Larry Coker out as Miami coach

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Larry Coker's tumultuous and disappointing football season at Miami ends with his dismissal as head coach. <br/><br/>The Oklahoma native was fired today, a move that was expected

Friday, November 24th 2006, 10:52 am

By: News On 6

CORAL GABLES, Fla. (AP) Larry Coker's tumultuous and disappointing football season at Miami ends with his dismissal as head coach.

The Oklahoma native was fired today, a move that was expected for weeks and came one day after the Hurricanes finished a 6-6 regular season by beating Boston College, snapping a 4-game losing streak and becoming bowl-eligible.

Miami athletic director Paul Dee says Coker will coach the team in a bowl game, if Miami is invited.

Coker is from Okemah, Oklahoma, and has been an assistant coach at Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Tulsa.

Coker was fired despite a 59-15 career record, one national title and another appearance in the national championship game.

He had three seasons left on a contract that paid him about $2 million dollars annually.

Potential candidates to replace Coker include former Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez, who is close with Miami president Donna Shalala; Rutgers coach and former Miami assistant Greg Schiano; and Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe.