Colleges

Unranked, Coker searches for fixes

By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published September 18, 2006

CORAL GABLES - The "Fire Coker" movement has never been stronger in South Florida, yet the man at the storm's epicenter insists he's not bothered.

No, Larry Coker certainly understands a 1-2 record is unacceptable at Miami - and Sunday, he said it causes him more anguish than fans could possibly understand.

"I've been in high-profile programs before at Oklahoma and Ohio State, so I understand it," Coker said. "And I understand the frustration of our fans. We have great fans, this is a great program and they expect greatness out of the program. Believe me, nobody wants to win more than I do."

Now unranked for the first time in nearly seven years, and out of the national championship picture before fall even begins, Miami is looking like a program in serious trouble.

The Hurricanes were beaten 31-7 in Louisville on Saturday, a defeat that knocked Miami out of the AP Top 25 poll for the first time since Nov. 28, 1999 - a span of 107 weeks.

Saturday, the Hurricanes were beaten in all areas - offense, defense and special teams.

They had no answers after falling behind - again. In Miami's last seven losses, going back to Nov. 6, 2004, it has been outscored 79-3 after halftime, including 21-0 in the final two quarters Saturday.

"I've got to find the answer," Coker said. "And it's my job to do that."

Miami is off until Sept. 30, when it faces Houston.

"You're either with us or you're not," linebacker Jon Beason said Saturday. "... Everybody on this team, individually as a player, you've got to find yourself."

[Last modified September 18, 2006, 02:45:28]