At most schools, a 9–3 season earns a coaching staff a raise. At Miami, that record gets coaches fired. That seemed to be the message from head coach Larry Coker after he fired four veteran assistants a few days after the Hurricanes completed the 2005 season with an embarrassing 40–3 loss to LSU in the Peach Bowl.

Overall, six of the nine assistant coaches that were on Coker’s staff to begin 2005 were either fired or resigned. The biggest turnover took place on offense, where five assistants are gone. Questions regarding the offensive line, where four starters must be replaced, and receiver must be addressed.

There are fewer worries on defense, which returns six starters from a group that ranked among the nation’s best last season. Also, defensive coordinator Randy Shannon returns for his 13th season at Miami.

The offseason upheaval has caused many to wonder if Miami’s program is on the downslide. Since winning the 2001 national championship, the Hurricanes have taken a step back in each ensuing season. Another lackluster season could increase the heat on Coker, despite his 53–9 record.

LOWDOWN

Coach: Larry Coker (6th season, 53-9)
2005 record: 9–3 (Lost to LSU in Peach Bowl)
ACC finish: 6–2 (2nd Coastal)
2005 I-A offensive rankings:
Rushing: 70th (137.6 ypg)
Passing: 71st (215.5 ypg)
2005 I-A defensive rankings:
Rushing: 23rd (117.9 ypg)
Passing: 1st (152.2 ypg)

DEPTH CHART

Offense (5)

SE  85  *Ryan Moore  Sr.  9  Lance Leggett  Jr.
FL  8  Darnell Jenkins  Sr.  87  Khalil Jones  So.
LT  77  Reggie Youngblood  So.  76  Chris Rutledge  So.
LG  72  Andrew Bain  Jr.  70  A.J. Trump  Fr.
C  78  *Anthony Wollschlager  Sr.  63  Alex Pou  Sr.
RG  71  Derrick Morse  Jr.  72  Andrew Bain  Jr.
RT  67  Tyrone Byrd  So.  73  Cyrim Wimbs  Jr.
TE  82  *Greg Olsen  Jr.  11  DajLeon Farr  So.
QB  3  *Kyle Wright  Jr.  7  Kirby Freeman  So.
FB  41  Jerrell Mabry  Fr.  40  Mark Lisante  Sr.
TB  30  *Tyrone Moss  Sr.  34  Charlie Jones  Jr.

Defense (6)

DE  98  *Baraka Atkins  Sr.  94  Eric Moncur  So.
DT  99  Kareem Brown  Sr.  96  Antonio Dixon  So.
DT  54  Teraz McCray  Jr.  56  Luqman Abdullah  Fr.
DE  95  *Bryan Pata  Sr.  81  Calais Campbell  So.
SLB  52  Tavares Gooden  Jr.  51  *Romeo Davis  Jr.
MLB  55  Glenn Cook  Jr.  50  Darryl Sharpton  Fr.
WLB  2  *Jon Beason  Jr.  17  Willie Williams  So.
CB  4  Glenn Sharpe  Jr.  29  Bruce Johnson  So.
CB  6  Randy Phillips  So.  27  Carlos Armour  So.
SS  1  *Kenny Phillips  So.  26  Anthony Reddick  So.
FS  19  *Brandon Meriweather  Sr.  35  Lovon Ponder  So.

Special Teams

K  13  Jon Peattie  Sr.
P  15  Brian Monroe  Sr.
PR  8  Darnell Jenkins  Sr.
PR  8  Darnell Jenkins  Sr.

(#) Indicates number of returning starters
* Indicates returning starters

2006 SCHEDULE

Sept. 4  Florida State
Sept. 9  Florida A&M
Sept. 16  at Louisville
Sept. 30  Houston
Oct. 7  North Carolina
Oct. 14  Florida International
Oct. 21  at Duke
Oct. 28  at Georgia Tech
Nov. 4  Virginia Tech
Nov. 11  at Maryland
Nov. 18  at Virginia
Nov. 23  Boston College

OFFENSE

Offensive coordinator Rich Olson — one of six new assistants on coach Larry Coker’s staff — has the task of re-energizing a unit that was held to its lowest point production since the 1997 season. Olson has several weapons to work with, including quarterback Kyle Wright, tight end Greg Olsen and tailback Tyrone Moss, but questions regarding the offensive line and receiving corps must be addressed.

Wright’s first season as a starter had its ups and downs. He led the ACC in touchdown passes and finished second in passing efficiency but was the victim of dreadful protection and dropped passes. Moss was emerging as one of the ACC’s top running backs before a knee injury ended his season in the eighth game. Moss is expected to be ready for the season opener, although his tendency to put on weight is worth watching.

There’s plenty of talent at receiver. Just not enough production. Lance Leggett was bogged down by dropped passes and a listless attitude caused by off-field “distractions.” Ryan Moore was nearly as big a disappointment. Darnell Jenkins may be the team’s fastest receiver, but that speed hasn’t translated to big plays.

The tight end position is in good hands with the return of junior Greg Olsen, a former Notre Dame transfer who is the latest in a long line of great Miami tight ends.

DEFENSE

There are far fewer worries on defense, which returns six starters, along with longtime coordinator Randy Shannon, from a group that ranked among the nation’s best last season.

The two returning starters on the line are Baraka Atkins, who is moving back to left end after opening every game last season at tackle, and right end Bryan Pata. Both are potential stars. Kareem Brown, ranked by some analysts as the top NFL prospect among defensive tackles, anchors the interior of the line.

The middle linebacker position has been a major disappointment the past two seasons. The school that produced Ray Lewis, Dan Morgan and Jonathan Vilma has been unable to find anyone suitable to continue that legacy. Glenn Cook and Darryl Sharpton, both undersized, will man the middle. Jon Beason, who turned in an outstanding season in his first year as a starter, is back on the weak side.

Miami has the best safety combination in the ACC with the return of senior Brandon Meriweather, the team’s leading tackler, and sophomore Kenny Phillips, who was one of the nation’s top freshmen last season. There are bigger questions at cornerback, where Glenn Sharpe is slated to start after missing most of the past two seasons with knee injuries.

SPECIALISTS

Kicker Jon Peattie and punter Brian Monroe return after lackluster 2005 seasons. Peattie has slumped after a sensational freshman campaign two years ago. Monroe has tremendous athleticism, but his production hasn’t matched his potential.

With Devin Hester off to the NFL, a kickoff and punt returner must be found. Jenkins may handle both return jobs.

FINAL ANALYSIS

At most schools, a 9–3 season earns a coaching staff a raise. At Miami, that record resulted in offseason upheaval — six new assistants have been brought in — and has caused many to wonder if Miami’s program is on the downslide.

The Hurricanes have the talent to win an ACC title. Whether they do will depend on how quickly the new coaching staff meshes and on several key players whose performances have yet to match high expectations.

This Miami team preview was pulled from our 2006 National College Football preview magazine.  To order this or the 2006 ACC Regional preview magazine  - with expanded team page coverage and conference features - click here