State. If that's what he's looking for, I'm shocked. There's a reason we only have Joe and Bobby as examples of old school loyalty. These days NFL money is too good to turn down and college footbal is big business.

Schiano was an assistant at The U from 1999-2000 and bailed just before Davis left for Cleveland. He has as good a shot as Coker at landing the head coaching gig and could've won the 2001 National Championship. Instead, he rebuilt Rutgers. While he's done a great job in Jersey, Schiano knows he was close to a title and bailed a moment to see. That has to eat him alive. If he gets another crack at Miami, what does he do this time around?

I believe Schiano is jumping ship sooner than later and there's no better time than now. Miami is drowning. Schiano has 'life preserver' written all over him.

Let's see what happens in the next few weeks.


.:Canes305:.

JB gets the boot...

Florida State got whipped by Wake Forest, 30-0 at home last weekend. Though miserable on Saturday, Seminole Nation is rejoicing today as offensive coordinator Jeff Bowden has been handed his walking papers. The JB era has come to an end. The youngest Bowden took over for Mark Richt in 2001 and the Noles offense has been a joke since.

Jeffy Boy will 'coach' out the rest of the season and Florida State will hire a new offensive coordinator in the off season. (I'm sure my boys Molbez and Savage are celebrating today. Congrats, fellas.)

Hopefully the Noles and exact some revenge on the Gators in a few weeks as we have a storyline similar to 2004. Ron Zook was canned late in the season and Florida rallied to upset Florida State in Tallahassee, 20-13. The Noles were #8 in the country and they were knocked off in a "win one for The Zooker" type moment.

Will November 25th prove to be, "Anything left for Jeff?"

For those keeping score, North Carolina, Michigan State and now our rival Florida State have all fired a head coach or an assistant during the 2006 season. None of these other programs chose to "wait until the end of the season to evaluate" the situation.

Goodbye, Bryan...

What a roller coaster it's been this season. One minute torn up over losses or coaching issues and the next thing you know, one of your own is gone forever.

I ranted and raved last night about the state of the program and coaching options now that Butch Davis is bleeding Tar Heel Blue.

I droned on about how I wanted the coaching staff to address the quarterback situation by stating Kirby Freeman will start in place of Kyle Wright because he looked good against Maryland and deserves a shot to prove his worth. Anything but the cop out that there's no controversy because Wright is hurt and not an option.

While I still stand by all my thoughts last night and will have more later this week, I can't help but not give a damn about any of that today.

While I blogged Monday night, friends, family and teammates were at the New Birth Baptist Church in Opa-Locka for a viewing. Later today, they'll return for a funeral and then lay him to rest.

Xs and Os, head coaching options, wins and losses... they've all been returned to the back burner for now. Today is all about #95. Pata deserves all our focus.

allCanesBlog.com sends its thoughts and prayers to the friends, family and teammates of Bryan Pata.

Last Tuesday you got the news he was gone and today you'll bury him. It's still not right.

Stay strong.

For information on where to send your donations for the Pata family, click here to check out a recent blog where we posted the info.

Also, our new U Family shirt is now in stock. It retails for $16.99 and between now and Christmas Eve, $9.50 of each shirt sold will go directly to the family of #95. Please do what you can to support the cause.

Monday night UMindtripping...

Our third straight Monday after a Saturday loss. I'm almost used to it.

5-5 and two more games to go. Last year a BCS bowl was within reach. This year one more win is needed to even go bowling. Amazing.

I'd say I'm thrilled we don't have a quarterback controversy, but statements by our head coach thwarted that. Kirby Freeman's efforts against Maryland didn't land him the starting gig. He'll get it by default as Kyle Wright is still unable to go with the bum throwing hand.

"There really isn't a controversy. Kirby is our starter because he's healthy." - Larry Coker, Miami Herald - 11/13/06

I pray that's coachspeak. If he couldn't see the difference between Freeman and Wright, we're in bigger trouble than I thought. Sitting at .500 right now with two games remaining there's no reason Wright should see the field again in 2006.

That's not a knock on Wright. It's based on his 20+ starts to Freeman's one. Freeman looked good against Maryland and should have two more games to prove if he's a fluke or the real deal. Play well and he and Wright are neck and neck entering spring.

No need to talk about it. The results will speak for themselves. Someone is going to step up.

The fact it's not addressed head on like that, it's bothersome. True leaders address these types of questions head on. They pick a side of the fence and then stand by their decision, for better or worse. When faced with another dilemma, they'll repeat the process.

Butch Davis made things official with North Carolina today. Remember the date November 13th, 2006 as a Canes fan. If Davis rolls into Chapel Hill, turning things around and Miami's top brass doesn't make some smart moves at the end of 2006... this could be a dark day in Hurricanes history.

These past few weeks I've been torn on Davis returning. It'd certainly be a step forward towards rebuilding, but how would the sequel match up with the original? Rarely is the second better than the first. Davis' efforts from 1995-2000 truly saved the program. Could he do it again? What if he got off to a slow start?

Had Davis returned to Miami, people would've expected instant miracles.

Right now I'm split. 50% of me thinks Coker is gone after Thanksgiving, but the other half of me believes we'll see him again in 2007. This afternoon, a radio report in Tampa had fans up in arms, stating they "heard from a source" that Coker won't be fired. It's just fuel to the fire - keeping fans talking, forwarding articles and typing away.

Two more games until this one is put to bed. I'd love to see our kids win out, but I won't lose any sleep if we miss a post-Christmas bowl game. This season hasn't just sucked, it's been physically draining. If I'm this thrashed as a fan, I can't even comprehend how these players and coaches are feeling.

A loss. A loss. The brawl. Suspensions. Coaching rumors. A loss. A loss. A murder. A heartbreaking loss.

Omar Kelly referred to Coker as the "sports equivalent of Job" in a recent blog. I'll take it a step further, the entire University of Miami Football program is as plagued as Job right now. This goes eons beyond the head coach.

Top to bottom, this team had the hell kicked out of it in 2006. From the Peach Bowl brawl and 40-3 loss on New Year's Eve, right down to last Saturday's "we can't buy a break" loss at Maryland and every failure in between. The black cloud is looming. Two games remain. Get this season over with and let these kids get their heads right the next few months.

This is college football. Today's five-loss team can be tomorrow's contender. Just ask Michigan. 7-5 in 2005 and now one game away from a BCS Championship berth in 2006.

Miami has some work ahead, but this thing can be turned around rather quickly if changes are made. As disappointing as 2006 has been, there could be reason for optimism in the coming weeks.

Hang in there a little longer. Each and every one of us.


.:Canes305:.

Random thoughts on Miami/Maryland 2006

Miami came up short at Maryland last night, 14-13. The Canes defense was solid, but two breakdowns in the secondary cost Miami 161 yards and two touchdowns - the difference in the game.

I'm not going to tear this one apart from all angles. I don't have it in me. A 5-4 record just slipped to 5-5, in a game where the Canes busted their collective ass and deserved to win. In a season where nothing seems to go write, the loss at Maryland was plagued by yet another game changing play.

Early in the fourth quarter, with the Canes down 14-10, Kirby Freeman dropped a perfect pass into the arms of a wide open Ryan Hill in the end zone. Hill didn't reel it in and Miami settled for the field goal. It was the last time either team scored.

A few thoughts on this one and then we'll put it to bed:

>>> Freeman is Miami's starter the rest of this season. There is zero reason to switch back to Kyle Wright, no matter how healthy he gets. Wright has amassed almost two dozen starts and seems to still lack that 'it' factor whereas Freeman showed he possesses that intangible and that's he's a playmaker.

If this were 2000-2002, I believe that Wright would be the better pocket passer - but those days are long gone. We're in an era where the Canes' ground attack changes week to week, wide receivers don't always make plays and the offensive line is tattered and torn. All that being the case, Freeman is the better quarterback for Miami circa 2006 and it better be a wide open battle entering spring 2007.

