Miami has begun the process of hiring a new coach by contacting
candidates, CBS SportsLine.com has learned.
That would be routine for a team with a vacancy but Miami has yet to
formally dispose of current coach Larry Coker. The timing is awkward
because it is widely assumed that Coker will be fired at the end of the
season.
While schools like Michigan State, Iowa State and North Carolina got rid of
their coaches in midseason to expedite the hiring process, it seems that
Coker will stay until at least the end of the season. Miami is 5-6 with
one game remaining Thursday against Boston College.
The school is believed to have contacted at least one NFL assistant.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano has been mentioned but his representative is
in the process of talking to the school's administration about a
raise/extension. Schiano has said publicly he intends to stay at Rutgers.
Elsewhere, Michigan State seemingly has settled on NFL assistants Todd
Grantham and Patrick Shurmur as the top candidates to fill their
opening. Iowa State reportedly has interviewed Nebraska offensive
coordinator Jay Norvell and University of San Diego coach Jim Harbaugh.