2006 Miami Hurricanes football team
Encyclopedia
The 2006 Miami Hurricanes football team
represented the University of Miami
during the 2006 college football season. The team's head coach was Larry Coker
.
Coaches Poll and #12 in the Associated Press Poll after going 9-3 (6-2 ACC) in 2005
with a #18 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll (#17 AP).
Junior quarterback Kyle Wright finished second to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
wide receiver Calvin Johnson
in voting for the ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
Earlier during the summer, head coach Larry Coker announced that running back Tyrone Moss, receiver Ryan Moore, linebacker James Bryant, and receiver Rashaun Jones would be suspended for the first game of the season against Florida State for violating team policy. On August 26, Coker announced that Moore's suspension would be extended indefinitely. Moore would eventually return for the final two regular season games.
After back-to-back 9-3 seasons at Miami, where expectations are to compete for a national championship every year, it was widely believed that Coker was on the proverbial hot seat and needed to take the Hurricanes to a BCS
bowl to keep his job. In the wake of last year's Peach Bowl loss, Coker fired four assistant coaches. During the offseason, Coker hired Rich Olson as his new offensive coordinator in an attempt to reinvigorate the Hurricane offense. Olson had previously served as Miami's offensive coordinator during the early 90s under then-head coach Dennis Erickson
.
ESPN
college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit
picked Miami to win the 2006 national championship, predicting the Hurricanes would defeat Notre Dame
in the national championship game.
See also 2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
This was the third time in the last three years that archrivals Miami and Florida State opened the season against each other. The previous two games were also low-scoring defensive struggles, with the Hurricanes winning, 16-10, in overtime in 2004, and the Seminoles prevailing, 10-7, in 2005.
The game was the most-viewed college football game, regular season or bowl, in the history of ESPN
, averaging 6,330,000 million households in viewership (6.9 rating). It was also the second-highest rated game in ESPN history, behind only the 1994 game between Miami and FSU, which notched a 7.7 rating
This was the seventh meeting between Miami and Florida A&M. Miami continues to lead the all-time series, 6-1. The two teams had last met in 2002, with Miami winning, 63-17.
This was the eleventh meeting between the schools. Prior to this game, Miami had never lost to Louisville, owning an all-time record of 9-0-1. Miami won the previous meeting in 2004, 41-38, in a game in which the Hurricanes had to rally late from a 17-point deficit. After this humiliating loss to Louisville, Miami became unranked for the first time in 107 weeks - the then-longest current streak in college football. The game was highlighted by a pre-game confrontation between the teams that was sparked when several Miami players provocatively stomped on the Louisville Cardinal bird logo located at mid-field of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
. Four other teams (East Carolina
, South Florida
, Cincinnati
, and Rutgers) had stomped on the logo in the past, and each wound up losing the game.
In the eighteenth meeting between the schools, Miami extended the all-time series lead to 11-7. Miami won 14-13, after a 27 yard gain on 3rd and 24 which led to a touchdown pass by Kyle Wright to James Bryant and gave Miami the win. Freshman RB Javarris James
set a school rushing record for freshman by posting 148 rushing yards, breaking the previous record of 147 rushing yards set by Clinton Portis. Prior to the game, a number of airplanes hired by Miami fans unhappy with the team's poor start circled over the Orange Bowl while carrying banners demanding the firing of the embattled Coker, as well as Athletic Director Paul Dee.
Freshman Javarris James further solidified his hold on the starting running back position by rushing for over 100 yards for the second consecutive week. James carried 16 times for 111 yards (6.9 ypc), including a dazzling 62-yard touchdown run in the third quarter which put the game out of reach. Tight end
Greg Olsen had his best game of the season, catching 8 passes for 95 yards, while the Miami defense limited North Carolina to just 244 yards of total offense and forced 3 Tar Heel turnovers. The win gave Miami its first winning streak of the 2006 campaign as the Hurricanes improved to 3-2 overall. It was also Miami's first ACC win of the year, evening its conference record at 1-1.
This was the first meeting between the Hurricanes and the crosstown Golden Panthers, who began active competition as a football program in 2002. Kyle Wright threw for three touchdowns, and the Miami defense held the Golden Panthers to 148 total yards.
However, this game would become one of the biggest embarrassments in the history of both schools. After trash-talk between players from both teams during the opening minutes, and an incident in which FIU wide receiver Chandler Williams dove helmet-first into a prone Kenny Phillips after Miami intercepted a pass, the game turned truly ugly in the third quarter.
After James Bryant caught Wright's second TD pass, he pointed to the FIU bench and bowed to the crowd, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his act. At the end of the ensuing conversion, FIU's Chris Smith wrestled Miami holder Matt Perelli to the ground and punched him. Another Golden Panther, Marshall McDuffie Jr., kicked Perelli on the ground. Players from each side joined the pile, and both benches quickly emptied, with fights breaking out in several parts of the field. Several players from both teams threw punches, Miami cornerback Brandon Meriweather was seen trying to stomp on FIU players, and another Golden Panther, Amod Ned, was seen swinging a crutch at Miami players. During the melee, Canes safety Anthony Reddick ran across the field and swung his helmet at FIU cornerback Robert Mitchell, hitting him.
Five Canes were ejected—Carlos Armour, Chris Barney, Bruce Johnson, Charlie Jones, and Derrick Morse. Eight Golden Panthers were ejected as well. Coach Larry Coker also indefinitely suspended Meriweather and Reddick for their parts in the fracas, plus Bryant for his taunting gesture that arguably triggered the melee.
In the aftermath, Coker called the brawl "disgraceful," adding the following day, "I don't have many bad days. This is a bad day. And last night was a bad night." For his part, FIU head coach Don Strock
said "I can promise you that this will never happen again." Other officials from both universities also publicly apologized.
The day after the game, the ACC suspended a total of 13 Miami players, and the Sun Belt Conference suspended 18 FIU players.
