<![CDATA[Highlights]]> <![CDATA[Highlights]]> en-us Copyright 2008 - All Rights Reserved. Wed, 22 May 2013 11:07:14 GMT 15 <![CDATA['Canes are caught in a storm]]> By Pierre Gademer


Art by Angie Blanco

The “U.” It is an expression that countless people around the country all know and understand. It is an expression which once defined greatness in college football. Between 1983 and 1991 the University of Miami won four national championships. The school produced four graduates who have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. UM has seen two Heisman winners and the most NFL graduates ever. It is, without a doubt, one of the most talented schools that college football has ever seen. Yet, in recent years, a dramatic decline has occurred. In 2001, the Hurricanes sent an emphatic statement to the world by going undefeated and winning the national championship. With most of their starting players returning, it seemed as if they were poised for a repeated season. Yet in the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, it seemed as if the Hurricanes were no longer the perennial powerhouse that they once were. Although they lost in a double over time due to some controversial officiating, it seemed as if they no longer had the swagger they once possessed. The facts are simple: before the 2002 Fiesta Bowl, the Hurricanes were listed in the top 10 for an astounding 12 straight years. But after that defeat, the team has been unable to reach the top 10. To add insult to injury, they have recently been unable to even reach the top 25. Some blame recruitment, while others say coaching is the problem. Still, it is evident that the Hurricanes are no longer a team which scares or dominates opponents like they once did. So how did this happen? UM has gone from having players such as Ray Lewis to Jim Kelly, who are prestigious players, to having team members like of Kyle Wright and Ken Dorsey who have proved to be incapable of completing any big plays. Is it possible that the reason behind the recent failures is due to the coaching of Larry Coker? Sure, he was successful in his first season in which he won a national championship, but in the past five years, the Hurricanes have only won one bowl game. “I don’t know what has happened to the ‘Canes recently. They are garbage, they have no leadership and the coach has lost his control over the team,” Alex Ramos, junior, said. The problems are not limited to the field. Before, six players have been arrested, and the number of players suspended is nearing the double digits. With the brawl on October 14th, the school’s reputation is worse than ever before. The issue might be because the “U” doesn’t even do background checks on players being offered scholarships. To think that a school with such prestige and popularity is now falling through the college ranks at such a rapid pace is unsettling to say the least. Not only is it an embarrassment to the University of Miami, but it is an embarrassment to the citizens of Miami as well. All over the country, television shows, newspapers, and radio shows are laughing at the “U”. Even on ESPN, talk regarding the potential termination of Coach Larry Coker has been brought up. The team has fumbled two important conference games this year. One instance was a blow-out loss to Louisville, which was missing their star running back at the time. Many can agree that the 2002 Fiesta Bowl marked the fall of the Hurricanes. Unless there are dramatic changes coming, the future does not look bright for the Hurricanes. Either way, in just 25 years, many people have witnessed the rise and fall of one of the most dominate athletic empires in college football history with the “U”. ]]> Mon, 27 Nov 2006 17:17:00 GMT