New Utsa Head Football Coach Is

UNTnewbie · March 5, 2009

To say that Larry Coker can't recruit is wholly laughable. He's recruited Texas for years as an assistant at Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Miami. He's recruited the whole country for decades in addition to that. The players he's coached into the NFL and the dozen winning bowl teams he's been a part of putting together will sell itself even if he doesn't show the national title ring to the kids. It's a coup for UTSA.
But, as hard-headed as some of you are, you'll simply have to watch UTSA surpass us to believe it. It's plain as day. Sadly, it's as plain as day.
Well, at least we've got a good jazz program that UTSA will never match.

He might be able to recruit, THUGS, but he sure the hell can't run a program!! He's an alright coordinator at best. UTSA will be on probation before they even get started. Your crystal ball is cracked!!

LongJim · March 5, 2009

Here's another viewpoint of LC:

*******************************************************

"Recruiting rankings are misleading and at Miami, they really don't matter. The U has always been about getting the 'right' players, not just the highly-touted ones. Ed Reed was an under the radar kid from Louisiana. FSU was his dream school, but they didn't want him. He chose Miami over Tulane. Santana Moss was a local Miami product who came to The U on a track scholarship. Clinton Portis left Gainesville for Miami because Butch Davis saw him a a RB but Steve Spurrier wanted to move him to CB.

Coker didn't (1) have the ability to sniff out Miami-caliber talent, (2) didn't know how to recruit his own backyard, (3) didn't have in roads with Miami high school coaches and (4) didn't know how to recruit position-wise. Year after year he didn't address needs. Between 2001-2006, Coker never recruited ONE quarterback who panned out. He had about four defect at the last minute, going elsewhere and with no back up plan.

Coker didn't even have a recruiting coordinator on board during his six-year run. Further proof how in over his head he was from day one. He was able to land some highly-ranked kids, but again, they never panned out.

Willie Williams was a risk from the get go. Five-star wideout Ryan Moore turned into a head case that never reached his potential under Country Club Larry. Five-star Aikeem Jolla never reached his potential either, transferring to New Mexico State his final year. Lance Leggett, another five-star that fizzled.

Coker promoted Rob Chudzinski to OC in 2001, which worked out... but he failed miserably with his next few hires. Dan Werner was promoted from within and was a bust. Look as his resume. He was never Miami OC material, but Larry, in over his head as head coach, had no clue how to conduct a search for a quality OC.

When Werner fizzled, the washed up Rich Olson was brought on board, as the university's choice and Coker brought in buddy Todd Berry as co-OC and QB coach. Olson and Berry failed as well.

Things are getting back to normal at The U. 2009 will be a rough year, due to the schedule, but by 2010 you'll see that Miami is 'back'. Only then will outsiders realize what a cancer to the program Larry Coker was.

Coker almost blew it in 2001 with the best college team in history (close calls at Boston College and Virginia Tech) and he was outcoached against Ohio State, even though he had Ken Dorsey, Kellen Winslow II, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee and Roscoe Parrish on offense.

His legend grew because of a 24-0 start, but once it was his team and his players, we saw what a fraud Coker was. It took a few years for things to fall apart completely and it'll take Shannon the same amount of time to get it right again."

"When Miami went on the run in 2001, I wasn't thinking about Coker. I was smitten by the 12-0 run by arguably the most dominant college football team (or at least most talented) of all time.

I started getting wary in 2002 when another talented Miami team seemed to be underachieving. Close games against Rutgers and Pittsburgh. Giving up 45 in the finale against Virginia Tech. The Canes didn't look focused, which is on the coaching staff. Coker simply didn't have the kids ready. They were on autopilot in '01 and Ed Reed was coaching the team more than Larry C.

Coker officially lost me with the 2003 Fiesta Bowl 'loss' against Ohio State. Granted the Buckeyes were a gritty bunch and played solid defense, Coker got the pants coached off him by Jim Tressel -- who has since been exposed over the years by faster, more athletic teams.