>>> Anyone questioning who should be Miami's quarterback needs to rewatch a Canes possession late in the first quarter. After picking up a first down, Miami faced a 1st and 10 from the 28-yard line. Freeman dropped back and had a blitzing defender about to take him down for a big loss.

Instead of taking the sack, fumbling the ball or getting hit with a grounding call, Freeman found Greg Olsen open and dumped off for an 8-yard pick up. What was almost a 9-yard loss became a 8-yard gain. That's a 17-yard difference.

Miami was 13 of 21 on the day regarding first downs and it was because of plays like this. First down sacks have put the Canes in near impossible 3rd and long situations all season. This outing proved that teams have to (1) respect Freeman's ability to run, (2) respect the deep ball and (3) realize if that if they blitz, they'll pay a price.

>>> The Canes can't buy a break on the field. Against Georgia Tech, it was a non interception call regarding Brandon Meriweather pick. A week later, a no call on an obvious Glenn Sharpe interception.

Wright's interception against the Hokies and Freeman's against the Terps were both heads up defensive plays, but neither were textbook plays. The interceptions came at critical points of the fourth quarter, when the Canes had a chance to drive and take the lead. Both were off of batted balls that seemed to hang in the sky, defying gravity until an opposing defender reeled them in.

There were some missed calls in this week's effort, but the play of the game was the Hill drop. Where were the football gods on that one? Hill makes that catch in practice 9 of 10 times, yet can't haul in what would've been the difference maker. A 17-14 win after trailing 14-0 would've been storybook. I called for a 16-13 Miami upset in yesterday's blog and we were one grab away from 17-14. This current team is beyond snake-bit.

>>> Watching Freeman start against Maryland, it had me wondering if Wright would ever see the field again. In 1999 Ken Dorsey came in for the injured Kenny Kelly and started the final three games of the season. A quarterback controversy was brewing until Kelly left The U for baseball, knowing Dorsey was about to seal up the starting gig.

What does this mean for Wright? Freeman will have 1-3 more chances to shine this season and build a case for why he should be 'the guy' in 2007. Either way, I flashed back to '99 when thinking of the quarterback contoversy then versus what we're about to embark on now.

>>> I'm torn on Maryland and their efforts this week. I thought it was first class to wear #95 decals, offer the moment of silence and was touched that the kids gave their per diem to the Pata family. Very classy. The team was first class, but the fan base proved to be a let down.

Booing the Canes as they ran out of the tunnel and storming the field after their Terps gave up 13 unanswered and rushed the field over a win against a then 5-4 program? Pretty weak. This ain't your daddy's bunch of Hurricanes. There's no reason to pull down goal posts and celebrate when you're a 3-point favorite at home. Grow up, kiddies. Act like you've been there before.

>>> It's been said, but I'll repeat it... Bryan Pata would've been proud of his teammates. Yeah, Miami gave up the two long balls and dropped a game winning touchdown - but you can't blame any of these kids this week. The fact they went up there, represented, played hard, busted their asses for #95 and almost upset the Terps, how can you really ask for any more than that right now?

Pata's murder was front page news for all publications this past week, but that will slow down now. While the rest of the world is latching on to another news story, the Canes are prepping for one of this program's darkest weeks ever. Pata's funeral is Tuesday and a memorial service will be held on campus this Wednesday. Last week was a bad dream and the real nightmare begins this week when reality sets in.

On top of that, Miami will prep for a road trip to Virginia - looking to avoid a fourth straight loss. Five days later, Boston College visits on Thanksgiving. These next 11 days are going to be a whirlwind for the Canes. Two more losses are almost expected and would be understandable.

I can't imagine a more worn down, torn up, battered, bruised, crushed, drained and hurt group of kids in the nation. We're praying for you, fellas. Hang in there a few more weeks.

>>> Larry Coker did a yeoman's job getting these kids through a horrendous week and will do the same for the rest of the 2006 season. Coker might not have earned his money on the field with a 5-5 record, but he deserves tremendous kudos for getting these kids through a very trying time.

That said, I pray that Paul Dee and Donna Shalala don't confuse Coker the 'good man' with Coker the 'sub par coach' at season's end. I stated last week that there was no better coach in America to guide these kids through this tragedy. I still stand by that, but also believe that change is in orde come 2007. Miami played their most inspired game of the season last week, but everything else which has taken place since the Peach Bowl has been abysmal.

Miami has now lost 7 of their past 13 games, dating back to the Georgia Tech debacle of 2005 where the Canes were ranked #3 in the land and in the driver's seat for the ACC title game and BCS berth. The wheels fell off against LSU and Coker never regained control, even after firing the majority of his staff. The Coker Era needs to come to an end on Friday November 24th and I pray the top brass can focus on the task at hand, doing what they need to do for the future of Miami Football.

Keep your heads up.


.:Canes305:.

No clue what to think, feel or expect...

Kickoff is in less than an hour and I have no idea what's coming today.

Football truly seems meaningless this weekend, though I am glad Miami made the trek and will play Maryland. They truly was no other option. What good would it have done to cancel the game? Bryan Pata will still be gone and there's nothing therapeutic about our kids sitting around their apartments on a Saturday while other games are being played. Get out there and do what you do best; play football.

The University of Maryland is doing their part to commemorate Pata's honor. Before the game there will be a moment of silence and like the Canes, the Terps will don #95 stickers on the back of their helmets as well.

I've seen some critics take pot shots at Larry Coker and the University of Miami for agreeing to play this game. That's bogus. If the kids agreed they wanted to play, they let them play the damned game and don't make this yet another opportunity to pile on Miami for doing the 'wrong' thing.

Hell, give Miami credit for doing what it can to keep that 'business as usual' approach for the few hours they'll be on the field today, next Saturday and the following Thursday. There are three games left and though they're hanging on by a thread, they're still hanging on.

A win today would be a nice bonus, but the real victory is The U's effort to restore some normalcy. Bryan Pata isn't coming back and skipping this football game isn't going to lessen the pain anymore than playing it will.

As unimportant as it might sound, it'd be unfair to deprive Maryland their shot at Miami. The Terps are tied for first place in the ACC 's Atlantic Division with Wake Forest. The Demon Deacons take on the Seminoles this evening and would have a leg up in their division if the Miami/Maryland game was cancelled. For a program who is rolling out the red carpet for the Canes today and treating the Pata tragedy like he was one of their own, it'd be wrong to alter the outcome of their season by canceling this game.

We're now at thirty minutes to kickoff and I can only imagine what's going on in the Canes' locker room right now. Tears are being shed and emotions have to be getting the better of these kids. Ray Lewis spoke to these Canes last night. Ray-Ray endured the loss of best friend Marlin Barnes a decade ago on UM's campus, in the apartment they shared. Barnes' murder changed Lewis' life and I'm sure he shed some wisdom on these young, fragile Canes.

All I can say is, hang on. Ride the storm out. Strap that helmet on and for the next three hours or so, play football and try to forget about #95 for half the afternoon. Once that clock hits 0:00, everyone's heart will be heavy again, so if you can get some reprieve on the field, soak it up. Let it be about football once that opening kick is in the air.

No one is going to get hung up over a win or loss today. As many have stated this week, Miami already won just by showing up. The deck is stacked against the Canes, not just due to heavy hearts but also because of real football injuries.

Kyle Wright is out with a fractured throwing hand and Kirby Freeman gets his first start behind center.

Tyrone Moss might take the majority of the snaps at tailback as Javarris James is still struggling with a hip pointer. We'll see, come gametime.

Reggie Youngblood, starting left tackle, is also out. Same with starting outside linebacker Tavares Gooden. The banged up emotional leader Jon Beason will start outside today.

Battered, bruised and riding a two-game losing streak, these Canes truly have no business winning today. That said, I am hoping for something special. One of those days where the outcome defies logic. Where adrenaline and emotion can supersede average coaching and a superior opponent.