Playing without 13 players who were suspended for their actions in the previous week's brawl with FIU, and missing starting tight end Greg Olsen and starting linebacker Jon Beason due to injury, the shorthanded 'Canes raced out to a 20-2 third quarter lead behind strong play from QB Kyle Wright. Underdog Duke would not give up, though, rallying to score two unanswered fourth quarter touchdowns to trim Miami's lead to 20-15 (Duke failed to convert a two-point conversion attempt on the second touchdown). Meanwhile, the Duke defense put the clamps on Miami's running game, holding the Hurricanes to a paltry 37 yards rushing on 25 carries (1.5 ypc) for the game. Duke, however, could not capitalize on two opportunities to take the lead. After driving down to the Miami 29-yard line with less than 3:30 remaining in the game, Duke was stopped on a fourth down attempt and turned the ball over to Miami. Duke's defense would bend, as Miami drove down to the Duke 34, but Duke was able to stop Miami on third down. Faced with a 4th-and-2 from Duke's 34-yard line with inside 2:15 remaining, Miami head coach Larry Coker
elected to punt and rely on his vaunted defense rather than go for it on fourth down or attempt a long field goal.
Duke took over from its own 11-yard line and strung together an impressive drive that brought the Blue Devils down to the Hurricanes' 6-yard line with :03 remaining in the game. On third down and with time expiring, Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis' threw a pass intended for wide receiver
Eron Riley in the left side of the endzone. However, Miami safety Willie Cooper was lying in wait and was able to jump the route and intercept Lewis' pass at the goal line. Cooper returned the ball all the way to the Duke 15-yard line before voluntarily falling to the ground to end the game and deny Duke what would have been a momentous upset.
Wright completed 23 of 41 passes for 291 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Duke wide receiver Jomar Wright was impressive in defeat, catching 10 passes for 170 yards against Miami's makeshift secondary. Miami sophomore safety Kenny Phillips intercepted three passes, tying a school record. Phillips was named the ACC
's Defensive Back of the Week for his stellar play.
Miami improved to 5-2 on the year with a 2-1 ACC record, setting up a showdown the next week with Georgia Tech
for control of the ACC's Coastal Division.
Georgia Tech (5-2, 3-1 ACC) entered the game in first place in the ACC's Coastal Division, leading second-place Miami (5-2, 2-1 ACC) by 1/2 a game in the standings. The winner of this showdown would gain control its own destiny and be able to assure itself of a berth in the ACC Championship by winning the remainder of its games.
Miami got on the board first when Georgia Tech quarterback
Reggie Ball fumbled the ball at the Georgia Tech 18-yard line during the Yellow Jackets opening drive. Miami linebacker
Glenn Cook returned the fumble for a Miami touchdown. After Miami forced a punt on the Jackets next possession, Javarris James
broke a 49-yard run that setup a 38-yard field goal from Jon Peattie, putting Miami ahead, 10-0. Georgia Tech would answer with a 12-play, 53-yard drive on its ensuing possession, highlighted by a 43-yard pass from Ball to receiver Calvin Johnson
that setup a 39-yard field goal from Travis Bell, cutting the Miami lead to 10-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Miami would add another field goal early in the second quarter to push its lead to 13-3. After a 22-yard punt by Miami's Brian Monroe gave Georgia Tech the ball at the Miami 46-yard line, Tech scored a touchdown on its very first play when Ball connected with James Johnson for a 46-yard touchdown strike, bringing the Jackets within 3. Georgia Tech would later intercept a Kyle Wright
pass in Miami territory, which enabled the Jackets to add a game-tying field goal before the half.
On its first possession of the second half, Miami moved the ball 69-yards before the drive was ended when receiver Lance Leggett fumbled at the Georgia Tech 10-yard line. Miami would force Georgia Tech to go three-and-out before embarking on a long 14-play, 54-yard drive that ate up 6:59 and ended with another Peattie field goal, putting the Hurricanes back in front, 16-13.
Georgia Tech would respond with 17 unanswered fourth quarter points. The first three came by way of a 39-yard field goal from Bell. That drive was not without controversy, however, as replays appeared to show Miami safety Brandon Meriweather intercept a pass from Ball on a 2nd-and-11 from the Miami 31. The play was ruled an incomplete pass by the referees on the field. Curiously, the officials in the replay booth declined to initiate an instant replay review of the play, nor did Miami coach Larry Coker, who still had one timeout remaining, initiate a coach's challenge. Instead of Miami taking over with its lead intact, Georgia Tech retained possession, and, after picking up nine yards on third down, successfully kicked a game-tying field goal from the Miami 22.
The Jackets would force Miami to punt, and, on its next possession, Georgia Tech went 74-yards on 9-plays, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Ball to Johnson. On Miami's next possession, Wright was sacked by Adamm Oliver and fumbled at the Miami 35. The ball was recovered by Georgia Tech's Kamichael Hall, who returned it eight yards to the Miami 27. Two plays later, running back Tashard Choice
ran for a 25-yard touchdown, giving Georgia Tech a 30-16 lead with 3:30 remaining, seemingly sealing the game.
Miami, however, made things interesting when Wright hooked up with tight end Greg Olsen for a 41-yard touchdown pass on the third play of Miami's next possession, making the score 30-23 with just 2:10 remaining in the game. Interestingly, Coker, who only had one timeout left, elected to kick deep on the ensuing kickoff rather than attempt an onside kick
. Miami was able to force Georgia Tech to punt and was set to take possession with less than :30 remaining and no timeouts. However, Miami punt returner Rashaun Jones fumbled the punt and the ball was recovered by Georgia Tech's Chris Dunlap, giving Georgia Tech the win.
With the loss, Miami fell to 5-3 (2-2 ACC) on the year, causing the already intense criticism of coach Coker and quarterback Wright to only intensify. James was productive in defeat, gaining 112 yards on 19 carries, while Olsen caught 5 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Virginia Tech avenged a 27-7 loss from the previous year by dealing reeling Miami its fourth loss of the 2006 season. Miami's defense was stout in defeat, holding the visiting Hokies to just 139 yards of total offense (86 passing, 53 rushing). Running back Tyrone Moss, filling in after starter Javarris James
was forced from the game early in the first half with a hip pointer, had a strong game, rushing 13 times for 103 yards. The highlight of Moss' evening was a 50-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter that tied the score at 10. But it was not enough to overcome Miami's sputtering pass offense. Kyle Wright struggled badly, completing just 14 of 29 passes for 84 yards. Wright also threw two critical interceptions late in the game. The first led to what would prove to be Virginia Tech's game winning touchdown, while the second came on the first play of Miami's ensuing possession, essentially sealing the defeat. The homecoming
loss served to only intensify criticism of the struggling Wright, who was booed lustily at times during the game. Coker, the team's embattled head coach, was also the subject of boos from the crowd. The loss was Miami's fifth consecutive against ranked opponents dating back to the previous season's Peach Bowl loss to LSU
, and ensured Miami of its first four-loss season since 1999.
