Fire Coker; Rebuild The Miami Hurricanes

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:.

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