Miami-FIU - What would your punishment be?
Some people, such as SI.com's Stewart Mandel, feel Miami is letting its players off easy. Today, we want you to be the ACC League Office. How would you discipline the members of both teams who were involved? At SIOC, we'd suspend all players involved for three games and dismiss FIU's Smith and McDuffie as well as Miami's Reddick. We’d also fire Larry Coker right now for his awful coaching performance and the overall deterioration of the Miami program. He's likely to get fired at the end of the season anyway, so why not do it now and send a strong message to the players that this type of behavior won't be tolerated? That's how we'd do it, what would your punishments be? Comments:I would suspend the players involved the remainder of the season and cancel the rest of the season, then fire the Miami coach.
Cocker has got to be fired for this, he has lost control of everything at the U.
I would: fire Larry Coker, kick Miami out of the ACC, convene the board of regents and have them cancel Miami's football program altogether, and reinstate all of the FIU players immediately.
to suspend the players for the rest of the year would be radically obsurd..if you ever once played a down on the gridiron, and experienced the brotherhood between you and the guys you went to battle with every game you would have done the same thing these players did..these guys were reacting with their human nature, and the same pure adrenaline that these schools give them full ride scholarships to channel onto the field..this has no place in sports, but these players reacted how we all would have given the situation and the suspensions are reasonable.
The coaching staffs from both schools should be held accountable for the actions of their players. The players involved should be reprimanded accordingly.
I'm with the previous poster. They've disgraced their community, school and team. There is no place on the team for these thugs.
it shouldn't go unnoticed that this fight happened during "Join-a-Team, Not-a-Gang" Day, in which 700 children were in attendance as part of the program. Some role models...
After careful review of the riot film , I would give any player that ran off of the sideline to join into the melee ,that was not part of the original team that was in play at the time of the incident, an automatic one game suspension, if the film review showed ANY PLAYER(original team on the field or sideline) involved in any kind of actual assault;(ie..,STOMPING,KICKING,SLAMMING,USING AN OBJECT FOR A WEAPON); I would suspend them for the season and revoke thier scholarship. All other players involved in addition to their one game suspension:would be placed on athletic probation that would include-MANDATORY anger management classes, if they failed to attend these classes they would forfit their scholarships with the athletic department.I also think that some form of community service should be mandatory ,particularly for the youth that was invited as per MIAMI to Observe a college football game ,just so those kids don't have that one game forever marred into their heads, and that this kind of behavior is in anyway acceptable! I THINK THIS WOULD BE A CLEAR MESSAGE THAT THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR IS NOT TOLERATED!
How can you call a one-game suspension for the Duke game a punishment? That doesn't even qualify as a punishment, does it. In my mind, they haven't even been punished yet.
They should take away the players groupies for at least 24 hours.
The President of UM has disgracefully avoided decisive action. She along with the football coach should be discharged immediately. If I recall, she had the final say in admitting the 11 arrest Willie Williams so she IS involved in the football program. The entire culture at UM needs changing and it starts at the top.
...cancel the remainder of the season, fire Coker AND suspend the ACC commissioner for his statement and apparent belief that a one game suspension for those involved 'will show 'em that we mean business...'
I think that people who haven't played any type sports are making to many suggestion on someone else should do!! Those guys out there on the field are brothers form a different mother so to speak. You would let someone hit your brother in the mouth would you? Granted might have gotten a little out of hand, but it's funny how in baseball they clear the benches all the time and its no big deal. Or what about hockey they fight all the time, matter of fact most of the fans come to game just to see a fight and all they get 2 minutes in the plenaty box. People stop trying to the world a better place people can't be perfect all the time. What every the schools gives these guys seems fit for the school so it should fit for you.
Players and coaches involved given lifetime suspensions from NCAA.
Fire both coaches and revoke the scholarships of all involved. There is simply no excuse and an example must be made of the incident...suspending them for one game (against Duke no less) does nothing.
"these players reacted how we all would have given the situation and the suspensions are reasonable"
I'm sorry, I didn't realize that taking off your helmet and swinging it at another person's head was a forgivable action. I was under the impression that under any other circumstance, that would be considered a criminal offense, but I guess I was wrong. Did anyone here realize that the Miami PD had hosted 750 kids at that game? It was part of their "Join a Team, not a Gang" promotion. That's sad . . .