How Miami was only able to score 14 points in 59:59 of football with Ken Dorsey, Kellen Winslow II, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee and Roscoe Parrish on offense... It was as if Coker had no game plan and though the team would just will themselves to another win. Even more frustrating, his lack of a reaction when Terry Porter threw that bogus flag.

Back-to-back national championships were on the line and a 35-game win streak.... and old man looks like a deer in headlights.

I started losing faith in Coker after the Fiesta Bowl and officially knew Miami was screwed in fall 2003. After a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech, Miami faceplanted the following week -- at home -- to an average Tennessee team, 10-6.

Up to that point, the last team anyone ever wanted to play was Miami the week after a loss -- in the Orange Bowl, no less. That loss was an abortion. The team was flat, which showed me they didn't respect their coach and he couldn't get them past the loss -- their first regular season "L" in over three years.

The 10-6 loss to Tennessee was the first time Miami hadn't scored a touchdown at home since the 1984 season. Even during the probation years (late 90s) against good Florida State teams (1996, 1998) Miami could still muster up a few TDs.... yet against a sub par UT team the week after a loss, the Canes were flat.

I was 1000% done with Coker in November 2003."

********************************************************

Poor evaluator of talent. Poor evaluator of staff. Gets outcoached when faced with comparable athletes on other sideline. No prior head coaching experience at any level--except HS until Miami. Sounds familiar. He will be recruiting against much more formidable recruiters than when he was recruiting Texas back in 1967, or whenever. Briles and Bailiff will whip his ass for the recruits that Mack, Bob, and yes, even Alf pass on, and he might take a crumb or two from ShermWow and Price. He's like Price in a lot of ways, come to think of it. I don't disagree that it's a big name hire, but that's all it is.

eulessismore · March 5, 2009

To say that Larry Coker can't recruit is wholly laughable. He's recruited Texas for years as an assistant at Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and Miami. He's recruited the whole country for decades in addition to that. The players he's coached into the NFL and the dozen winning bowl teams he's been a part of putting together will sell itself even if he doesn't show the national title ring to the kids. It's a coup for UTSA.
But, as hard-headed as some of you are, you'll simply have to watch UTSA surpass us to believe it. It's plain as day. Sadly, it's as plain as day.
Well, at least we've got a good jazz program that UTSA will never match.

Dude, we've got a GREAT jazz program that may be best in the country...or world as we know it! I guess you didn't go to either of the Dave Brubeck concerts last week, or you could have said something good about your alma mater.

Here's a link; be enlightened:

DMN lavish praise for Brubeck, UNT musicians.

And notice this truth: James N. Scott, dean of the University of North Texas College of Music, introduced the concert as one that "couldn't have been done anywhere else on the planet."

oldguystudent · March 5, 2009

Dude, we've got a GREAT jazz program that may be best in the country...or world as we know it! I guess you didn't go to either of the Dave Brubeck concerts last week, or you could have said something good about your alma mater.
Here's a link; be enlightened:
DMN lavish praise for Brubeck, UNT musicians.
And notice this truth: James N. Scott, dean of the University of North Texas College of Music, introduced the concert as one that "couldn't have been done anywhere else on the planet."

As a guy who spent a good number of years listening to KJAZZ 88.1 out of Long Beach State, your superlatives may be construed as fightin' words!

eulessismore · March 5, 2009

As a guy who spent a good number of years listening to KJAZZ 88.1 out of Long Beach State, your superlatives may be construed as fightin' words!

Then, make your case!

UNT_playmaker · March 5, 2009

Amazing. A school with no team yet scores a former national title winning coach.
We really are stupid at North Texas. We've got people pooh-poohing a school that will jump past us in, probably, less than five years of existence.
Guys like Schnellenberger, Leavitt, and Coker sign onto non-existent teams. We've been at it for 100+ years and have hired two high school coaches in 15 years (Parker in 91, Dodge in 06).
No one sleeps at the wheel like our leaderships. If Texas State...nevermind...when Texas State...forget it.