, starting in place of the injured Kyle Wright, played well in his first collegiate start, completing 14 of 27 passes for 140 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Freeman also rushed for 51 yards on 9 carries. However, a couple of long pass plays surrendered by the Hurricane defense early in the game proved to be the difference. Maryland took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter when quarterback Sam Hollenbach hooked up with receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey on a 65-yard touchdown pass. Hollenbach would find Heyward-Bey again in the second quarter for a 96-yard touchdown pass, both the longest pass play in Maryland history and the longest pass ever surrendered by Miami. Miami would fight back, though, and cut the Maryland lead to one point in the fourth quarter. But after forcing Maryland to punt with 1:14 to go in the game, Miami returner Bruce Johnson fumbled the punt and Maryland recovered, enabling the Terrapins to run the clock out and walk away with the victory. Miami dominated the game statistically, racking up 320 yards and 18 first downs while holding the ball for 37:09, compared to just 258 yards, 6 first downs, and 22:51 of possession for Maryland, but was unable to convert that statistical advantage into a victory. Maryland fans stormed the field in celebration after the final whistle.
The loss was Miami's sixth straight against a ranked opponent, and was the third straight loss, and fourth loss overall, in which the Canes had a chance to tie or win the game on their final possession, but squandered the opportunity with a turnover.
Miami lost its fourth straight game, losing to the Virginia Cavaliers for the first time in four all-time meetings. Miami's problems on offense continued, as the Hurricanes were only able to muster one offensive touchdown for the fourth consecutive game, while the Virginia offense picked apart the Miami defense. Jameel Sewell was the star of the Cavalier offense, connecting on 23 of 33 passes for 217 yards and running for a pair of touchdowns. Virginia also became the first team all season to rush for over 100 yards against Miami's defense, racking up 134 yards on the ground. Freshman running back Javarris James ran for 95 yards on 21 carries in defeat. Quarterback Kirby Freeman, making his second collegiate start after Kyle Wright underwent season-ending thumb injury earlier in the week, completed 11 of 18 passes for 152 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
With the Hurricanes dropping to 5-6 (2-5 ACC), they would need to win their final game of the season against Boston College in order to become bowl eligible.
In a Thanksgiving night primetime nationally televised game, Miami upset #18 Boston College at the Orange Bowl, 17-14, to win its 15th straight game against BC. The Hurricanes won behind a dominating defense that held the Eagles to under 200 yards of total offense and an offense that made just enough plays to overcome a 14-3 first half deficit. With the win, Miami became bowl eligible and denied BC a potential berth in the ACC Championship Game. The win was Miami's first of the year over a ranked opponent.
The game was played on the 22nd anniversary of the immortal "Hail Flutie" game, which was the last time Boston College defeated Miami.
MPC Computers Bowl
On November 29, 2006, Miami accepted an invitation to play against the Nevada Wolf Pack
in the MPC Computers Bowl
at Bronco Stadium
in Boise, Idaho
on December 31. Playing in 20 degree temperatures, quarterback Kirby Freeman
completed 11 of 19 passes for 272 yards and led Miami to a 21-20 victory in coach Larry Coker's final game. Freeman, who also rushed for a touchdown, was named the game's Most Valuable Player. The win was clinched when Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe was intercepted by Chavez Grant at the Miami 33 yard line with :18 remaining in the game. After the game, Coker was carried off the field by his players.
The win improved Miami's record to 7-6, making the 2006 campaign Miami's ninth straight winning season.
was shot and killed on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Pata was murdered at The Colony apartment complex in Kendall
by an unknown assailant some time around 7:30 pm.
The Miami-Dade police thus far have declined to release any further information about the specific circumstances of the shooting until they finish interviewing witnesses, but have ruled the death a homicide
.
Pata was the fourth Miami football player to die in the past ten years. Linebacker Marlin Barnes and a female companion were bludgeoned to death in Barnes' on-campus apartment in 1996 by the woman's jealous ex-lover. In 2002, linebacker Chris Campbell was killed in a car accident. A car accident in 2003 also claimed the life of safety Al Blades.
Pata was described by friends and acquaintances as a "Christian
" with a friendly, outgoing personality. Pata, who was projected to be a third-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft
, also harbored dreams of one day possibly joining the FBI when his football career was over.
The season was the culmination of a gradual decline for the program since it won the national championship in 2001. In each year since, Miami appeared to have taken a step back in terms of national stature and its overall record, going from an undefeated national championship in 2001 to a national championship game loss in 2002 to a two-loss season in 2003 to back-to-back three loss seasons in 2004 and 2005, and a six-loss season in 2006. The team, which had the longest current streak of being ranked in the AP Poll
, fell from the AP Top 25 in 2006 for the first time in 10 seasons.
Most noticeable during the decline were the mounting losses to mediocre programs, the increase in home losses, and a persistently anemic offense.
Only a late season win over Boston College ensured that Miami would finish the season bowl eligible. Since 1983, Miami had failed to play in a bowl game just twice: in 1995, when the program served a one-year bowl suspension, and in 1997, when the Hurricanes, hampered by NCAA scholarship sanctions, finished just 5-6.
Considerable speculation about Larry Coker's job status began to swirl after Miami's loss to Louisville in the third game of the season, which only intensified after the midseason brawl against FIU and the team's four game losing streak late in the season.
As expected, Coker was dismissed on November 24, 2006, the morning after his Hurricanes closed the regular season with a 17-14 upset win over #18 Boston College. Coker would coach the team in its bowl game. As part of the terms of his contract, Coker would receive a buyout in the neighborhood of $2 to $3 million.
head coach Steve Spurrier
, former Wisconsin
head coach Barry Alvarez, and Rutgers
head coach Greg Schiano
. Schiano, a former defensive coordinator at Miami, was reported to be the university's top choice. Schiano discussed the position with Miami Athletic Director Paul Dee, but subsequently removed his name from further consideration. Speculation ran high around Texas Tech
head coach Mike Leach, who was one of only three coaches publicly confirmed as a candidate for the job, but Leach fell out of consideration after an interview with Dee.
