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