The FIU players dismissed from the team, the suspensions and additional punishments should stand. Strock and FIU have stepped up and handed out punishments that seem appropriate. The kid swinging crutches may deserve another look, tho. Miami should dismiss Reddick and Meriweather (?) for swinging helmets and stomping on legs. This is where the U is playing catch-up to FIU to mete out discipline. They belatedly made Reddick's suspension indefinite. Community service and anger management should be instated. Neither team should be allowed to participate in a post-season bowl game, or league championship game. OK, not likely an issue for FIU. Each league should consider probation or some such penalty for these teams. I noticed Strock on the field trying to corrale his players. Did Coker do the same? I didn't see him out there, but that doesn't mean he wasn't doing the same as Strock. Pretty sad when FIU ends up taking the high ground with the decision to add further punishment to all of the suspended players. Miami president Shalala stated that a "new standard has been set" ... unfortunately that standard is too low to measure.
Jail
Lets face it, half of Miami players are going there anyway so why not just get it over with. A sad day in College Football... Where is the NCAA in all of this? What is the penality for being ejected from a game for a rough penality? A ONE game suspension? There should be more penalities here. Why did the referrees continue the game? How about a forfeit for both teams? Coaching is tough and trying to control 60 high strung players is not easy. What penalities have been handed down in other incidents like this? Sad, sad, sad day in college sports...
"This is not the old Miami. This is the new Miami. We've always known we can't make mistakes. We don't get a break," UM Chancellor Donna Shalala said.
Sorry Donna... but it's still the same 'ol Miami. If she had any guts she would fire Coker, offer to forfeit the FIU game (both teams should forfeit the game), and suspend the football team for the rest of the year (and forfeit the rest of the games). FIU should also forfeit the rest of their games, too. THAT would send a real message (yes, I'm well aware of the scheduling issues that would be raised with the other teams on their remaining schedules... too bad... that's what you get for letting Miami into your conference!). I find it amusing that there are a few among you that saying that "this is a brotherhood" and they were protecting each other and their home turf. Do it with the score, not your fists. Have we not proven in the thousands of years that man has been on this planet that fighting solves nothing?? I am not saying I have never been involved in a fight, but never on the playing field that I respected. Why would I want to desecrate the place where I spent countless hours running, practicing, and playing. I can possibly understand the two players that originally got into the fight, but after that the other guys should have been smart enough to grab their teammate and walk them away. What do you do when your drunk buddy lips off to the 6'4" 250 lb linebacker who just lost the game and is at the bar unwinding? You take your buddy by the shirt, apologize to the large man and walk away. Pretty simple, but then again, we are dealing with miami
I'd fire the head coach of miami, and dissmiss all the players involved
"You would let someone hit your brother in the mouth would you?"
Guess what, if I defend my brother in a fight by smacking some guy in the head, I still go down for assault and battery. Any player that used anything as a weapon, helmet, crutch, cleat to stomp on a leg, anything like that dismissed from the team and the school and prosecuted. Those are crimes and they are criminals, not student-athletes. Everyone else, 3 game suspension. This is not what you fire Coker over, no coach could stop that once it started, but it could be high on the list when his future is discussed at the end of the year, that this COULD (and did) happen on his watch.
I would suspend all of those who were caught on camera stomping, swinging helmets, or using other things (crutches?) as weapons and revoke their scholarships. I would not defend my brother if he attacked the wrong person. That's not family, that's vengeance and it only breeds more violence. The coaches of each team should be placed on probation and fired at the next incident for eithere school.
Any player that used anything as a weapon, helmet, crutch, cleat to stomp on a leg, anything like that dismissed from the team and the school and prosecuted. Those are crimes and they are criminals, not student-athletes. Everyone else, 3 game suspension. This is not what you fire Coker over, no coach could stop that once it started, but it could be high on the list when his future is discussed at the end of the year, that this COULD (and did) happen on his watch.
