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The Lowdown 2006 Schedule 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) Date Opponent 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 Depth Chart: Offense 5 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. 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. Depth Chart: Defense 6 returning starters in red Ps. No. Player Yr. No. Player Yr. 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. 48 Spencer Adkins 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 Ps. No. Player Yr. Ps. No. Player Yr. K 13 Jon Peattie Sr. P 15 Brian Monroe Sr. PR 8 Darnell Jenkins Sr. PR 8 Darnell Jenkins Sr.

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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 let go 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 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.

OFFENSE

Offensive coordinator Rich Olson -- one of six new assistants on 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 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, while the 'Canes lost former blue-chip recruit Willie Williams, who opted to tranfer in the offseason.

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. 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

Miami has the best winning percentage in Division I-A since 2000, but there is concern that Coker's team is sliding backwards after a pair of uninspiring 9-3 seasons. Five new assistants, have been brought in to re-energize an offense.

Defense figures to be the team's foundation again, despite the loss of five starters from a unit that finished fourth nationally in scoring defense (14.3 ppg) and No. 1 in three other categories. Phillips and Meriweather must develop into playmakers in the mold of Ed Reed and Sean Taylor. Last season, Miami scored only once on defense, and no defender had more than three interceptions and only one had as many as five sacks.