After an intensive two-week head coaching search, Miami opted to stay in the family and promoted its highly-regarded defensive coordinator Randy Shannon
to the position of head coach on December 8, 2006. Shannon, who played linebacker at Miami from 1985 through 1988, became just the sixth African-American head coach in NCAA Division I-A football at the time. Shannon took over recruiting duties immediately, but expressed his desire for fired head coach Larry Coker to stay on and coach the team one final time in its season-ending bowl game against Nevada.
Miami Hurricanes football
The Miami Hurricanes football program competes in the Atlantic Coast Conference of the NCAA's Division I Football Bowl Subdivision for the University of Miami. The program began in 1926 and has won five AP national championships...
represented the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
during the 2006 college football season. The team's head coach was Larry Coker
Larry Coker
Larry Edward Coker is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio, whose Roadrunners football team begins play in 2011. From 2001 to 2006, Coker served as the head coach at the University of Miami...
.
Preseason
Miami began the season ranked #11 in the USA TodayUSA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
Coaches Poll and #12 in the Associated Press Poll after going 9-3 (6-2 ACC) in 2005
2005 Miami Hurricanes football team
The 2005 Miami Hurricanes football team began the 2005 season ranked #8/9 after a 9-3 campaign in 2004 that ended with a 27-10 win over rival Florida in the 2005 Peach Bowl.-Season:...
with a #18 ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll (#17 AP).
Junior quarterback Kyle Wright finished second to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets is the name used for all of the intercollegiate athletic teams that play for the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, Georgia. The teams have also been nicknamed the Ramblin' Wreck, Engineers, Blacksmiths, and Golden Tornado. There are 8 men's and 7 women's teams that...
wide receiver Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson (American football)
Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
in voting for the ACC Preseason Player of the Year.
Earlier during the summer, head coach Larry Coker announced that running back Tyrone Moss, receiver Ryan Moore, linebacker James Bryant, and receiver Rashaun Jones would be suspended for the first game of the season against Florida State for violating team policy. On August 26, Coker announced that Moore's suspension would be extended indefinitely. Moore would eventually return for the final two regular season games.
After back-to-back 9-3 seasons at Miami, where expectations are to compete for a national championship every year, it was widely believed that Coker was on the proverbial hot seat and needed to take the Hurricanes to a BCS
Bowl Championship Series
The Bowl Championship Series is a selection system that creates five bowl match-ups involving ten of the top ranked teams in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , including an opportunity for the top two to compete in the BCS National Championship Game.The BCS relies on a combination of...
bowl to keep his job. In the wake of last year's Peach Bowl loss, Coker fired four assistant coaches. During the offseason, Coker hired Rich Olson as his new offensive coordinator in an attempt to reinvigorate the Hurricane offense. Olson had previously served as Miami's offensive coordinator during the early 90s under then-head coach Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson
Dennis Erickson is an American football coach and former player. He was the head football coach at Arizona State University until November 28, 2011, a position he had held since the 2007 season. In 2008 the Arizona Board of Regents had approved a contract extension to keep Erickson at Arizona...
.
ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit
Kirk Herbstreit is an Emmy Award-winning analyst for ESPN's College GameDay, a television program covering college football and a provider of color commentary during college football games on ESPN and ABC. He appears annually as a commentator in EA Sports' NCAA Football. He was a quarterback on...
picked Miami to win the 2006 national championship, predicting the Hurricanes would defeat Notre Dame
2006 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team
The 2006 Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team was a college football team which represented the University of Notre Dame during the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The team was coached by Charlie Weis in his second year as head coach and played their home football games at Notre Dame...
in the national championship game.
See also 2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
2006 NCAA Division I-A football rankings
Three human polls and one formulaic ranking make up the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings, in addition to various publications' preseason polls. Unlike most sports, college football's governing body, the NCAA, does not bestow a National Championship title. That title is bestowed by one or...
Award Candidates
The following Hurricanes were named to preseason awards watch lists:- Kyle WrightKyle WrightKyle Wright is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
- Maxwell AwardMaxwell AwardThe Maxwell Award is presented annually to the collegiate American football player judged by a panel of sportscasters, sportswriters, and National Collegiate Athletic Association head coaches and the membership of the Maxwell Football Club to be the best football player in the United States. The... - Greg OlsenGreg Olsen (American football)Gregory Olsen is an American football tight end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
- Maxwell Award, John Mackey AwardJohn Mackey AwardThe John Mackey Award is presented annually to college football's most outstanding tight end.The award is given to the collegiate tight end who best exemplifies the play, sportsmanship, academics, and community values of NFL Hall of Fame tight end John Mackey.... - Brandon MeriweatherBrandon MeriweatherBrandon Meriweather is an American football safety for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He was drafted by the New England Patriots 24th overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Meriweather's mother gave birth to him when...
- Bronko Nagurski AwardBronko Nagurski TrophyThe Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been awarded annually since 1993 to the collegiate American football player adjudged by the membership of the Football Writers Association of America to be the best defensively in the National Collegiate Athletic Association; the award is presented by the Charlotte...
, Chuck Bednarik AwardChuck Bednarik AwardThe Chuck Bednarik Award is presented annually to the defensive collegiate football player adjudged by the Maxwell Football Club to be the best in the United States...
, Jim Thorpe AwardJim Thorpe AwardThe Jim Thorpe Award, named in memory of multi-sport legend Jim Thorpe, has been awarded to the top defensive back in college football since 1986... - Kenny PhillipsKenny Phillips-New York Giants:Phillips was expected to compete for the vacant free safety position left by Gibril Wilson, who left for free agency to the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 offseason...