We're twenty minutes from seeing how it'll play out, but since we're all reeling right now, I'm putting on the orange and green colored glasses for this pick. Screw logic and conventional wisdom. This one's for Bryan and every kid with a "U" on his helmet knows that.

The Canes' fairy tale has been an utter nightmare in 2006. Today Miami deserves a storybook-style ending and I pray the football gods look down favorably upon The U today. Miami 16, Maryland 13. Not sure how much I really believe that, but I'm reaching right now. The U needs something here.

On a side note, I am curious to see John Saunders, Craig James and Doug Flutie in the studio for ABC at halftime. All three wore their bias on their sleeves a few weeks back when Miami played Duke. All three were rooting for the Blue Devils, feeling that the Canes weren't fairly disciplned regarding their on the field brawl a week earlier.

When the Canes and Terps take the field today, will these three ABC buffoons root for a reeling Miami bunch or do they keep their opinions quiet?


.:Canes305:.

B-Diddy on Hank Goldberg's radio show...

Former Miami head coach Butch Davis was on air today. Local talking head Hank Goldberg had Davis on his WQAM radio show earlier and some interesting knowledge was dropped.

A week ago it was reported that Davis was all but ready to sign on the dotted line, becoming the next head coach at North Carolina. Not so fast, my Tar Heel friends - regarding popping that celebratory bubbly. If this was a done deal, it'd have been inked last Monday.

Turns out all the hype was just message board fodder. I am sure the UNC gig is there if Davis wants it, but it seems he wants to weigh all his options before making that decision.

The politician he is, Davis didn't say "much" but there was a lot which could be inferred from this interview.

He made reference to North Carolina and Michigan State both making it clear that they wanted to go in a new direction come 2007, proving that by firing both John Bunting and John L. Smith mid-season. Davis' people have been in contact with both schools, but nothing has been finalized.

Davis stated that he's finishing up his commitment with the NFL Network and that we'll all see what happens in the 'coming weeks' - making it sound as if Davis is in no rush and he's still fielding offers.

Goldberg commented about North Carolina's deep pockets in comparison to Miami. Davis then stated that money isn't everything. When Hank asked if North Carolina and Michigan State are the only two school which have contacted him thus far, Butch confirmed that.

This tells us a few things:

(1) Davis is either using this as leverage for the North Carolina gig or they really aren't his first choice.

(2) Davis is waiting on other schools to come calling, be that Miami, Alabama or someone else who might need a new head coach in the coming weeks.

(3) It also tells us that the University of Miami hasn't contacted Davis yet. What we don't know is if they'll contact him as soon as this regular season is over or if they've already made their decision regarding Larry Coker's future. Even if Coker is gone, some believe too many bridges were burned for Davis to return.

I find it a bit shocking that The U hasn't at least contacted Davis. Then again, maybe they have and it's hush-hush because they don't want to tip their hand regarding Coker's future.

Either way, we're in for an interesting off-season on many levels.

.:Canes305:.

The U top brass speaks out about Pata...

Miami athletic director Paul Dee sent out the following letter today and we want to repost it at allCanesBlog.com for all those who didn't receive it:


Dear Friends,

During this time of great sadness and grief on the loss of UM student-athlete Bryan Pata, the Athletic Department has received many letters and phone calls expressing your deepest sympathies. Many of you have expressed interest in honoring the memory of Bryan and I hope that the options below will provide you an opportunity to support the Pata Family during this trying time.

The Pata Family will have a private service on Tuesday. A University memorial service will be held on campus at noon on Wednesday, November 15th at Gusman Hall.

Condolence cards for the Pata Family can be sent to:

Jeanette Pata c/o The Hurricane Club
The University of Miami
Hecht Athletic Center
5821 San Amaro Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33146-0820

For those who would like to make a memorial gift in memory of Bryan, please send gifts to The Hurricane Club PO Box 028564 Miami, FL 33102. Please note in the memo line that the gift is "In Memory of Bryan Pata". The University of Miami Athletic Department will work with the Pata Family to develop an endowment fund in Bryan's name at a later and more appropriate time.

Finally, I encourage you to support this team by attending our final home game against Boston College on Thanksgiving evening Thursday, November 23 at 7:30 pm. Thanksgiving is a day for family and as former athletes, donors, alumni and fans, you are part of the UM family.

Thank you for your continued support of the University of Miami Athletic Department.

Cordially,

Paul Dee

Reality starting to sink in...

Bryan Pata is dead.

Scratch that, Bryan Pata was murdered in cold blood. It's finally starting to become a reality.

When news broke, I was too busy scurrying to find, read and see anything which had been publicized regarding this tragic event. Tuesday evening I shut the computer and got out of the house. I didn't want to blog. I wanted to force myself to ignore this news.

I tried to see the Borat movie and while I had some laughs, my mind was somewhere else. I kept picturing a room full of Hurricane players and coaches trying to swallow this bitter pill. Visions of Mrs. Pata in a #95 jersey collapsing in the street continued to haunt me.

My ex girl lived at The Colony apartments in the mid 90s and I spent a few hundred nights walking around that parking lot and taking the rickety elevator to the third floor. Envisioning a Hurricane great murdered there in cold blood... I can't even process it.

I feel like a chump for taking this as hard as I have. I never knew Bryan Pata, but I felt like I did.

He was and will always be a Hurricane. As a lifelong fan, I feel an instant connection with these kids the minute they sign on the dotted line every February. Once you show up on campus, you're part of the family. Watching them grow during their tenure at The U and move on to greener pastures? It doesn't get any better. I'm proud of every kid who puts on that "U" helmet and represents our university.

I never met Bryan, but after all I've read and heard about him these past few days, I sure as hell would've liked to. People can always muster up something nice to say about the deceased, but folks who knew Pata have taken this to another level. They're not saying nice things in a moment of weakness; this comes from the heart. Pata was adored by many.

He was a leader. Friends and teammates sought council from him. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He had big dreams and aspirations. He's the kind of guy you wanted in the trenches with you be it a football game, a foxhole or when dealing with a personal crisis.

Two days ago he's on Greentree Practice Field and the next, he's gone.

I can't wrap my arms around that.

If us fans on the outside are are crushed as we are, I can't even fathom how close friends and family are taking this. A good kid three games away from embarking on an NFL career and weeks away from getting his degree from the University of Miami. Dreams of joining the FBI after football, with fellow teammate Kareem Brown.

Who wouldn't be proud to know a kid like this?

A few media members and opposing fans, sadly.

Some moron named Mike Celzik wrote a slanderous piece on MSNBC.com Tuesday night while Pata's family was still crying their eyes out at the crime scene. Celzik has since edited his "work" due to a slew of complaints, but his point was crystal clear - "when you recruit thugs, such things happen."

A day later, Dan Le Batard grilled him about the piece on air. Celzik admitted that he'd never met one current Hurricane, but no answer as to how he justified labeling them thugs.

ESPN chimed in with their typical trash, starting with a headline Tuesday evening stating Pata was killed leaving the practice field. Woody Paige of Around The Horn, buffoon that he is, called Miami an immigrant city - implying that this sort of thing is almost to be expected.

Miami rivals Boston College have had classless fans running their ignorant mouths on message boards, preaching a similar message - that Pata was a gun-toting thug who got what he deserved. Classy, folks.

I hope the Canes pound the Eagles into that Orange Bowl turf for a 16th straight time on Thanksgiving night.

I'm amazed by how low we've sunk as a society. Death is tragic enough, but the piling on which has occurred since Tuesday night? It's almost as sickening as the crime itself. How the mainstream media can lump this in with the FIU brawl or past tragedies at Miami? Since when were car accidents lumped in with murder for statistical purposes?

Chris Campbell and Al Blades were both tragically killed on the road after their playing days at Miami. For the sake of piling on, it's sold has "Turmoil at The U" or some catchy phrase implying Coral Gables is a magnet for dispair.

It's irresponsible, classless, disgusting and wrong.

