Larry Coker Chat Wrap

Larry Coker at 1:05pm ET
Good afternoon everyone! I’m looking forward to your questions. Let’s get started.BottomLine Cane from [152.163.204.30], at 1:06pm ET
Coach Coker, one of the criticisms you received early on at UM was that your playing calling was too conservative in relation to the offensive talent on the team. Some even said it lacked imagination. However, in the 2000 season your offense set many school records and did so with flare. Did you change your philosophy or did you finally have the players and experience with which to open up the offense?Larry Coker at 1:08pm ET
I did actually change my philosophy because of the players we had. We did have talent but sometimes you need more than 3-5 players, you need a good OL, etc. to let those guys do what they can do. We were in a position to create more big plays. In the 2000 season we had a chance to break the scoring record in 10 games. You make a good point in that our philosophy has changed because of our talent.michigan canes fan from [206.67.108.36], at 1:08pm ET
I was wondering how our receiving corp would look next year with all of the losses at that position?Larry Coker at 1:09pm ET
We will miss Santana Moss, Wayne and King. They are all veteran players who won many games. We have Daryl Jones who has been a fixture for us, a fifth year senior. He redshirted and was a year behind those other guys. We will expect a lot out of him. Andre Johnson is a special talent, Kevin Beard and Willie Dixon and Jason Gathers are all young guys with great talent. I don’t think they are excellent receivers yet but the potential is there.Glov4 from [24.4.252.161], at 1:10pm ET
Do you feel you have too many running backs to keep them all happy?Larry Coker at 1:11pm ET
Not at all. I have never been where we had too many! We had Barry Sanders and Thurmon Thomas at OSU. It is hard to give everybody enough carries but we have seen Jared Payton will miss the majority of spring ball with injury so we aren’t as deep as we thought we would be. I think it is very imporant that we use all those guys. But we definitly don’t have too many.John Beske from [143.166.99.177], at 1:12pm ET
What area will require the most improvment in 2001Larry Coker at 1:13pm ET
That is a good question. The area I see is the DE and our front basically. The depth will be a help there. But those areas can be improved. Our backup QB position is paramount. Also the WR position as mentioned.michael hoffman from [205.188.200.200], at 1:13pm ET
mr coker what do you think the odds are of us beating fsu this year isLarry Coker at 1:14pm ET
Right now 50/50! They have a great home winning streak. We will have a tough road schedule but we believe we can win every game we play. The FSU game is no exception.CaliCane from [129.171.222.24], at 1:14pm ET
Will the season be a disappointment if you don’t win the National Championship?
Larry Coker at 1:15pm ET
I think all seasons are a disapointment if you don’t win it all. If we play as good as we can then that is what we want. You have to have so much good fortune to win a championship. You look at some of the great FSU and Nebraska teams that never won a chamionship. But they positioned themselves to compete for it. If we can do that it will not be a disappointment.DJ from [209.3.135.6], at 1:15pm ET
Who will be the starting Qb for this season?Larry Coker at 1:16pm ET
I’d be surprised if anyone beats out Ken Dorsey. He is our starter in the Spring and will be in the Fall.perfect_storm from [63.61.222.145], at 1:16pm ET
will we see more shotgun with 3 & 4 wide receiver sets this year?Larry Coker at 1:17pm ET
You’ll see some more shotgun but not as many 4 receiver sets. You’ll see 3 though. Shockey is very mobile and he can do things better than WRs sometimes. We will use him rather than putting in a lesser WR. It might look like a 4 set but it will be 3 with use of a TE.gacane from [166.102.69.159], at 1:17pm ET
Is Jerome McDougal as good as everyone is saying?Larry Coker at 1:18pm ET
He was exceptional in practice. I can’t say that yet because he hasn’t been proven yet. He is very talented and explosive. I expect him to be as good as “everybody says he is” but it has not been proven yet.rob2574 from [64.12.102.152], at 1:18pm ET
Coach,
With Dan Morgan gone, will D.J. Williams play more at LB or will he be at FB still as well? Are there others that could step in?Larry Coker at 1:20pm ET
DJ will be at linebacker. He will start out at the weak side. Jonathan Vilma will be the heir apparent to Morgan.Kenny Banya from [132.177.49.218], at 1:20pm ET
Will it be hard to fill previous coaches of Miami shoes ie Dennis E., Jimmy J etc.

Ps. What is your favorite snack?Larry Coker at 1:21pm ET
That is a good question. I haven’t thought about it but yes, it will be big shoes to fill. They have all been so good. I haven’t thought about it much, maybe I shouldn’t! I just have to do a great job recruiting and coaching and maybe that will answer the question.

Junk food or health food? Almond Joys and Fresh Fruit.Stefan from [209.255.112.79], at 1:22pm ET
What team did u like growing up?
Larry Coker at 1:22pm ET
College I followed Oklahoma because I was from there. Pro I had an affinity for the old Colts because of Unitas. When the Cowboys came around I became a Cowboys fan.canes only from [206.67.108.36], at 1:22pm ET
what will the depth chart look like at runningback next fall?Larry Coker at 1:24pm ET
I think it will be very good. Right now we are giving 4 players the chance to work, Portis, McGahee, Davenport, Payton. Two of them will also work at Fullback. Frank Gore also from here in town will be in the mix.Alan from [208.17.116.2], at 1:24pm ET
Coach,
How good is the secondary going to be this year with the return of Ed Reed?Larry Coker at 1:25pm ET
It will be very good. We have a great secondary coming back with speed at the corners. He is an exceptional leader back there. We are in the process of finding a safety. With James Lewis and Scott and we will have two top candidates there. at 1:27pm ET
Thanks for all the questions. Thanks for the interest in the Miami program. We are very excited about the Spring and the upcoming season. I have to get back to work but thanks for stopping by!