Our amazing Athletic Director doesnt know how to court potential coaches, we dont carry any weight, and UTSA got a really good Div 1 football coach and wont even have a football team for several seasons, this speaks volumes in regards to what our program has gone through for the past two seasons and what we have to look forward for this season. High school football championship speaks volumes here at UNT, thats all I can say.

Maybe those potential coaches saw no potential in this program. Lets hope all of that changes when Todd Dodge's tenure is over later on this season. Let hope we have a different AD calling the shots.

Green Dozer · March 5, 2009

2 pages devoted to a coaching hire where they have not even kicked off, amazing. First, UTSA is going to have to get some support. Talk about a commuter school, they had mainly graduate programs until a few years ago. It is so much a research university that it had PHD's teaching freshman level classes. People in San Antonio are not going to turn out in droves to support this. The Alamo Bowl does not even sell out on a regular basis. And speaking of the Alamo Dome, playing there is no big deal. Just ask Rice and Houston about playing off campus in the local big stadium. Kids don't care about that, they want to play in a college game day atmosphere, and that stadium will look empty with >10,000 fans if that many.

And so what about Larry Coker. So many skins on the wall, and this is the first breath of life into his coaching career since he was fired. And as another note, you talk about Schnellenberger. Great job at Miami and Louisville. Gets the keys to OU and can't walk a straight line long enough to make the best of a tremendous opportunity. Schools are not exactly beating his door down in South Florida to rescue him from the Sun Belt. You know, when you prove yourself at the smaller school it really pays off.

Even sadder is that we are wasting our energy concerning UTSA. Rather than look behind us, why don't we look forward to see how we can catch the Houston's, Tulsa's, and TCU's of college football. And to the TFLF, Dr. B is looking for your $1 million dollar stimulus/endowment to do all the things you want done for this program. It takes money.

Edited March 5, 2009 by Green Dozer

eulessismore · March 5, 2009

2 pages devoted to a coaching hire where they have not even kicked off, amazing. First, UTSA is going to have to get some support. Talk about a commuter school, they had mainly graduate programs until a few years ago. It is so much a research university that it had PHD's teaching freshman level classes. People in San Antonio are not going to turn out in droves to support this. The Alamo Bowl does not even sell out on a regular basis. And speaking of the Alamo Dome, playing there is no big deal. Just ask Rice and Houston about playing off campus in the local big stadium. Kids don't care about that, they want to play in a college game day atmosphere, and that stadium will look empty with >10,000 fans if that many.
And so what about Larry Coker. So many skins on the wall, and this is the first breath of life into his coaching career since he was fired. And as another note, you talk about Schnellenberger. Great job at Miami and Louisville. Gets the keys to OU and can't walk a straight line long enough to make the best of a tremendous opportunity. Schools are not exactly beating his door down in South Florida to rescue him from the Sun Belt. You know, when you prove yourself at the smaller school it really pays off.
Even sadder is that we are wasting our energy concerning UTSA. Rather than look behind us, why don't we look forward to see how we can catch the Houston's, Tulsa's, and TCU's of college football. And to the TFLF, Dr. B is looking for your $1 million dollar stimulus/endowment to do all the things you want done for this program. It takes money.

Hey, I know times are tough Lonnie. I'm just looking for the link to that web site you mentioned creating; you know, back when you were going to quit posting here?

Green Dozer · March 5, 2009

Well, it's all relative.
Dodge won at Southlake. So f'n hard. Brilliant the way he built that program from scratch, ya know?

4 and 1 in state title games, they had won3 before he got there. Lost 11 games in his 6 years, his predecessor lost 24. How many titles have they won since he left in 2006? Oh, none. Yea, I guess there are 500 coaches who could have done as good as he did. And what has happened at UNT is not all his fault by any stretch. After all, lets see how many great coaches before him used this grand opportunity to launch their careers, go ahead, how many? 70% of our head coaches have had losing records here. Brilliant the way all the coaches before him built our program, ya know? It is so f'n easy here.