Fights happen. Football is a rough sport. We've seen three such college football brawls in last year; one on the same day Miami played FIU. How in the hell can anyone lump that with a brutal murder?

A few years back, Baylor University had one basketball player shoot another.

Last year, an Arizona State starting tailback shot a former teammate in the face over a girl.

Weeks ago it was members of the Duquesne basketball team who were gunned down, hospitalizing all of them and almost killing two.

In all three cases, none were considered a reflection of their respective programs. Yet in the case of Pata being shot in an off campus apartment, the media decided it's another strike against The U.

That's wrong.

CBS Sportsline's Dennis Dodd proved to be the only writer who 'got' what was going on.

In the past, Dodd has gotten on Miami's case. But he's also proven he knows how to eat crow, writing a solid piece on the Canes after their 27-7 win in Blacksburg last season. Dodd originally called for a colossal beatdown and the end of Miami's legacy. A day later, he manned up and gave The U their props.

On Tuesday he wrote a heartfelt, poignant piece on Pata and The U, as well as the unimportance of wins and losses at a time like this. One paragraph gets me everytime I read it:

The Hurricanes are loved in South Florida. No matter what criticisms there are of the program, Miami is the biggest success story in the sport in the past 30 years. The Hurricanes changed the way we looked at college football -- because we could not look away. They were/are entertainers, mostly great kids. Colorful players with colorful coaches. We wanted to be around them because they were anything but boring.

Thank you, DD. A great summary of Miami's recent legacy and a nice tribute to a fallen Cane. Too bad more of the media can't put their personal bias aside and realize this is a friggin tragedy. Nothing more, nothing less. It doesn't matter where this happened or who it happened to. This event crushed a lot of people. Respect it.

Bryan Pata was a man. He was a brother. A son. A friend. A teammate. A mentor. An inspiration. He was out to do something important with his life and he impacted many.

Don't believe me? Check out the message boards this week. Look at Bryan's MySpace page and read the tributes.

Just when this program thought things couldn't get any worse, everything came crashing down. This fan base has been cut to the core.

Screw 5-4 and meaningless bowl games. This program is reeling and it has nothing to do with wins and losses. A friend, brother and teammate was taken. That supersedes everything.

Even issues this fan base has with the coaching staff.

Many feel Larry Coker is gone Friday after Thanksgiving. Some wanted him out after the Fiesta Bowl. For others, the bitterness and resentment became official after the loss at Georgia Tech. For me, this run ended in 2003 after the 10-6 loss to Tennessee.

I've made my feelings clear on the matter the past few months. The U needs to go a new direction in 2007.

That said, dealing with this tremendous blow this week there's NO coach out right now, needed at a program more than Coker.

Haters, hold off on the hate mail and let me explain.

Right now the Hurricanes need Larry "the good man" Coker to step up and be that fatherly figure. The guy who walked into homes and promised to take care of their sons the four years and beyond. This week, Coker is playing the role of mentor, friend, counselor - whatever.

The Canes could - and might - lose their next three ball games. But RIGHT NOW, that doesn't matter. 5-4 and chatter about firing coaches needs to go on hiatus for two weeks. Come on now, people.

Deal with next season and this coaching staff's future after Thanksgiving. The next two weeks are all about a bunch of beaten up 18 to 22 year olds who need more than a football coach. They need Coker to lead them through the most troublesome time this program has seen in a decade, since the Marlin Barnes murder back in 1996.

I challenge all of you to support these Canes in any way, shape or form in which you can. This program needs you more than ever. These kids need a packed house on Thanksgiving. It's Senior Day. It would've been Pata's last time running through that smoke. He'll be looking down on the OB that Thursday. It's the first holiday his family will spend without him. Make all of them proud.

To the anti-Coker contingent, I'm not asking you to change your tune. As stated previously, I too believe the program needs an overhaul after this season comes to a close.

But save the rant for later. If you want to resume the "Fire Coker" chants on Friday November 24th, no one will blame you.

Right now this is a time to put personal bias aside and support a group of kids that needs a oft fickle Miami fan base to get their back and help them realize everything is gonna be alright.

Rest in peace, Bryan. As crazy as this sounds, I can't get you off my mind, bro. I've shed some tears this week and more are coming Saturday when the Canes take the field. These are those times in life that make you sort of question everything. Whatever your belief system, this is senseless and as low as it gets.

To all our kids heading to Maryland in the coming hours, keep your heads up. You're all warriors for playing this weekend. We're with you and proud of you. Stand strong. Leave it on the field. This is your bowl game. Ruin Maryland's season and in the process, bring an ounce of joy to yours.

Actually, I almost feel bad saying that.

The Terps are going to commemorate Bryan with a moment of silence and #95 decals on their helmets as well. First class move. That program just went up a notch in my book.

Like everything tragic, this too shall pass. Until then it's gonna hurt like hell.

Go Canes.



.:Canes305:.

Harry chimes in regarding #95...

I write this blog from San Diego, CA.

I grew up in Miami, worked at All Sports during my formative years, moved west in 1998 and now run the website and remail loyal to The U from 3,000 miles away. God bless the Internet.

That said, my days of meeting the latest crop of Hurricanes - that ended over a decade ago. The last bunch of future NFL superstars in store back in my day were the likes of Warren Sapp, Ray Lewis, Yatil Green and ol' Tremain Mack.

It's the completely opposite of our in store staff. GM Harry Rothwell and other long-timers like Josh Peskin and Bob Stanley - they see these kids on a daily basis. They get to know them. They meet the folks and girlfriends when in town. These players are instantly part of the allCanes family.

When Harry and I spoke Tuesday evening after we learned of Bryan Pata's death, we were both too stunned to talk about it. Today Harry compiled his thoughts in an email and asked me to post in the blog.

Those of you who know Harry, he's a phone guy. Email isn't his style. But in this case, he wanted to put some words on paper regarding this tragedy and we're posting them here:

I first met Bryan at his freshman breakfast four years ago.

He sat at our table, we hit it off and from that point we became friends. Whenever he saw me, he called be by name and made a point to make time to chat with me.

He worked real hard to be the best he could be and he had played well since changing positions. He was thisclose to reaching his dream of going to the NFL and taking care of his family.

His girlfriend was in the store a few weeks back with Bryan's sister, getting shirts made with his name and number #95 on them. We talked about how well he was doing. I told them what I liked best about Bryan was his infectious smile. That smile could light up a room and instantly put you in a good mood. That's one memory I'll always have of him.

God bless his soul, his friends and his family. Please give his coaches and teammates the strength to get through this awful and tragic loss.

This is the type of event that shows how meaningless 5-4 truly is, in the grand scheme of things.

I've personally seen a few big losses effect The U these past 15 years. Jerome. Shane. Marlin. Chris. Al.
No, disrespect to any of them, but those other tragedies didn't make me feel as hurt as I do today. For some reason, this one is the toughest to deal with.

This is a time where team and family come together.

This is the time that every fan of this program must show there support to this team. They are hurting in ways you can't even imagine. I see a lot of these kids on a daily basis. We talk to them when they're in store. We hear how disappointed they are with a four-loss season. You can see it in their body language. These Canes are broken beyond repair right now.

It's on their Miami family and this fan base to help heal that hurt.

Bryan, Al, Chris, Marlin, Shane and Jerome - look down on our kids this weekend and give them that fightin' Cane spirit.

You fellas helped make this program and you'll never be forgotten.


Sincerely,

Bryan Pata, R.I.P.

Miami defensive tackle Bryan Pata was shot and killed on Tuesday November 7th. He was 22 years old. He had just left practice. He was three games away from ending his career at The U and embarking on one in the NFL; the ultimate dream for any college baller.

We are still numb to this news here. This doesn't make sense. It's not fair. I doesn't even seem real.

Try to get it off your mind and you'll only dwell on it more. Try to wrap your arms around it and prepare to come up empty. Yet another cruel blow delivered by the world we live in and in this case, there are no answers.

allCanesBlog.com will share our thoughts on Wednesday once we've had time to let this sink in.