- Chuck Bednarik Award, Jim Thorpe Award - Tyrone Moss - Maxwell Award
- Baraka Atkins - Bronko Nagurski Award
- Kareem Brown - Chuck Bednarik Award
- Anthony Reddick - Jim Thorpe Award
Schedule
Coaching Staff
| Position | Name | Yrs. in Current Pos. (Total Yrs. at UM) |
|---|---|---|
| Head Coach | Larry Coker Larry Coker Larry Edward Coker is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio, whose Roadrunners football team begins play in 2011. From 2001 to 2006, Coker served as the head coach at the University of Miami... |
6 (12) |
| Offensive Coordinator | Rich Olson | 1 (4) |
| Defensive Coordinator | Randy Shannon Randy Shannon Randy Lennard Shannon is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Miami from 2007 to 2010. Shannon played football at Miami and then with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL.... |
6 (14) |
| Special Teams Coordinator/TEs | Joe Pannunzio | 1 (1) |
| Quarterbacks | Todd Berry Todd Berry -External links:*... |
1 (1) |
| Offensive Line | Mario Cristobal | 1 (6) |
| Wide Receivers | Marques Mosley | 1 (1) |
| Defensive Line | John Palermo | 1 (1) |
| Asst. Defensive Line | Clint Hurtt | 1 (5) |
| Defensive Backs | Tim Walton | 3 (3) |
| Strength & Conditioning | Andreu Swasey | 6 (9) |
Depth Chart
Florida State
Pregame Line: Miami -3.5This was the third time in the last three years that archrivals Miami and Florida State opened the season against each other. The previous two games were also low-scoring defensive struggles, with the Hurricanes winning, 16-10, in overtime in 2004, and the Seminoles prevailing, 10-7, in 2005.
The game was the most-viewed college football game, regular season or bowl, in the history of ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
, averaging 6,330,000 million households in viewership (6.9 rating). It was also the second-highest rated game in ESPN history, behind only the 1994 game between Miami and FSU, which notched a 7.7 rating
Florida A&M
Pregame Line: OffThis was the seventh meeting between Miami and Florida A&M. Miami continues to lead the all-time series, 6-1. The two teams had last met in 2002, with Miami winning, 63-17.
Louisville
Pregame Line: Louisville -3.5This was the eleventh meeting between the schools. Prior to this game, Miami had never lost to Louisville, owning an all-time record of 9-0-1. Miami won the previous meeting in 2004, 41-38, in a game in which the Hurricanes had to rally late from a 17-point deficit. After this humiliating loss to Louisville, Miami became unranked for the first time in 107 weeks - the then-longest current streak in college football. The game was highlighted by a pre-game confrontation between the teams that was sparked when several Miami players provocatively stomped on the Louisville Cardinal bird logo located at mid-field of Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium
Papa John's Cardinal Stadium is a football stadium located in Louisville, Kentucky, USA and serves as the home of the University of Louisville football program. It opened in 1998, making it the second-to-last football stadium in NCAA Division I-A to open in the 20th century, with SMU's Gerald J....
. Four other teams (East Carolina
East Carolina University
East Carolina University is a public, coeducational, engaged doctoral/research university located in Greenville, North Carolina, United States. Named East Carolina University by statute and commonly known as ECU or East Carolina, the university is the largest institution of higher learning in...
, South Florida
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida, also known as USF, is a member institution of the State University System of Florida, one of the state's three flagship universities for public research, and is located in Tampa, Florida, USA...
, Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, and Rutgers) had stomped on the logo in the past, and each wound up losing the game.
Houston
Pregame Line: Miami -17In the eighteenth meeting between the schools, Miami extended the all-time series lead to 11-7. Miami won 14-13, after a 27 yard gain on 3rd and 24 which led to a touchdown pass by Kyle Wright to James Bryant and gave Miami the win. Freshman RB Javarris James
Javarris James
Javarris James is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at the University of Miami....
set a school rushing record for freshman by posting 148 rushing yards, breaking the previous record of 147 rushing yards set by Clinton Portis. Prior to the game, a number of airplanes hired by Miami fans unhappy with the team's poor start circled over the Orange Bowl while carrying banners demanding the firing of the embattled Coker, as well as Athletic Director Paul Dee.
North Carolina
Pregame Line: Miami -20.5Freshman Javarris James further solidified his hold on the starting running back position by rushing for over 100 yards for the second consecutive week. James carried 16 times for 111 yards (6.9 ypc), including a dazzling 62-yard touchdown run in the third quarter which put the game out of reach. Tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Greg Olsen had his best game of the season, catching 8 passes for 95 yards, while the Miami defense limited North Carolina to just 244 yards of total offense and forced 3 Tar Heel turnovers. The win gave Miami its first winning streak of the 2006 campaign as the Hurricanes improved to 3-2 overall. It was also Miami's first ACC win of the year, evening its conference record at 1-1.
Florida International
Pregame Line: OffThis was the first meeting between the Hurricanes and the crosstown Golden Panthers, who began active competition as a football program in 2002. Kyle Wright threw for three touchdowns, and the Miami defense held the Golden Panthers to 148 total yards.
However, this game would become one of the biggest embarrassments in the history of both schools. After trash-talk between players from both teams during the opening minutes, and an incident in which FIU wide receiver Chandler Williams dove helmet-first into a prone Kenny Phillips after Miami intercepted a pass, the game turned truly ugly in the third quarter.
After James Bryant caught Wright's second TD pass, he pointed to the FIU bench and bowed to the crowd, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for his act. At the end of the ensuing conversion, FIU's Chris Smith wrestled Miami holder Matt Perelli to the ground and punched him. Another Golden Panther, Marshall McDuffie Jr., kicked Perelli on the ground. Players from each side joined the pile, and both benches quickly emptied, with fights breaking out in several parts of the field. Several players from both teams threw punches, Miami cornerback Brandon Meriweather was seen trying to stomp on FIU players, and another Golden Panther, Amod Ned, was seen swinging a crutch at Miami players. During the melee, Canes safety Anthony Reddick ran across the field and swung his helmet at FIU cornerback Robert Mitchell, hitting him.
Five Canes were ejected—Carlos Armour, Chris Barney, Bruce Johnson, Charlie Jones, and Derrick Morse. Eight Golden Panthers were ejected as well. Coach Larry Coker also indefinitely suspended Meriweather and Reddick for their parts in the fracas, plus Bryant for his taunting gesture that arguably triggered the melee.
In the aftermath, Coker called the brawl "disgraceful," adding the following day, "I don't have many bad days. This is a bad day. And last night was a bad night." For his part, FIU head coach Don Strock
Don Strock
Don Strock is a former professional football player who was the head coach of the Florida International University football team from 2002–2006.-College:Strock played college football at Virginia Tech, and graduated in 1973...
said "I can promise you that this will never happen again." Other officials from both universities also publicly apologized.
The day after the game, the ACC suspended a total of 13 Miami players, and the Sun Belt Conference suspended 18 FIU players.