Edited March 5, 2009 by Green Dozer

greenminer · March 5, 2009

4 and 1 in state title games, they had won3 before he got there. Lost 11 games in his 6 years, his predecessor lost 24. How many titles have they won since he left in 2006? Oh, none. Yea, I guess there are 500 coaches who could have done as good as he did. And what has happened at UNT is not all his fault by any stretch. After all, lets see how many great coaches before him used this grand opportunity to launch their careers, go ahead, how many? 70% of our head coaches have had losing records here. Brilliant the way all the coaches before him built our program, ya know? It is so f'n easy here.

Are you trying to downplay my Southlake point by arguing they had ONLY won 3 state titles before he arrived, and by not mentioning that his 40+ game winning isn't the longest? There may not be 500 coaches out there that could have done as good as he did at Southlake, but I think there were a few who could hold a candle to his match.

Maybe his Southlake rep is all you need to be content with a few 2 winning seasons. Unfortunately for us, it wasn't enough for some of his players.

So is UNT cursed? Are we to blame everything besides the coaches for their failures? Dodge has more resources than anyone in our coaching history including the cementing of an athletic fee and promise of a stadium. Dickey, by all accounts on this board, was a bastard coach under a crap circumstance. But all he needed was one solid class and he ran with it to 4 straight Sun Belt titles.

I think we'll both agree that he needs to start showing massive improvement this year. We're not asking for a national title, or to compete with Florida State. If we go through another 1 or 2 win season, then how will the Dodge defenders shape up?

Hopefully, we won't be at that point come December. I do like to think year 2 under DeLoach (coupled with the new college staff) will provide that opportunity.

Edited March 5, 2009 by greenminer

Green Dozer · March 5, 2009

Are you trying to downplay my Southlake point by arguing they had ONLY won 3 state titles before he arrived, and by not mentioning that his 40+ game winning isn't the longest? There may not be 500 coaches out there that could have done as good as he did at Southlake, but I think there were a few who could hold a candle to his match.
Maybe his Southlake rep is all you need to be content with a few 2 winning seasons. Unfortunately for us, it wasn't enough for some of his players.
So is UNT cursed? Are we to blame everything besides the coaches for their failures? Dodge has more resources than anyone in our coaching history including the cementing of an athletic fee and promise of a stadium. Dickey, by all accounts on this board, was a bastard coach under a crap circumstance. But all he needed was one solid class and he ran with it to 4 straight Sun Belt titles.
I think we'll both agree that he needs to start showing massive improvement this year. We're not asking for a national title, or to compete with Florida State. If we go through another 1 or 2 win season, then how will the Dodge defenders shape up?
Hopefully, we won't be at that point come December. I do like to think year 2 under DeLoach (coupled with the new college staff) will provide that opportunity.

Not downplaying, but the man lead the team to 5 state title games, and his loss there was no blowout. You just seem to think he showed up for the games and just stood on the sideline. NO, the Southlake rep is not at all making me content, but I am realistic in where our program was and still is at the present time. Sorry, but we have a long long way to go. And with the 17 coaches we hired, why have none of them brought some life here. The only difference between us and schools who built/starter a program over a 10 year period is that we actually fielded a team over the first few years of a 10 year plan. Dickey won at a time when we were ahead of people in the sunbelt, now we are behind. The key ingredients in a successful athletic program is actually two. Both the teams and the alumni must do their parts. That has not happened here, and unitl it does, this quagmire will not improve much. Has it improved over the past 10 years, yes. I do not want to be a flash in the pan program, I want to compete every year.

More resources? Please Miner. First, there is no money from the fee yet, and no set date for the stadium. Rumors, hopes yes. But nothing in concrete. 18 year olds worry about today, not 3 or 4 years down the road Did donations increase? Some say it did, but so has the cost of travel, insurance, equipment, medical care, all the expenses it costs to do business have risen significantly since Dickey left. So that is a wash.

I cannot speak for the rest of the Dodge defenders, but if Dodge only wins 1 or 2 games this season, I can tell you where I will be. I will be right here still defending him, as I see more things happening that are worth some losing that will lead to winning consistently down the road. If you want to stay in the Sun Belt, then lets change coaches again, and set things back another 10 years. I would not trade Dodge for Coker, Schnellenberger, or the crook at Troy. I am willing to give Dodge the length of his contract to get this thing going, and if it does not happen until his last season, then so be it.