Many fans and customers have written in regards to allCanes doing some sort of tribute to #95. We will discuss that in the coming days. We've commemorated and paid tribute to past fallen Canes and I can't see any reason why we wouldn't do the same for Bryan Pata.

More to come tomorrow. In the interim, please say a prayer for the family and friends of Bryan - as well as his University of Miami family. As if these kids haven't been through enough during this nightmarish season. Losing games means little when you've just lost a brother.

Rest in peace, Bryan Pata.


.:Canes305:.


For those looking for more information on the tragic death of Bryan Pata, here are some links. We will add more as they become available:

Rest in peace, Bryan Pata - Dennis Dodd, CBS Sportsline
Death of Pata Ruled a Homicide - ESPN.com
Hurricanes Pata Shot, Killed - Herald.com
Tragedy reduces football issues to instant insignificance - Greg Cote, Miami Herald
University of Miami football Player shot, killed - Omar Kelly, Sun Sentinel
Time For Tears - Omar Kelly's Blog

Please make sure to comment on #95 and leave your thoughts below.

Latest info out of Coral Gables...

>>> Word is the Kyle Wright will not play against Maryland this weekend. Wright has a soft cast on his throwing hand and a sprained thumb. Other reports have stated a hairline fracture, which could sideline #3 the rest of the 2006 season. Kirby Freeman looks to be 'the guy' this Saturday against the Terrapins, arguably the hottest team in the ACC.

>>> Should a now 5-4 Miami falter down the stretch behind a back up quarterback, or should Freeman rally the Canes - either gives the administration ammo should they choose to keep Larry Coker on staff in 2007.

Aside from the, "this was a new set of assistant coaches - they need time to gel" excuse, you can now add quarterback controversy to the list. If Coker stays and Freeman falters, then Miami's record isn't as bad as it seems due to all the late season injuries. Should Freeman come in and provide a spark to a stagnant offense, well that gives you promise for next year and an excuse for how poorly the team looked when he wasn't in the game.

Either way, pay attention to this sub plot and potential excuses if Paul Dee and Donna Shalala decide to stick with Coker next season.

>>> Add starting safety Kenny Phillips to the injured list. All signs are pointing towards Phillips electing for season-ending surgery this week. Phillips broke his right hand before the Georgia Tech game and played with some sort of a brace since.

>>> Javarris James (hip pointer), Greg Olsen (knee) and Reggie Youngblood (knee) were all injured in last week's 17-10 loss to Virginia Tech. All three are expected to be ready for Maryland.

>>> File this one under "a little bird told me" and please, take it for what it's worth.

I do what I can to not get caught up in the coaching rumor game here as other sites and radio shows do. A lot of folks have written in asking me the status with Greg Schiano and would he ever entertain coming back to The U. I've oft heard he wasn't interested with rumblings of his wife preferring the northeast and Schiano quietly awaiting the Penn State gig to open up when Joe Paterno retires.

Regarding that little bird, I've heard that Schiano might be interested in a return. If that happened, I believe it's a 2-3 year plan en route to the NFL. It wouldn't be long-term, but based on the state of things in Coral Gables, it'd be absolutely welcomed.

If Schiano has NFL aspirations, Miami would be a nice stepping stone. He isn't getting there direct from New Brunswick, NJ. If he plans on sticking around the NCAA, it seems Penn State is the better long-term gig. The only questions are regarding time table as no one sees ol' Broken Leg Joe leaving Happy Valley anytime soon... unless it's in a pine box.

Again, take it for what it's worth.


.:Canes305:.

Random thoughts on Miami/Virginia Tech 2006

Miami lost to Virginia Tech last night, 17-10. Down 10-0 at the half, the Canes rallied to make it 10-10. It was just enough to tease the fan base into thinking that an upset might be in order. Par for the course, a late game turnover was coughed up, the opponent capitalized and Miami was left with its second straight loss.

This most recent loss puts Miami at 5-4 and was the ultimate kick in the teeth. Losing has become almost expected; the Canes were an underdog at home for the first time at home in the Coker Era.

Still, giving it away late when the stage was set for The U to FINALLY pull one out? Stick the knife in and twirl it around a few times, why don't you?

At 10-10 late in the fourth as Miami took over, I turned to my wife and said, "it's not IF we blow it here, it's WHEN." No sooner do I mutter something about blowing it on the first play and Wright's pass it picked off by Xavier Adibi. From there it was Brandon Ore for the score and game, set, match Virginia Tech.

Sure, Miami got our "Hail Flutie" and "Stanford Band" moments on the game's final two plays, but that was just more faux hope and salt in the wound. The one was over the minute Adibi snatched that batted Wright pass out of the Orange Bowl lit sky.

Some other random thoughts on yet another painful loss:

>>> This is the third time in four seasons that Miami has lost back-to-back games. It is also the first game this season where the Canes never had a lead.

>>> The playcalling was again suspect. In the shotgun on 3rd and 1... a pitch to Tyrone Moss which everyone in the stadium knew was coming (he was stuck and planted for a big loss)... poor rotation of running backs... unable to capitalize on a short field multiple times.

>>> Todd Berry may be a swell guy, but what in God's green earth is he doing to make both Wright and Kirby Freeman better quarterbacks. As impossible as it sounds, both players look infinitely worse in 2006 than they did in 2005 before the new quarterbacks coach came to The U.

>>> Rich Olson is in way over his head at offensive coordinator. Many thought that a grade school kid proficient at NCAA2007 on XBOX could call a better game than former coordinator than Dan Werner. Any hire would have to be an upgrade, right? Wrong.

>>> Coaches had moments where they actually trusted their ground game. Moss was a great call to have in the game as he's a bowling ball, a workhorse and a blue collar-style runner - which is perfect against a lunchpail defense like Virginia Tech's. Brute was needed over flash. That said, there were times where you expected to grind it out more and Miami got cute, trying to go to the air - against the wind, no less.

>>> Wright's mistakes against killed the Canes, though the loss is not solely on him. Still, a quarterback cannot attempt a big time throw late in the game with an opponent's mitt directly in his line of fire. Adibi made the stellar interception, but Wright had no business throwing that ball... again.

>>> Even with Wright's mistakes, it's no reason to get personal. Shame on every Miami fan who harassed Ken Wright (Kyle's father) after the game as he waited on his son outside the locker room. That's disgusting, people. No class. White trash. You want to trash the coaching staff, go right ahead. They're paid the big bucks to have these kids ready to play. Don't rip on the parents of a college kid. A quarterback who turned down Southern Cal and Texas to be a part of the Miami winning tradition.

This coaching staff hasn't just let the fans down, they've let down the players and the parents of players as well. If you think you're hurting today, think about the Wright family as they're sitting down to breakfast with their son somewhere in Coral Gables this morning. Everyone deserves better and it's a slap in the face to trash the families of kids who chose to play for Miami and bleed orange and green. Get your priorities straight, you vultures.

>>> Losing Javarris James and Reggie Youngblood to first half injuries obviously hurt the Canes, but it seems par for the course. This team seems like it has to overcome a season's worth of adversity every time they take the field.

>>> This team cannot string together a few successful plays in a row and it hasn't since last year's win at Virginia Tech. All year this team's MO has been to show a flash or glimmer of hope, only to have it squashed out moments later by something disastrous. Untimely penalties, turnovers or missed opportunities haunt and plague Miami. Failure breeds failure.

I guarantee these kids come up to the line with a sense that something bad can occur at any given moment. Another dose of misery every time that ball is snapped.

>>> One example of good and bad coaching on similar plays occurred with the field goal attempts and it's not because one worked and one didn't. The 55-yarder Jon Peattie nailed was a thing of beauty. Down 10-0, it was the right call. Making it would give the Canes a much needed boost and it did while missing it would've almost been expected.