Duke
Pregame Line: Miami -20Playing without 13 players who were suspended for their actions in the previous week's brawl with FIU, and missing starting tight end Greg Olsen and starting linebacker Jon Beason due to injury, the shorthanded 'Canes raced out to a 20-2 third quarter lead behind strong play from QB Kyle Wright. Underdog Duke would not give up, though, rallying to score two unanswered fourth quarter touchdowns to trim Miami's lead to 20-15 (Duke failed to convert a two-point conversion attempt on the second touchdown). Meanwhile, the Duke defense put the clamps on Miami's running game, holding the Hurricanes to a paltry 37 yards rushing on 25 carries (1.5 ypc) for the game. Duke, however, could not capitalize on two opportunities to take the lead. After driving down to the Miami 29-yard line with less than 3:30 remaining in the game, Duke was stopped on a fourth down attempt and turned the ball over to Miami. Duke's defense would bend, as Miami drove down to the Duke 34, but Duke was able to stop Miami on third down. Faced with a 4th-and-2 from Duke's 34-yard line with inside 2:15 remaining, Miami head coach Larry Coker
Larry Coker
Larry Edward Coker is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach at the University of Texas at San Antonio, whose Roadrunners football team begins play in 2011. From 2001 to 2006, Coker served as the head coach at the University of Miami...
elected to punt and rely on his vaunted defense rather than go for it on fourth down or attempt a long field goal.
Duke took over from its own 11-yard line and strung together an impressive drive that brought the Blue Devils down to the Hurricanes' 6-yard line with :03 remaining in the game. On third down and with time expiring, Duke QB Thaddeus Lewis' threw a pass intended for wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Eron Riley in the left side of the endzone. However, Miami safety Willie Cooper was lying in wait and was able to jump the route and intercept Lewis' pass at the goal line. Cooper returned the ball all the way to the Duke 15-yard line before voluntarily falling to the ground to end the game and deny Duke what would have been a momentous upset.
Wright completed 23 of 41 passes for 291 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 1 interception. Duke wide receiver Jomar Wright was impressive in defeat, catching 10 passes for 170 yards against Miami's makeshift secondary. Miami sophomore safety Kenny Phillips intercepted three passes, tying a school record. Phillips was named the ACC
Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference is a collegiate athletic league in the United States. Founded in 1953 in Greensboro, North Carolina, the ACC sanctions competition in twenty-five sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association for its twelve member universities...
's Defensive Back of the Week for his stellar play.
Miami improved to 5-2 on the year with a 2-1 ACC record, setting up a showdown the next week with Georgia Tech
2006 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team
The 2006 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team represented the Georgia Institute of Technology in the college football season of 2006-2007. The team's coach is former Dallas Cowboys, Samford Bulldogs, and Troy Trojans coach Chan Gailey...
for control of the ACC's Coastal Division.
Georgia Tech
Pregame Line: Georgia Tech -5.5Georgia Tech (5-2, 3-1 ACC) entered the game in first place in the ACC's Coastal Division, leading second-place Miami (5-2, 2-1 ACC) by 1/2 a game in the standings. The winner of this showdown would gain control its own destiny and be able to assure itself of a berth in the ACC Championship by winning the remainder of its games.
Miami got on the board first when Georgia Tech quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
Reggie Ball fumbled the ball at the Georgia Tech 18-yard line during the Yellow Jackets opening drive. Miami linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Glenn Cook returned the fumble for a Miami touchdown. After Miami forced a punt on the Jackets next possession, Javarris James
Javarris James
Javarris James is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at the University of Miami....
broke a 49-yard run that setup a 38-yard field goal from Jon Peattie, putting Miami ahead, 10-0. Georgia Tech would answer with a 12-play, 53-yard drive on its ensuing possession, highlighted by a 43-yard pass from Ball to receiver Calvin Johnson
Calvin Johnson (American football)
Calvin Johnson, Jr. is an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Lions second overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Georgia Tech....
that setup a 39-yard field goal from Travis Bell, cutting the Miami lead to 10-3 at the end of the first quarter.
Miami would add another field goal early in the second quarter to push its lead to 13-3. After a 22-yard punt by Miami's Brian Monroe gave Georgia Tech the ball at the Miami 46-yard line, Tech scored a touchdown on its very first play when Ball connected with James Johnson for a 46-yard touchdown strike, bringing the Jackets within 3. Georgia Tech would later intercept a Kyle Wright
Kyle Wright
Kyle Wright is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
pass in Miami territory, which enabled the Jackets to add a game-tying field goal before the half.
On its first possession of the second half, Miami moved the ball 69-yards before the drive was ended when receiver Lance Leggett fumbled at the Georgia Tech 10-yard line. Miami would force Georgia Tech to go three-and-out before embarking on a long 14-play, 54-yard drive that ate up 6:59 and ended with another Peattie field goal, putting the Hurricanes back in front, 16-13.
Georgia Tech would respond with 17 unanswered fourth quarter points. The first three came by way of a 39-yard field goal from Bell. That drive was not without controversy, however, as replays appeared to show Miami safety Brandon Meriweather intercept a pass from Ball on a 2nd-and-11 from the Miami 31. The play was ruled an incomplete pass by the referees on the field. Curiously, the officials in the replay booth declined to initiate an instant replay review of the play, nor did Miami coach Larry Coker, who still had one timeout remaining, initiate a coach's challenge. Instead of Miami taking over with its lead intact, Georgia Tech retained possession, and, after picking up nine yards on third down, successfully kicked a game-tying field goal from the Miami 22.
The Jackets would force Miami to punt, and, on its next possession, Georgia Tech went 74-yards on 9-plays, scoring on a 1-yard touchdown pass from Ball to Johnson. On Miami's next possession, Wright was sacked by Adamm Oliver and fumbled at the Miami 35. The ball was recovered by Georgia Tech's Kamichael Hall, who returned it eight yards to the Miami 27. Two plays later, running back Tashard Choice
Tashard Choice
Tashard J. Choice , is an American football running back for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. He played collegiately at Georgia Tech. He was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft.Choice began his collegiate career at The University of Oklahoma but...
ran for a 25-yard touchdown, giving Georgia Tech a 30-16 lead with 3:30 remaining, seemingly sealing the game.
Miami, however, made things interesting when Wright hooked up with tight end Greg Olsen for a 41-yard touchdown pass on the third play of Miami's next possession, making the score 30-23 with just 2:10 remaining in the game. Interestingly, Coker, who only had one timeout left, elected to kick deep on the ensuing kickoff rather than attempt an onside kick
Onside kick
In American and Canadian football, an onside kick is a type of kick used at a kickoff or other free kick, or scrimmage kick or other kick during play, in which the ball is kicked favorably for the kicking team to avoid giving away the ball...