Now, please pass a few Shiner Bocks.

untbowler · March 5, 2009

Not downplaying, but the man lead the team to 5 state title games, and his loss there was no blowout. You just seem to think he showed up for the games and just stood on the sideline. NO, the Southlake rep is not at all making me content, but I am realistic in where our program was and still is at the present time. Sorry, but we have a long long way to go. And with the 17 coaches we hired, why have none of them brought some life here. The only difference between us and schools who built/starter a program over a 10 year period is that we actually fielded a team over the first few years of a 10 year plan. Dickey won at a time when we were ahead of people in the sunbelt, now we are behind. The key ingredients in a successful athletic program is actually two. Both the teams and the alumni must do their parts. That has not happened here, and unitl it does, this quagmire will not improve much. Has it improved over the past 10 years, yes. I do not want to be a flash in the pan program, I want to compete every year.
More resources? Please Miner. First, there is no money from the fee yet, and no set date for the stadium. Rumors, hopes yes. But nothing in concrete. 18 year olds worry about today, not 3 or 4 years down the road Did donations increase? Some say it did, but so has the cost of travel, insurance, equipment, medical care, all the expenses it costs to do business have risen significantly since Dickey left. So that is a wash.
I cannot speak for the rest of the Dodge defenders, but if Dodge only wins 1 or 2 games this season, I can tell you where I will be. I will be right here still defending him, as I see more things happening that are worth some losing that will lead to winning consistently down the road. If you want to stay in the Sun Belt, then lets change coaches again, and set things back another 10 years. I would not trade Dodge for Coker, Schnellenberger, or the crook at Troy. I am willing to give Dodge the length of his contract to get this thing going, and if it does not happen until his last season, then so be it.
Now, please pass a few Shiner Bocks.

Glad to know that you will be content with remaining on the S.S. Dodge for better or worse, but the excuses are out there. Dickey did not have the benefit of a positive vote by the students regarding a new stadium/athletic fee, so argument is lost there.

Dodge has been given the full backing of RV, one can easily see that RV never had the hip hugging with Dickey as he was already looking to ax him early in his tenure.

As for the Sun Belt, why do we still continue to complain about such a piss poor confence, yet very few of our team rarely finish in the Top 4-5 in a majority of sports. Do you think if we moved to the WAC we would be instantly better? No we would be stuck at the bottom with the likes of Idaho and Utah State, rather than WKU and FIU.

greenminer · March 5, 2009

More resources:

Higher salaries

The promise of a stadium. Not a resource? If he used it to sway recruits here, it's a resource.

The backing of the students, as evidenced by the record voter turnout and results.

A dedicated S&C coach to begin this year.

3000 in attendance to show their support at his first spring game.

3 classes that were on paper better than what DD brought in.

Practice fields and athlete dorms? I forget when those were built, but I dont' think we named that after Dickey while he was here.

Okay, okay. He had some schollies revoked. And apparently, the 2007 class is not awesome anymore because Dodge didn't have enough time.

With the exception of visible improvements on the defensive side late last year, I have not seen much to give me hope. I wish I knew everything you do, because apparently you see things going on behind the scenes that will mean winning later. I'm glad the kids are passing and proud of them. But getting that A does not mean you hit like Buckles.

Dodge has now conceded that he was not prepared for the speed of D-1 CBs. He also conceded that he underestimated the impact Brandon Jackson's absence would have.

I really hope at the end of the season he is not admitting any other mistakes he might be making right now.