At 10-3, with the clock ticking late in the third quarter it was time to go for it on 4th and 3 - not temp fate with another 50+ yard field goal attempt. We're not talking Adam Vinatieri here. Peattie has been shaky all season. His 55-yarder was a career long. Expecting him to drill one from 52 yards out? That's going back to the well one time too many. This was the perfect opportunity for a fake. Either a pooch punt or a direct snap to the fullback, looking for three yards, momentum and a chance to keep the drive alive. Going for yet another long field goal opp was an example of conservative and scared coaching...

>>> ... that said, Coker is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Early in the game he inserts Freeman for a drive. Down 3-0 with little pressure, Freeman scrambles for 31-yards and Tech looks perplexed. He fumbled on the run, but Greg Olsen scooped it up and Miami retained possession.

Conservative coaching results in two runs up the middle (instead of attempting a high percentage pass play when VT expects a run) and the Canes are faced with a 3rd and 10. Everyone and their mothers knew Miami was throwing on third down and Virginia Tech was blitzing. Freeman was picked off and the ball returned to the Miami 37-yard line.

Freeman threw and errant pass, but again this is a situation where coaches set a player up to fail. The inexperienced Freeman was not given any opportunity to make a play outside his 31-yard scramble. He was never reinserted into the game, coaches ran Jones on 1st and 2nd down and then expected the back up QB to be a miracle worker on 3rd down, with the blitz in his face.

>>> At 5-4 with nothing left to play for (... don't even mention the word "pride" again, coach) it's time for Wright and Freeman to split time down the middle. 2006 is done. Build for 2007. The QB position should be wide open entering next season. Giving Freeman a series here and there isn't going to help the situation - as witnessed last night. There are 12 quarters of football left in the regular season. Wright gets six and Freeman gets six.

>>> The Miami Defense again played well enough to win. That is more on execution of these players than it is coaching. Randy Shannon was not challenged with shutting down a potent offensive attack. He had a good running back to stop in Ore and a sub par, immobile quarterback in Sean Glennon. Shannon stuck to his schemes and his players executed. It wasn't a case of him mixing it up, blitzing more than usual or implementing a new wrinkle. It was Shannon: 101 and it happened to be effective against a one-dimensional offense.

The Canes held Ore to 79 yards and Glennon was never really a threat all day. Glenn Sharpe had his receivers on lockdown all night, snagging an interception after wrongly having his first attempt waved off. Calais Campbell and the defensive line played their game of the season. Kareem Brown and Bryan Pata were also in on the action. The Miami linebackers were against missing in action, but as a unit it was a stellar effort and enough for the win...

>>> ... still, the Canes need to do a TON of work regarding their red zone rushing defense. True, Ore is a special back - but there were times he went virtually untouched en route to the end zone or on a large gain. Missed tackles and not plugging up holes is not acceptable. Especially when you know that Frank Beamer and staff are going to pound Ore down your throat. Glennon isn't going to beat you in the red zone. The running game is. Miami never stopped Ore inside the red zone.

>>> Coker is now 6-6 in his last twelve games. Miami has not beaten a 'good' football team in 2006. The Canes have some good, talented players but are a bad 'team' all around. The mantra the past few weeks has been to 'finish' drives. They didn't. Players talked about the program needing a win as bad as ever. They lost.

Anyone who isn't calling for a change at the top, please email me to discuss or post your comments below. I'd love to hear why you think this team can and will rebound... and what it is that you're smoking to give you this false hope.

>>> Former Miami coach Butch Davis is all but ready to sign on the dotted line at North Carolina 'barring unforeseen developments' according to published reports. The only 'unforeseen development' would be another Canes loss this past weekend and the admin finally waking up and making a play regarding bringing Davis back to The U.

While I give this a 1% chance of happening, IF Paul Dee and Donna Shalala were on the fence with their decision, another Miami loss coupled with North Carolina's offer would force their hand. Make a play now or forever hold your peace. When it's all said and done we could theoretically see Pete Garcia at FIU, Davis at UNC and even Shannon at NC State if Chuck Amato is shown the door. A once proud Miami family will appear more like kids from a broken home, scattered all about.

>>> 5-4, these Canes are on the verge of not being bowl eligible as six wins is the magic number. Due to a longer season across the board, a new rule helps Miami where a win over a Div. II school (FAMU) actually counts where it didn't in the past. A win over Maryland, Virginia or Boston College would be needed for The U to reach a bowl game. Pathetic.

I'll call it now, Miami loses at Maryland and against Boston College. A win against Virginia is the only possibility and even that will be a dog fight and it'll come down to a late Miami do or die possession which could go either way in deciding the game. In my heart of hearts, I see 6-6 on the horizon - which is what I predicted after the Duke game IF we didn't beat Georgia Tech.

>>> Another Saturday debacle gives Miami's top brass another post-loss Monday to implement a plan I outlined a week ago. Dee & Shalala, click here for the answers to all your problems. Canes305 is your Magic 8 Ball...



.:Canes305:.
Miami Hurricanes football is reeling...

A picture really is worth a thousand words...

2001... Winning with heads held high.
2006... Losing with heads sunk low.

Paul, Donna, Board of Trustees and any other bleeding hearts... any questions?

Oh what a difference five years can make. It's time for change, people. Today. Yesterday wasn't soon enough and tomorrow's already too late.

Butch bleeds Tar Heel Blue?

www.CarolinaBlue.com is reporting that former Miami coach Butch Davis is headed to Chapel Hill, NC. More news to come as it breaks.

Either way, scratch Butchie off your short list, conspiracy theorists...



NOTE: As of Saturday November 4th, this is still being speculated as rumor. Some are saying it could be done if the right money is thrown as Davis, while others are calling it leverage regarding him returning to The U. Others believe that no matter how much loot is thrown at Davis, he doesn't want to be second fiddle to basketball, which will always reign supreme in Chapel Hill. Stay tuned.

Gotta respect the tough love...

Branden Ore's story has been oft told during recent Virginia Tech telecasts this season.

It's the type of story that announcers love to gush about when they have some down time. Especially late in the game when Ore is amassing 200 yards on the ground, as he's done in back-to-back games.

For those who've missed the feel-good tale, here's the Cliff Notes version.

Ore's coaches felt the running back was complacent. They questioned his work ethic and felt some soul-searching was in order. Just under a year ago, Virginia Tech coaches sent Ore packing. Go home. Figure things out. If you ever get your head on straight, give us a ring. Former QB Marcus Vick had already cast a black cloud over the program with his thuggish behavior. Tech coaches weren't going to let lightning strike twice, idly standing by and watching their program go down the drain due to one player.

Out of school and away from football, Ore got a job working a 7-11 warehouse. Nothing like stocking frozen Big Bite hot dogs and sticky Slurpee syrup to help a young man decide which path he wants to go in life.

After the 2005 season, Ore needed shoulder surgery. His grades were in the toilet - as was his attitude. Self-pity was kicking in, Ore was lashing out and he had become a cancer to his team. A lot of down time stocking shelves in a warehouse opened his eyes and helped him gain some valuable perspective.

Ore re-enrolled this past July and was buried on the depth chart. Coaches had lost faith and it was on him to prove his mettle if he wanted to be a difference-maker this season.

He regained everyone's confidence and has become 'the guy' for a once-sluggish Hokies offense.

I don't care how much disdain I have for Virginia Tech, I love a story like this. Not in the rah-rah, newspaper-selling way the media does. I just love seeing someone get up after getting knocked down.

In an era where the spoiled athlete reigns supreme, it's beyond refreshing to see a young kid who 'gets it' and has that moment of clarity; figuring things out and becoming an all around better person.

It's infectious and in this case it's seeped into every aspect of Ore, making him a better person and a top-notch running back.

The direct contrast to Branden Ore is Ryan Moore and how Miami has handled this young man the past few seasons.