Fire Coker, he obviously doesn't have control of this squad. Indefinitely suspend everyone who left the bench. Those who did more than pushing and shoving, i.e. used their helmet as a weapon, and/or stomped on players with their cleats - they're done for the season. Period. It's time this foolishness ends before it gets worse. It's a game. Exercise some conviction and try to stop this deviant behavior before it ruins the sport!
The one game suspensions are ridiculous. It should be a two game minimum for those involved. Also, Reddick needs to be booted from the team, as should Meriweather. Stomping your cleats into a guys legs while he is prone on the ground is just as dangerous career-wise.
As a young alumna of the University of Miami, I could not be more horrified by the actions of UM's players or the lack of action by the school. To suspend players for one game (Duke no less!!) does not send the message that this action will not be tolerated. It lets them know that with a little slap on the wrist (likely done more for PR reasons than anything) this disgrace will be swept under the rug. Whether it takes extended suspensions or outright dismissals of players and coaches, these kids have GOT to realize that they are representatives of the school, and if they don't hold this position with honor, they have no right to step on to the field. I want my Canes to win just as much as the next person, but the last thing I want to see is their reputation being tarnished by a thug brawl. Coker probably won't have a job next year, but the next guy had better concentrate on building a team with strong character AND skill. UM is obviously lacking the leadership it needs to keep its program in order - so they need to do whatever it takes to reign everyone in and straighten them out!
...cancel the remainder right after Coker let go....
Coker should be fired immediately and ALL the players involved should be suspended for the remainder of the season, not just Reddick. The penalties handed down by Miami are a joke.....
first fire miami's coach he's has no control over his team anymore not only this incident but last years bowl game as well and both teams benches cleared so instead of suspending just the main players involved suspend the whole team for both teams for one game and of course they have to forfeit that game but all should be suspended since all were involved
Dismiss those players that cam clearly be seen on tape swinging helmets, punching, and leg stomping. Another good move would be to stop recruiting players with questionable mental capacities. Same goes for hiring game announcers too.
To the anonymous poster who compared this incident to being in a battle. This is a game, not a war. Anyone who thinks differently should have a conversation with someone who has been to Baghdad recently.
All fighting players should get one game. The players who came from the sidelines, three games. If they used a weapon, season long suspension. I don't understand how the ACC and the NCAA still don't get it. The only way that you will get players to buck up is to take a 2-tiered approach by suspending the universities for 2 years and forfeiting this year's season. This penalizes the players (yes including those who don't deserve to be) who should have known better than to be such morons, and worse, criminals in an COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC EVENT. Second, this hurts the universities in terms of their money/finances/revenue, and morale. Don't you think that taking Miami and FIU would completely devastate the students as well as the athletic department? (More Miami than FIU). This sends a clear, direct message to the hierachy that if you do not keep a handle on your players, you will risk losing your season, your money, and whatever collateral damage that comes.
I don't understand how they think suspending the players for 1 game is going to do anything. The stomping made me sick (think Haynesworth) as did the helmet and the bodyslam. These thugs should never have the opportunity to play in the NFL or in college anymore. Yet you know, the brilliant NFL people (like Marvin Lewis) will always foresake integrity for talent. The punishment is way too lenient. This is the 3rd incident for the Hurricanes in one calendar year (post game with LSU, pre-game with Louisville, FIU game). These people are not "kids" anymore. At 18 years old, you should know whether or not it's right to stomp on someone while wearing cleats or use your helmet to hit someone. Both teams should forfeit the rest of their games, but that's not happening. 3 games each.
I know this is a pipe dream, but here's the overall response I'd like to see to the fight at the Miami game over the weekend. If that is the type of sportsmanship that is being taught at that school (or any school), than the response from the NFL should be to boycott - TOTALLY - that school during the upcoming NFL draft. If those college coaches (& department heads) get the message that if they promote the winning at any cost, regardless of any type of sportsmanship, and the their players will not be held accountable for their actions (remember Duke), then the NFL will have no part of their program. And if the kids that have the potential to get to that level of playing in the NFL realize that going to that type of school leaves them with no future potential, then there MIGHT be some real changes. Until then, they'll get their slap on the hand, finish up their degrees in basket weaving 101, sign up w/ a pro team and life goes on... & hopefully, enough fans will get fed up w/ it that we'll turn them off.