I'm done. This is all recycled arguments. GMG, Dozer

SilverEagle · March 5, 2009

More resources:
Higher salaries
The promise of a stadium. Not a resource? If he used it to sway recruits here, it's a resource.
The backing of the students, as evidenced by the record voter turnout and results.
A dedicated S&C coach to begin this year.
3000 in attendance to show their support at his first spring game.
3 classes that were on paper better than what DD brought in.
Practice fields and athlete dorms? I forget when those were built, but I dont' think we named that after Dickey while he was here.
Okay, okay. He had some schollies revoked. And apparently, the 2007 class is not awesome anymore because Dodge didn't have enough time.
With the exception of visible improvements on the defensive side late last year, I have not seen much to give me hope. I wish I knew everything you do, because apparently you see things going on behind the scenes that will mean winning later. I'm glad the kids are passing and proud of them. But getting that A does not mean you hit like Buckles.
Dodge has now conceded that he was not prepared for the speed of D-1 CBs. He also conceded that he underestimated the impact Brandon Jackson's absence would have.
I really hope at the end of the season he is not admitting any other mistakes he might be making right now.
I'm done. This is all recycled arguments. GMG, Dozer

Since Brandon Jackson was brought in by a coach known for his running games and boring offense, I find it very ironic that our (alleged) pass master coach is implying that he (Jackson) was probably better than any of his recruits.

Green Dozer · March 5, 2009

Glad to know that you will be content with remaining on the S.S. Dodge for better or worse, but the excuses are out there. Dickey did not have the benefit of a positive vote by the students regarding a new stadium/athletic fee, so argument is lost there.
Dodge has been given the full backing of RV, one can easily see that RV never had the hip hugging with Dickey as he was already looking to ax him early in his tenure.
As for the Sun Belt, why do we still continue to complain about such a piss poor confence, yet very few of our team rarely finish in the Top 4-5 in a majority of sports. Do you think if we moved to the WAC we would be instantly better? No we would be stuck at the bottom with the likes of Idaho and Utah State, rather than WKU and FIU.

Not content for worse, but the constant changing of coaches since Fry has not worked either. We need to give somebody a chance and 2 years is not enough. How many players left Fayetteville since the latest genius arrived there? Stadium vote has nothing to do from the past two seasons. Do you have a copy of the start date for the stadium that you received from Dr. B and the board of regents? Please post a copy. The stadium is not going to have the ESPN 150 lined up to play here, it is not the cure all. I do not see where you think I wanted to go to the WAC, but we would improve in a conference like Conf USA just because of the fact we would play a lot more regional teams which generate more fan interest, thus more interest from recruits.

Edited March 5, 2009 by Green Dozer

Green Dozer · March 5, 2009

More resources:
Higher salaries
The promise of a stadium. Not a resource? If he used it to sway recruits here, it's a resource.
The backing of the students, as evidenced by the record voter turnout and results.
A dedicated S&C coach to begin this year.
3000 in attendance to show their support at his first spring game.
3 classes that were on paper better than what DD brought in.
Practice fields and athlete dorms? I forget when those were built, but I dont' think we named that after Dickey while he was here.
Okay, okay. He had some schollies revoked. And apparently, the 2007 class is not awesome anymore because Dodge didn't have enough time.
With the exception of visible improvements on the defensive side late last year, I have not seen much to give me hope. I wish I knew everything you do, because apparently you see things going on behind the scenes that will mean winning later. I'm glad the kids are passing and proud of them. But getting that A does not mean you hit like Buckles.
Dodge has now conceded that he was not prepared for the speed of D-1 CBs. He also conceded that he underestimated the impact Brandon Jackson's absence would have.
I really hope at the end of the season he is not admitting any other mistakes he might be making right now.
I'm done. This is all recycled arguments. GMG, Dozer

Just one more thing Miner. Dodge wanted a dedicated strength coach from day one, Admin would not allow it. I guess they couldn't because of the higher salary issues that you have mentioned. As for facilities, i will give you that, but many high schools are just as nice. What does 3000 at the spring game have to do with anything? Do they award points for that? Students tore down the goal posts when Dickey was here, lot of support then to. We also now have tailgating, did not have it at this level then. That gets a lot of people to the parking lot, now if we could just move the tailgating into the stadium for the game, think what we would do. GMG, and have a great day Miner! I owe you a Bock and I will make good on it first home game!