. Miami was able to force Georgia Tech to punt and was set to take possession with less than :30 remaining and no timeouts. However, Miami punt returner Rashaun Jones fumbled the punt and the ball was recovered by Georgia Tech's Chris Dunlap, giving Georgia Tech the win.
With the loss, Miami fell to 5-3 (2-2 ACC) on the year, causing the already intense criticism of coach Coker and quarterback Wright to only intensify. James was productive in defeat, gaining 112 yards on 19 carries, while Olsen caught 5 passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.
Virginia Tech
Pregame Line: Virginia Tech -2Virginia Tech avenged a 27-7 loss from the previous year by dealing reeling Miami its fourth loss of the 2006 season. Miami's defense was stout in defeat, holding the visiting Hokies to just 139 yards of total offense (86 passing, 53 rushing). Running back Tyrone Moss, filling in after starter Javarris James
Javarris James
Javarris James is an American football running back for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League. He was signed by the Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He played college football at the University of Miami....
was forced from the game early in the first half with a hip pointer, had a strong game, rushing 13 times for 103 yards. The highlight of Moss' evening was a 50-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter that tied the score at 10. But it was not enough to overcome Miami's sputtering pass offense. Kyle Wright struggled badly, completing just 14 of 29 passes for 84 yards. Wright also threw two critical interceptions late in the game. The first led to what would prove to be Virginia Tech's game winning touchdown, while the second came on the first play of Miami's ensuing possession, essentially sealing the defeat. The homecoming
Homecoming
Homecoming is the tradition of welcoming back alumni of a school. It most commonly refers to a tradition in many universities, colleges and high schools in North America...
loss served to only intensify criticism of the struggling Wright, who was booed lustily at times during the game. Coker, the team's embattled head coach, was also the subject of boos from the crowd. The loss was Miami's fifth consecutive against ranked opponents dating back to the previous season's Peach Bowl loss to LSU
LSU Tigers football
The LSU Tigers football team, also known as the Fighting Tigers or Bayou Bengals, represents Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States in NCAA Division I FBS college football. Current head coach Les Miles has led the team since 2005. Since 1999 when Nick Saban took over as...
, and ensured Miami of its first four-loss season since 1999.
Maryland
Playing in its first game since the murder of defensive lineman Bryan Pata (see Bryan Pata murder below), a mourning Miami team dropped its third straight game, 14-13, to the #24 Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium, falling to 5-5 on the season (2-4 ACC). Sophomore quarterback Kirby FreemanKirby Freeman
Kirby Freeman is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
, starting in place of the injured Kyle Wright, played well in his first collegiate start, completing 14 of 27 passes for 140 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Freeman also rushed for 51 yards on 9 carries. However, a couple of long pass plays surrendered by the Hurricane defense early in the game proved to be the difference. Maryland took a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter when quarterback Sam Hollenbach hooked up with receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey on a 65-yard touchdown pass. Hollenbach would find Heyward-Bey again in the second quarter for a 96-yard touchdown pass, both the longest pass play in Maryland history and the longest pass ever surrendered by Miami. Miami would fight back, though, and cut the Maryland lead to one point in the fourth quarter. But after forcing Maryland to punt with 1:14 to go in the game, Miami returner Bruce Johnson fumbled the punt and Maryland recovered, enabling the Terrapins to run the clock out and walk away with the victory. Miami dominated the game statistically, racking up 320 yards and 18 first downs while holding the ball for 37:09, compared to just 258 yards, 6 first downs, and 22:51 of possession for Maryland, but was unable to convert that statistical advantage into a victory. Maryland fans stormed the field in celebration after the final whistle.
The loss was Miami's sixth straight against a ranked opponent, and was the third straight loss, and fourth loss overall, in which the Canes had a chance to tie or win the game on their final possession, but squandered the opportunity with a turnover.
Virginia
Pregame Line: Miami -2Miami lost its fourth straight game, losing to the Virginia Cavaliers for the first time in four all-time meetings. Miami's problems on offense continued, as the Hurricanes were only able to muster one offensive touchdown for the fourth consecutive game, while the Virginia offense picked apart the Miami defense. Jameel Sewell was the star of the Cavalier offense, connecting on 23 of 33 passes for 217 yards and running for a pair of touchdowns. Virginia also became the first team all season to rush for over 100 yards against Miami's defense, racking up 134 yards on the ground. Freshman running back Javarris James ran for 95 yards on 21 carries in defeat. Quarterback Kirby Freeman, making his second collegiate start after Kyle Wright underwent season-ending thumb injury earlier in the week, completed 11 of 18 passes for 152 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception.
With the Hurricanes dropping to 5-6 (2-5 ACC), they would need to win their final game of the season against Boston College in order to become bowl eligible.
Boston College
Pregame Line: Boston College -3.5In a Thanksgiving night primetime nationally televised game, Miami upset #18 Boston College at the Orange Bowl, 17-14, to win its 15th straight game against BC. The Hurricanes won behind a dominating defense that held the Eagles to under 200 yards of total offense and an offense that made just enough plays to overcome a 14-3 first half deficit. With the win, Miami became bowl eligible and denied BC a potential berth in the ACC Championship Game. The win was Miami's first of the year over a ranked opponent.
The game was played on the 22nd anniversary of the immortal "Hail Flutie" game, which was the last time Boston College defeated Miami.
MPC Computers Bowl2006 MPC Computers BowlThe 2006 MPC Computers Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game held on December 31, 2006 at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The game featured tie-ins between the Atlantic Coast Conference , which was represented by the Miami Hurricanes, and the Western Athletic Conference , represented by...
vs. Nevada
On November 29, 2006, Miami accepted an invitation to play against the Nevada Wolf PackUniversity of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
in the MPC Computers Bowl
2006 MPC Computers Bowl
The 2006 MPC Computers Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game held on December 31, 2006 at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The game featured tie-ins between the Atlantic Coast Conference , which was represented by the Miami Hurricanes, and the Western Athletic Conference , represented by...
at Bronco Stadium
Bronco Stadium
Bronco Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Boise, Idaho, the home field of the Boise State Broncos of the Mountain West Conference. Since 1997, it has hosted the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl Bronco Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Boise, Idaho, the home field of the Boise State Broncos...
in Boise, Idaho
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
on December 31. Playing in 20 degree temperatures, quarterback Kirby Freeman
Kirby Freeman
Kirby Freeman is an American football quarterback who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
completed 11 of 19 passes for 272 yards and led Miami to a 21-20 victory in coach Larry Coker's final game. Freeman, who also rushed for a touchdown, was named the game's Most Valuable Player. The win was clinched when Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe was intercepted by Chavez Grant at the Miami 33 yard line with :18 remaining in the game. After the game, Coker was carried off the field by his players.