Something tells me that a 'hiatus' from the program between 2004 and 2005 might've been what the doctor ordered. Busting boxes in a warehouse for a few months might've reminded Moore why he came to Miami in the first place. Take football away from a would be, underachieving receiver and see how hard he works to be successful if and when he returns. A ballsy move like that either makes or breaks a man.

Either would be better than what's happened to Moore this past year.

Whatever Moore did at the end of 2005 to get suspended for three games, that was bad enough. Smacking up a co-ed while in the middle of serving that three-game suspension? Beyond unacceptable for a team leader and senior. Moore returned to The U to up his NFL Draft status in 2007.

His immature actions have now sidelined him nine games and counting. Hard to impress the NFL scouts when your on the bench and you're only newspaper clippings are in regards beating up a girl.

Months ago, rumors ran rampant regarding Moore shunning the advice of past Miami receiver greats like Michael Irvin and Lamar Thomas. Something is definitely wrong upstairs when an unproven senior receiver at Miami is telling the Playmaker to talk to the hand.

Personally, I believe it's too late for Ryan Moore. He passed that point of no return months ago outside the Rathskeller. While I'm disturbed whenever I hear about a man roughing up a woman, I'm equally as disturbed when people don't see the err in their ways and make the same mistakes over and over. Moore should've been on his best behavior in the midst of a three-game suspension. His life's goal should've been to see the field again as soon as possible.

Had Moore stayed home on August 26th, he wouldn't have been outside The Rat at 2am arguing with a female patron. Days before Miami is set to take on Florida State, no member of the football program should be in an environment like that. We've oft heard the phrase, "nothing good happens after 2 am" and that night at The Rat, Moore's actions were living proof.

Had there been no altercation, Moore would've suited up against Louisville on September 16th. On a day when the Canes' offense sputtered, there's no doubt they could've used a pick-me-up at the receiver position. #85 not only embarrassed his family with his actions, but in the end he absolutely let down his team and the program. One can only imagine where Canes' season would've gone had they upset the Cards on the road two months ago.

Time away from the program might've been the answer for Moore... or maybe things would be the same. An individual has to want to change. Ore did, but Moore doesn't seem to give a damn.

Tomorrow's match up will be chock full of recruits and impressionable young men. Here's hoping that wherever they choose to sign next February, they pay attention to the sub plots surrounding these two high-profile college athletes.

When there's a fork in the road, choose the Ore way - not the Moore way.


.:Canes305:.

allCanes.com UWIN Winners - 11/03/06

allCanes has pulled the UWIN winners for Friday November 3rd.

Today's winners are:

> Zac Thurston - East Lansing, MI - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Heather Bradley - St. Pete, FL - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Jake Thomas - Perrine, FL - $20 Big Cheese Gift Card

Winners will be officially notified today and gift cards will be sent out first thing next week.

Congrats to our UWIN winners today and for those of you yet to sign up, click here to officially enter the 2006 allCanes UWIN Contest.


(Note: Registering once makes you eligible for every drawing during the 2006 season. Multiple entries will be deleted.)

The biggest reason I can't take a loss...

I hate Sean Glennon.

OK, let me rephrase that. I want to punch the kid and rip that wagging tongue out of his head. Then I'll shave a reverse-mohawk out of his Dumb and Dumber-esque, pumpkin-pie haircut and pour sugar down his pants.

Not really, but the point is that I still can't get this picture out of my head - Virginia Tech celebrating on Miami's once-sacred turf back in December 2004 after their 16-10 win at the Orange Bowl.

The winner went to New Orleans for a BCS game (Sugar Bowl), representing the ACC. It was the inaugural ACC season for both Big East defects and the Hokies came into our house and took the title. Afterwards, they spent a good 30 minutes celebrating on the field. Stomping the U logo, taunting the fans and pouring condiments all over the turf.

I asked my then-fiance to marry me the night before and woke up Saturday morning for some Hurricanes Football. Everything was on the line and I expected The U to deliver. They didn't. In many ways, this was one of those 'beginning of the end' type games, indicative of where the program is today.

Little is on the line when Miami and Virginia Tech go toe-to-toe this weekend. We're talking the difference between the Blue Turf Bowl, a Citrus Bowl, Emerald Nut Bowl, Toilet Bowl. This one is meaningless.

I've heard Larry Coker oft state that this team is playing for 'pride' this weekend. I guess. Personally, I'd have liked to see some pride when blowing a halftime lead against Florida State. Some me something more than a 31-7 loss a Louisville after the pre-game logo stomp. How about exacting some revenge on Georgia Tech after they ruined Miami's season in 2005. Instead, the 30-23 loss last weekend put GT on the fast track to Jacksonville. Where was the pride in this season's three losses?

All that said, I'll agree with the 'pride' motivator going into this week. Not that I believe it'll make a difference, but after what Virginia Tech did in Miami's house two years back 'pride' should've been the motivator if this team was 8-0 or 5-3.

Glennon's smug mug in the picture above nauseates me. I hope our kids see this pic and remember his punk-ass dancing around the Orange Bowl in a game where he never even took a snap. (Bryan Randall was the signal caller back then.) For a back up quarterback to prance around the field in a game where he did nothing? I've longed for the day when Glennon would start against the Canes and prayed he'd take some abuse out there.

Of course I didn't expect that day to come when Miami was in the toilet and Virginia Tech was a favorite in our casa. For those of us who thought 16-10 was 'rock bottom' a few years back... I think we'd LONG to be 8-2 and one game away from a BCS berth.

Glennon is the least mobile quarterback Miami has faced in 2006 and I pray that the defense tattoos this kid for his antics a few years back.

After his reaction in 2004 can you imagine how he'll gloat this season if he actually leads his team to a win, instead of just playing the role of ugliest cheerleader?

Smack Glennon up something fierce, fellas. Hell, give me a helmet and let me plant my head in his spine.


.:Canes305:.

I'm not digging the word on the street...

For the record, I am at a point where I believe nothing I read, hear or see regarding the future of Miami Hurricanes Football. Half the time I don't even trust myself anymore.

The rumors and speculation are endless. Ever since the loss to Louisville, there has been more chatter surrounding The U than Paris Hilton's sex life. Everyone seems to be in the know - about Miami, not Paris - and quotes a 'reliable source' though they never reveal the identity of Deep Throat.

(Insert your own Hilton joke here...)

In mid-September there were rumblings about an alleged Board of Trustees emergency meeting. Word was that Larry Coker would be fired on Monday September 18th. Days later, the story of the meeting was proven false and LC was on the sidelines two weeks later watching Miami limp past Houston.

The next few weeks after the loss to the Cards, the Canes beat up on a few nobodies and eeked pasts a few others. During that time, more rumors ran rampant. Especially after the FIU brawl. Everyone and their mothers had the inside scoop. Coker was gone. Butch Davis was set to return. Davis even supposedly bought a home in South Florida and was 'interested' in the Miami job, if offered.

This notion had North Carolina fans chiming in that Davis was headed to Chapel Hill, once it was announced that John Bunting was gone at season's end.

Heading into Georgia Tech week, some were saying the Coker was gone if Miami lost and was officially out of the ACC hunt. Paul Dee and Donna Shalala led the rallying cry for weeks that the Canes could still with the conference , yet once Miami lost 30-23 last weekend both have shunned the spotlight. Apparantly sticking by their, "evaluate things at season's end" stance.

Miami started 1-2, is now 5-3 and the vibe has seemed like Dead Coach Walking since the Canes are 0-3 against the three decent teams they've played on their schedule. Just when you're ready to stick a fork in the Coker Era, WQAM reports that even if the Canes lose out, his job may be safe since the athletic department can't afford to swallow his contract.

Could this really be the case? The Miami admin has to see the angry lynch mob growing on San Amaro Drive. Most of them have been out there since the Peach Bowl debacle while others set up shop the moment Coker didn't protest the late flag in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl loss. Can they really enter 2007 without a changing of the guard? What kind of message does that send to supporters of this program?

