The good thing: Larry Coker was taking over a program that he had to try to screw up. The bad thing: He almost did.
It was more than eight years ago when Coker had Camelot dropped in his lap. Butch Davis had left as Miami's head coach early in 2001 to take over the Cleveland Browns. While bigger, more impressive names were being tossed around as a replacement (Barry Alvarez, Dave Wannstedt), a group of upperclassmen went to athletic director Paul Dee's office. They demanded the 'Canes' offensive coordinator take over.
|
|
| Larry Coker was instrumental in keeping together the 2001 class that included future first-round pick Antrel Rolle. (US Presswire) |
It turned out getting the job opened up a new set of problems for Coker. Even if his current players stayed, it was his responsibility to keep the recruiting class together. Davis had left eight days before signing day.
"That was kind of the sentiment," Coker said, "We could lose the entire recruiting class."
Coker would go on to win a national championship in his first season. He was part of a 34-game winning streak. But with the dynasty about to unravel, Coker's biggest accomplishment might have been being a good shepherd. He kept the flock together.
That 2001 recruiting class included five future first-round draft choices. It helped keep alive a streak that most likely will end this weekend. For the first time in 15 years, Miami won't have a first-round draft choice.
The streak has that Joe DiMaggio feel to it. Those who witnessed it may never see it matched. LSU currently has the next-longest streak at five consecutive years with a first-round choice. From 1995 through 2008, Miami had at least one player taken in the first round, 33 total. From 2001 to 2004 it had a combined 19, averaging almost five per year, with a high of six in 2004.
That after having at least one first-rounder six consecutive years (13 total) from 1987-92. Go back to 1982 and Miami has had at least one first-rounder in 23 of the last 27 years.
That '01 Davis/Coker class produced eight players drafted in the first three rounds. The five first-rounders were defensive back Kelly Jennings, tight end Kellen Winslow, safety Sean Taylor, defensive lineman Vince Wilfork and defensive back Antrel Rolle. Linebacker Rocky McIntosh (second round, '06) receiver Roscoe Parrish (second, '05) and running back Frank Gore (third, '05) were the others.
It became a case of who didn't go to the NFL from that class. Sixteen of the 23 players were drafted.
"A lot of those kids we had been recruiting for a year," Davis said. "You sell all the things that go along with the program. You don't just sell your position coach or head coach. You sell the program, the institution, the academics and stuff."
Miami has sustained itself through lower-case hurricanes, coaching changes and NCAA probation. Next weekend could be a damning benchmark in the program's history. After 46 first-round picks since 1984, cornerback Bruce Johnson might be the only Hurricane drafted, probably not on the first day. The last time the school did not have a player drafted was 1974.
For the all the criticism Coker endured during and after his six-year stay, his greatest achievement grows in significance. Rolling up his sleeves and getting those kids to recommit to Miami within a week was close to a recruiting miracle. It was confirmed for him not long after during a flight he shared with Steve Spurrier.
"He said, 'Everybody was really surprised you didn't lose anybody in the class,'" said Coker, now head coach at start-up Texas-San Antonio. "When Butch left it was like a feeding frenzy of sharks coming in trying to steal players. The big thing is the University of Miami kept them. Kids wanted to stay close to home. It's a little bit of what Randy is going through now."
Randy Shannon was the third consecutive coach to become a first-time head coach at Miami. Davis resurrected the program from an NCAA probation malaise from 1995 through 2000. On his way out the door he mentioned that the talent he left behind was enough to win two national championships. Davis was close. Ohio State upset the 'Canes in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, dashing their chances for a second consecutive national championship.
Miami hasn't reached those lofty heights since. Even though he lost only 15 games in six seasons, Coker lost 12 of those in his final three. Shannon, his former defensive coordinator, has started 12-13.
"It was a great streak," Shannon said. "I have to focus on what we've been doing at Miami recently. Hopefully, we can have players and start another streak. Our last two years of recruiting in South Florida have been wonderful. We've basically got 85 or 90 percent of the players that we tagged."
Miami seems to be on the way up again, but as a first-round feeder to the NFL for 14 consecutive years? Shannon's first three classes have been ranked in the top 20, with the 2008 class rated in the top five. There has been staff inconsistency as Shannon has changed coordinators with regularity. Blue-chip quarterback Robert Marve is transferring. This year's ambitious scheduling will make it tougher for the 'Canes to turn the corner (home against Oklahoma, on the road against Central Florida, South Florida, Virginia Tech and Florida State).
The last time Miami slumped this badly it had NCAA probation as an excuse. The difference this time might be the carving up of the traditional South Florida recruiting grounds. Florida's Urban Meyer, and others, have descended into South Florida to pick off recruits. Miami still dominates what Howard Schnellenberger used to call "The State of Miami," but there are a lot of other competitors. When Schnellie was making his mark, there was no South Florida, Florida State or Florida to stiff arm.
Combine the gerrymandering with Coker's theory: "I don't think the talent has been quite as good [in the region]," he said. "For a little stretch there were good players, maybe not great players." That might be the case, but the downturn also coincides with a fateful decision by president Donna Shalala in 2003.
"It all points to one thing -- them leaving the Big East without a doubt," said recruiting guru Tom Lemming. "If they stayed in the Big East, they would still be the dominant team. They'd be the kingpin instead one of the boys in the ACC. Larry Coker didn't all the sudden forget how to coach when they became the national champions."
Miami joined the ACC in 2004 and hasn't been the same since. The 25 combined losses since the beginning of 2004 are the most for the program in a five-year period since 1976-80 (30 losses).
"Normally Miami would flick their finger and they'd [rival recruiters] be gone, not now," Lemming said. "There wasn't a weakness there for 20 years, now there is. The ACC was already developing when they moved in there. It makes everybody even."
Long before that fateful February day in 2001, Davis saw what set Miami apart as an assistant under Jimmy Johnson.
"Howard Schnellenberger ran an NFL offense and defense," Davis said. "I think that helped a lot of these players in the early '80s. Jimmy did the same thing and I did the same thing.
"Certainly not every kid we brought in became a first-rounder -- the Ed Reeds, Jeremy Shockeys, Damione Lewises, Edgerrin Jameses. God bless them for their athletic ability but they also had a tremendous amount of competiveness and work ethic.
"It wasn't just getting a 40-yard dash time on a guy."
It was all about the U. Will it ever be that good, for that long, again?
The man who recruited Miami's last first-rounder (Kenny Phillips, '08) has had time to think about it. Coker won't coach a game again until 2011, when Texas-San Antonio fields its first team. For the Hurricanes and Roadrunners, the same outlook applies.
"There's definitely some possibilities there," Coker said.
dolphinollie 