The win improved Miami's record to 7-6, making the 2006 campaign Miami's ninth straight winning season.
Bryan Pata murder
Defensive tackle Bryan PataBryan Pata
Bryan Sidney Pata was an American football defensive lineman for the Miami Hurricanes and was majoring in criminology.-Career:...
was shot and killed on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Pata was murdered at The Colony apartment complex in Kendall
Kendall, Florida
Kendall is a suburban neighborhood of metropolitan Miami, Florida, United States. As of the 2000 census, the area had a total population of 75,226....
by an unknown assailant some time around 7:30 pm.
The Miami-Dade police thus far have declined to release any further information about the specific circumstances of the shooting until they finish interviewing witnesses, but have ruled the death a homicide
Homicide
Homicide refers to the act of a human killing another human. Murder, for example, is a type of homicide. It can also describe a person who has committed such an act, though this use is rare in modern English...
.
Pata was the fourth Miami football player to die in the past ten years. Linebacker Marlin Barnes and a female companion were bludgeoned to death in Barnes' on-campus apartment in 1996 by the woman's jealous ex-lover. In 2002, linebacker Chris Campbell was killed in a car accident. A car accident in 2003 also claimed the life of safety Al Blades.
Pata was described by friends and acquaintances as a "Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
" with a friendly, outgoing personality. Pata, who was projected to be a third-round selection in the 2007 NFL Draft
2007 NFL Draft
The 2007 National Football League Draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 28 and April 29, 2007. The draft was televised for the 28th consecutive year on ESPN and ESPN2. The NFL Network also broadcast coverage of the event, its second year doing so...
, also harbored dreams of one day possibly joining the FBI when his football career was over.
Epilogue
With the Hurricanes finishing the regular season at 6-6, the 2006 season proved to be one of the worst for the program in the past thirty years. The fall of Miami, which established itself as the most successful college football program of the past twenty five years, was one of the biggest stories in collegiate football in 2006.The season was the culmination of a gradual decline for the program since it won the national championship in 2001. In each year since, Miami appeared to have taken a step back in terms of national stature and its overall record, going from an undefeated national championship in 2001 to a national championship game loss in 2002 to a two-loss season in 2003 to back-to-back three loss seasons in 2004 and 2005, and a six-loss season in 2006. The team, which had the longest current streak of being ranked in the AP Poll
AP Poll
The Associated Press College Poll refers to weekly rankings of the top 25 NCAA teams in one of three Division I college sports: football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The rankings are compiled by polling sportswriters across the nation...
, fell from the AP Top 25 in 2006 for the first time in 10 seasons.
Most noticeable during the decline were the mounting losses to mediocre programs, the increase in home losses, and a persistently anemic offense.
Only a late season win over Boston College ensured that Miami would finish the season bowl eligible. Since 1983, Miami had failed to play in a bowl game just twice: in 1995, when the program served a one-year bowl suspension, and in 1997, when the Hurricanes, hampered by NCAA scholarship sanctions, finished just 5-6.
Considerable speculation about Larry Coker's job status began to swirl after Miami's loss to Louisville in the third game of the season, which only intensified after the midseason brawl against FIU and the team's four game losing streak late in the season.
As expected, Coker was dismissed on November 24, 2006, the morning after his Hurricanes closed the regular season with a 17-14 upset win over #18 Boston College. Coker would coach the team in its bowl game. As part of the terms of his contract, Coker would receive a buyout in the neighborhood of $2 to $3 million.
Head Coaching Search
In the aftermath of Coker's firing, a number of prominent college head coaches were speculated as potential candidates for the Miami head coaching job, including South CarolinaSouth Carolina Gamecocks
The University of South Carolina's 19 varsity sports teams are known as the "Gamecocks". The unique moniker is held in honor of Thomas Sumter, a South Carolina war hero who was given the name "The Carolina Gamecock" during the American Revolution for his fierce fighting tactics, regardless of his...
head coach Steve Spurrier
Steve Spurrier
Stephen Orr Spurrier is an American college football coach and player. Spurrier is the current head coach of the University of South Carolina's Gamecocks football team. He is also a former professional player and coach...
, former Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers football
The Wisconsin Badgers are a college football program that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. They play their home games at Camp Randall Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in college football...
head coach Barry Alvarez, and Rutgers
Rutgers Scarlet Knights
The Rutgers Scarlet Knights are the athletic teams that represent Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey...
head coach Greg Schiano
Greg Schiano
Gregory Edward Schiano is the head coach for the Rutgers University football team. He has held that position since 2001.-Early life and education:...
. Schiano, a former defensive coordinator at Miami, was reported to be the university's top choice. Schiano discussed the position with Miami Athletic Director Paul Dee, but subsequently removed his name from further consideration. Speculation ran high around Texas Tech
Texas Tech Red Raiders football
Texas Tech Red Raiders football program is a college football team that represents Texas Tech University . The team competes, as a member of the Big 12 Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
head coach Mike Leach, who was one of only three coaches publicly confirmed as a candidate for the job, but Leach fell out of consideration after an interview with Dee.
After an intensive two-week head coaching search, Miami opted to stay in the family and promoted its highly-regarded defensive coordinator Randy Shannon
Randy Shannon
Randy Lennard Shannon is a former American football player and coach. He served as the head football coach at the University of Miami from 2007 to 2010. Shannon played football at Miami and then with the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL....
to the position of head coach on December 8, 2006. Shannon, who played linebacker at Miami from 1985 through 1988, became just the sixth African-American head coach in NCAA Division I-A football at the time. Shannon took over recruiting duties immediately, but expressed his desire for fired head coach Larry Coker to stay on and coach the team one final time in its season-ending bowl game against Nevada.