2006 marks the third straight season Miami has fallen short of a BCS berth. It's also year three of the ACC experiment and the Canes are yet to even sniff a conference championship. Throw in a 6-5 record the past 11 games, the worst bowl loss in school's history, the FIU brawl and a well-documented steady decline since 2003. How could a change not be in store?

Money. What other answer could there be? The U's move to the ACC was financially driven, as were Labor Day match ups - which watered down and hurt a once proud rivalry.

With Miami already eating the contract of former head basketball coach Perry Clark, can The U afford to buy out Coker AND pony up cash for the likes of a Davis or Greg Schiano?

Only Donna knows.

Maybe all this WQAM talk is a calculated ruse. Scare the fans, boosters and supporters into believing that Coker will return as, "it's a $$$ thing... you wouldn't understand."

Let the loudmouthed diehards with deep pockets think that a lack of funds will prevent a coaching change and see what they'll pony up to make a difference. If you can afford to fly a plane over the Orange Bowl calling for the coach's head, you can bet the admin believes you have some extra scratch to donate to the program.

Or maybe some of the conspiracy theorists are right and Shalala is content with Miami being a middle of the road team in a big conference with guaranteed revenue, an 84% graduation rate and a 'nice guy' coach who doesn't back-talk or get in the president's way.

I don't have a clue where any of this is headed and anyone who says they do, they're full of it.

ESPN wants more people tuning into SportsCenter and logging on, as do the Herald, Sun Sentinel and various other major media outlets. Talk radio is always throwing crap to the wall to see what sticks and at day's end all of this is done to generate more ad revenue. The Miami top brass? They're just trying to keep the peace until the season comes to a crashing halt.

Controversy sells, hence why every station showed video footage of Brandon Meriweather stomping out a Golden Panther. I'll bet 99.9% of the folks who saw the regurgitated footage didn't know #19 went visit to a children's hospital 24 hours prior, signing autographs and hanging out with sick kids for an entire afternoon before taking the field against FIU.

This current hype machine surrounding The U right now is being implemented for one of a few reasons:

#1 - Coker is gone at season's end and the admin is trying to drum up some booster money to ensure this is the case.

#2 - Coker will be here in 2007 as the admin can't afford to let him go and they're delaying the official news in an effort to not incite a riot.

Right now one is as viable an option as the next.

If Miami had the dinero, the game plan I laid out to Paul Dee a few days back would've been in play this past Monday. Being the athletic department is strapped for cash, it seems like a little shuckin' & jivin' will occur as Miami stumbles through the final four games of this season.

Stay tuned and for God's sake, quit believing the hype.


.:Canes305:.

Caught in the crossfire...

Nothing like trying to do something nice and being treated like you just exploited some young kids in a sweatshop or pushed some old lady in front of a moving car. Yesterday I tried to help Rory Ellis push The Orange Revolution and the message board backlash was rather shocking.

Call me crazy, but I found it refreshing to come across a Miami fan who actually still gave a damn. Someone who doesn't want to boycott a Canes game and will actually be there front and center this Saturday when the Hokies come to town. Of course a percentage of the message board folks felt that this was nothing more than a lamebrained marketing scheme and opportunity to exploit fans - attacking a few zealous fans and a local 47-year old mom & pop shop - like a bunch of bitter Enron stock holders.

Below, Rory explain The Orange Revolution. Whether you're for or against it, it's nice to see someone give this much of a damn about The U. Call me ignorant, but this seems a much better use of one's time than scheduling a hate banner to fly over the OB on game day:

ABOUT THE ORANGE REVOLUTION:
I started this idea a couple of weeks back before the Duke game. I knew then that we would be playing VT, but really, in my thoughts, it didn't matter that VT has orange in their colors as well.

When have the MIAMI HURRICANES ever not done something because of what a rival school does. Are we not to WEAR OUR SCHOOL COLORS, OUR HOME COLORS, simply because we are facing VT or simply because we are in an off year? When did the Cane fan base begin to care about what VT fans think? Does it matter what Billy Bob in Virginia thinks when he is watching the game from his living room?

THE ONLY THING THAT MATTERS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WHY WE ARE DOING IT! IF IT MATTERS TO YOU, IF YOU KNOW WHAT THE TRUTH IS, WHY WOULD IT MATTER WHAT SOMEONE ELSE THINKS ABOUT IT?

Have we forgotten the phrase the makes us who we are: IT'S ALL ABOUT THE U! Think about that, "it's all about the U".

THE PURPOSE:
This is intended to show, in unison, a solid support for this program. Not the coaches, not the administration, but the program. Do you still get goose bumps when you see that smoke? I do! Do you still get chills when you see those ORANGE jerseys run onto the field at night in the OB? I do!

The intention of this is to UNITE THE FANS! UNITE US IN SOMETHING WE HAVE NEVER DONE BEFORE. STANDING THERE IN A STORM OF ORANGE, SCREAMING AWAY IN UNISON.

IT really isn't a hard thing to grasp. Turn on you TV Saturday morning and watch any game in Penn State, TN, Clemson, (enter big college name here) and you will see unified fan bases. Single Colors filling the entire stadium.

It is about solidarity and support for THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI, not some coach or AD. If you want to voice your displeasure, by all means do it, but do it with an ORANGE SIGN!

Just show up in Orange, stand up and support this program in its worst of times, and wear ORANGE.

Check out the Article on allCanes.com blog about it. This is about passion for this team, it is about time we start showing some together!

The word is spreading across campus, mass emails are going out, people are spreading the word.

IT IS THE ORANGE REVOLUTION, BE APART OF IT!


Thanks for doing your part to unite the fan base, Rory. In a time when it's proving to be much easier for fans to turn on each other and hurl insults, it's a breath of fresh air to see someone pounding his pulpit and delivering a positive message. 5-3 or 8-0, it's not about the admin or the head coach. It's about loving The U and being a fan of the program. That's not something anyone should EVER be able to turn on and off like a lightswitch. You're either all in or all out.

Others need to remember that it's not "all about U." It's about the kids, the program and the fact that calling yourself a Canes fan means sticking it out through thick and thin. A quick news flash... boycotting a game here or there isn't going to sway the admin when it comes to hiring or firing coaches. Your vote isn't that important. Even if a few thousand protested, nobody would notice.

News flash, people. Going to the game this weekend and rooting for your hometown Canes doesn't mean that you're a member of the Larry Coker, Donna Shalala or Paul Dee Fan Club. The program is bigger than all three of them. The U has been in existence since before they were born and it'll continue long after they're gone.

Believe this - the fate of Miami has already been decided. I guarantee you Shalala and Dee know whether Coker will be the Canes head coach in 2007 or not. They're just not tipping their hand. A win/loss against Virginia Tech, Maryland, Virginia or Boston College isn't going to make or break things.

We're ALL miserable right now. Who in the hell is happy with 5-3 or the fact that the Canes are 6-5 in their past 11 games in the Coker Era?

Turning on fellow fans, insulting people who live and die with this program and boycotting games... it's an utter embarrassment. It's no mystery why other fans hate us, the media rides us and our fan base has such a bad rep. You're just giving them more ammo and reason to pile on.

Some of you folks need to get your priorities in order and learn to distinguish allies from enemies.

Try not to get caught in the crossfire, Rory. There are some real vultures out there...


.:Canes305:.

allCanes.com UWIN Winners - 11/01/06

allCanes has pulled the UWIN winners for Wednesday November 1st.

Today's winners are:

> Jon Rascon - Norwalk, IA - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Ken Dubow - Miami, FL - $25 allCanes Gift Card
> Shaun Cook - Fairfax, VA - $20 Best Buy Gift Card

Winners will be officially notified today and gift cards will be sent out first thing next week.

Congrats to our UWIN winners today and for those of you yet to sign up, click here to officially enter the 2006 allCanes UWIN Contest.


(Note: Registering once makes you eligible for every drawing during the 2006 season. Multiple entries will be deleted.)