Edited March 5, 2009 by Green Dozer

UNTLifer · March 5, 2009

Here's another viewpoint of LC:
*******************************************************
"Recruiting rankings are misleading and at Miami, they really don't matter. The U has always been about getting the 'right' players, not just the highly-touted ones. Ed Reed was an under the radar kid from Louisiana. FSU was his dream school, but they didn't want him. He chose Miami over Tulane. Santana Moss was a local Miami product who came to The U on a track scholarship. Clinton Portis left Gainesville for Miami because Butch Davis saw him a a RB but Steve Spurrier wanted to move him to CB.
Coker didn't (1) have the ability to sniff out Miami-caliber talent, (2) didn't know how to recruit his own backyard, (3) didn't have in roads with Miami high school coaches and (4) didn't know how to recruit position-wise. Year after year he didn't address needs. Between 2001-2006, Coker never recruited ONE quarterback who panned out. He had about four defect at the last minute, going elsewhere and with no back up plan.
Coker didn't even have a recruiting coordinator on board during his six-year run. Further proof how in over his head he was from day one. He was able to land some highly-ranked kids, but again, they never panned out.
Willie Williams was a risk from the get go. Five-star wideout Ryan Moore turned into a head case that never reached his potential under Country Club Larry. Five-star Aikeem Jolla never reached his potential either, transferring to New Mexico State his final year. Lance Leggett, another five-star that fizzled.
Coker promoted Rob Chudzinski to OC in 2001, which worked out... but he failed miserably with his next few hires. Dan Werner was promoted from within and was a bust. Look as his resume. He was never Miami OC material, but Larry, in over his head as head coach, had no clue how to conduct a search for a quality OC.
When Werner fizzled, the washed up Rich Olson was brought on board, as the university's choice and Coker brought in buddy Todd Berry as co-OC and QB coach. Olson and Berry failed as well.
Things are getting back to normal at The U. 2009 will be a rough year, due to the schedule, but by 2010 you'll see that Miami is 'back'. Only then will outsiders realize what a cancer to the program Larry Coker was.
Coker almost blew it in 2001 with the best college team in history (close calls at Boston College and Virginia Tech) and he was outcoached against Ohio State, even though he had Ken Dorsey, Kellen Winslow II, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee and Roscoe Parrish on offense.
His legend grew because of a 24-0 start, but once it was his team and his players, we saw what a fraud Coker was. It took a few years for things to fall apart completely and it'll take Shannon the same amount of time to get it right again."
"When Miami went on the run in 2001, I wasn't thinking about Coker. I was smitten by the 12-0 run by arguably the most dominant college football team (or at least most talented) of all time.
I started getting wary in 2002 when another talented Miami team seemed to be underachieving. Close games against Rutgers and Pittsburgh. Giving up 45 in the finale against Virginia Tech. The Canes didn't look focused, which is on the coaching staff. Coker simply didn't have the kids ready. They were on autopilot in '01 and Ed Reed was coaching the team more than Larry C.
Coker officially lost me with the 2003 Fiesta Bowl 'loss' against Ohio State. Granted the Buckeyes were a gritty bunch and played solid defense, Coker got the pants coached off him by Jim Tressel -- who has since been exposed over the years by faster, more athletic teams.
How Miami was only able to score 14 points in 59:59 of football with Ken Dorsey, Kellen Winslow II, Andre Johnson, Willis McGahee and Roscoe Parrish on offense... It was as if Coker had no game plan and though the team would just will themselves to another win. Even more frustrating, his lack of a reaction when Terry Porter threw that bogus flag.
Back-to-back national championships were on the line and a 35-game win streak.... and old man looks like a deer in headlights.
I started losing faith in Coker after the Fiesta Bowl and officially knew Miami was screwed in fall 2003. After a 31-7 loss at Virginia Tech, Miami faceplanted the following week -- at home -- to an average Tennessee team, 10-6.
Up to that point, the last team anyone ever wanted to play was Miami the week after a loss -- in the Orange Bowl, no less. That loss was an abortion. The team was flat, which showed me they didn't respect their coach and he couldn't get them past the loss -- their first regular season "L" in over three years.
The 10-6 loss to Tennessee was the first time Miami hadn't scored a touchdown at home since the 1984 season. Even during the probation years (late 90s) against good Florida State teams (1996, 1998) Miami could still muster up a few TDs.... yet against a sub par UT team the week after a loss, the Canes were flat.
I was 1000% done with Coker in November 2003."
********************************************************
Poor evaluator of talent. Poor evaluator of staff. Gets outcoached when faced with comparable athletes on other sideline. No prior head coaching experience at any level--except HS until Miami. Sounds familiar. He will be recruiting against much more formidable recruiters than when he was recruiting Texas back in 1967, or whenever. Briles and Bailiff will whip his ass for the recruits that Mack, Bob, and yes, even Alf pass on, and he might take a crumb or two from ShermWow and Price. He's like Price in a lot of ways, come to think of it. I don't disagree that it's a big name hire, but that's all it is.

Another beautiful find by LongJim and even more beautiful silence out of TFLF.

Quoner · March 5, 2009

Hey, I know times are tough Lonnie. I'm just looking for the link to that web site you mentioned creating; you know, back when you were going to quit posting here?

Yeah - people who promise new web sites on a specific time line and fail miserably at reaching those deadlines should be crucified! CRUCIFIED I SAY!

KRAM1 · March 5, 2009

Larry Coker > Todd Dodge
AlamoDome > Fouts Field / Even if we get a new stadium
San Antonio > Denton
But other than that we own the Roadrunners , right ??

Glad to see that you are your same positive self! Always nice to know that everything is in its rightful place. I happen to think that playing on campus is a much better deal than some off-site location. I recall the games when Texas Stadium was the Mean Green's home field. While I have some very nice memories of some big UNT wins at Texas Stadium, the atmosphere of on-campus stadiums is very hard to beat. And, with UNT building that new stadium I would definitely give UNT the edge in stadiums. As far as cities...I enjoy San Antonio, but prefer to live in Denton. It was a great place to raise our thhree kids, etc. As to coaches...yea, Coker has a national championship...good for him, but hard for me to believe he will do it again in San Antonio.

While a national championship for UNT may not be on the horizon soon...winning IS. Would Coker be a nice coach for UNT, maybe? But, I'll stay with Dodge for awhile. I think 2009 will see the start of some nice seasons for the Mean Green with Dodge as head coach.

If San Antonio and Coker are your thing, great...go for it. But, don't forget to but you Mean Green season tickets! GO MEAN GREEN!!

greenminer · March 5, 2009

Another beautiful find by LongJim and even more beautiful silence out of TFLF.

It's 12:40. Give him time. :lol:

greenminer · March 5, 2009

LongJim's post was a great read for me about Coker.

Unfortunately, I fear I just read Dodge's bio in about 40 years, minus the National Title.

Hopefully that's not the case!

TheTastyGreek · March 5, 2009

Since Brandon Jackson was brought in by a coach known for his running games and boring offense, I find it very ironic that our (alleged) pass master coach is implying that he (Jackson) was probably better than any of his recruits.

I don't even so much care about the recruiting angle... I just shiver when I think that our brilliant offensive guru didn't realize that losing Jackson would impact the offense in a significant, negative way.

TheTastyGreek · March 5, 2009

One other thing I'd like to point out to the Coker vs. Dodge people...

Coker's teams know how to beat Florida International.

FNypDGoC_8M

Until Dodge finally solves the riddle of the Golden Panthers, I think Coker has Sun Belt Scoreboard on him by T.K.O.

Edited March 5, 2009 by TheTastyGreek

UNTLifer · March 5, 2009

Now, please pass a few Shiner Bocks.

**WARNING**

HIGHJACK IN PROGRESS:

Speaking of Shiner, anyone tried the Shiner 100 and care to give a critique?

Quoner · March 5, 2009

**WARNING**
HIGHJACK IN PROGRESS:
Speaking of Shiner, anyone tried the Shiner 100 and care to give a critique?

no, but my local watering hole has it on tap this month and has been out of it the last 3 times I went. I want to dry it on draft first and am starting to get frustrated by the wait.