Dave Pgh, pa A one game suspension is the norm in college football for fighting. Simply ban both teams from psot season play. Like SC and Clemson voluntarily did a couple of years ago.
I'd have to say I'd be more disappointed if the Miami players DIDN'T rush the field in defense of their teammates. FIU has it right, Miami has it right for the helmet swinging guy, and Meriweather should get the same punishment, but he won't because he is (to some journalists) an All-American. Did I mention he is Captain of the defense, his "leading" shows the kind of character he has. I wonder if while Marcus Vick was in Miami he gave a workshop on stomping on opposing players?
Both teams should have to forfeit their next 2 games, Miami won't take harsher action because all they are is football, and losing that would devistate the U. Three tiered punishment---
1. If a player left the bench(sideline) to enter the fracas (got within 10 yards of an opposing player), he should get a one game suspension effective immediately. From the replay, it appears that about 30-40 players from each side would be sitting out the next game. This is the rule from the NBA and NHL and is pretty simple. 2. If a player was already on the field, he gets to go to the next level. His actions should be judged based upon the standard code of conduct for any other player on the field. Players shove, strike and kick other players all the time and are dealt with in a standard manner, usually encompassing an ejection and/or suspension. 3. For the most flagrant infractions, ie. using a helmet or crutch as a weapon or stomping on a prone opponent, the player should receive a minimum 4 game suspension. But based upon the ugly nature of this entire episode, those players should receive a one year suspension. Thanks SI for allowing all the Miami haters to express how they feel. We all know how SI feels about the Canes with your issue back in the 90's calling for the termination of the Miami program.
I am not proud of what happened in Miami but it is sad that this is what you decide to dwell on. Especially when other programs kids are walking into a local business and taking money or getting arrested for numerous things. I guess that's Miami fault too huh? You should be ashamed of your bias attitude. Forfiet the next game, then the following week administer the one week suspensions. I would also make both teams bowl in-eligable for this season. Duke can play whoever FIU was supposed to play next week.
It could be Dukes only ACC win. The University of Miami's football program has been in decline for several years now. Miami Football must have started recruiting players straight from the hood. These people have no morals, integrity, or respect for the game of football. Miami and FIU should be forced to forfeit the game, and their chance to appear in a bowl game(Not that either team really had a chance). Reddick should be charged with assault and battery.
However, there should be no punishment for the coaches. The coaches have no control over the players in such a situation. Imagine trying to step in the middle of a brawl between Division I football players. There is nothing that the coaches could have done. Coker is quite possibly the worst coach in Division I football and will be on his way out shortly. He managed to take a prestigious program and turn it into what appears to be a prison yard team. Miami is due for some NCAA sanctions. I think both schools should be slapped with loss of TV coverage the rest of the season, and both should be stripped of two scholarships each.
Given Miami's tendency to brawl the past two years, I'd also slap Miami with a two-year probation. If they are involved in any more fights, then stiffer sanctions should apply, like loss of a bowl game. I'd fire entire coaching staff and suspend rest of the season for both teams. This behavior is unacceptable to both universities.
I'd fire the rest of the coaching staff && forfiet the rest of the season. For the players who were involved in the brawl, suspend them indefinitely.
The two football programs should be disbanded by the NCAA for the rest of the season. All scholarships should be cancelled. The coaching staffs should be replaced.
Starting next season, the two universities should be allowed only limited football programs as they go through a process of earning their athletic standing back (earning... what a concept!). Until then their programs should be "on probation" and be unable to offer scholarships while they rebuild a dignified, adult, professional, and ethical program. Schiano to the rescue !!! Time to start over at Miami.Bunch of animals!!
I loved Donna Shalala defending Miami's penalties. It can't happen again...Donna....look back to the Peach Bowl vs. LSU, look at the Louisville game...Hello? How many breaks is this team going to get..... 4 strikes and you are out? Miami has lost credibility as a school while, forgive me FIU alums and students, little known or thought of FIU has gained credibility. It comes down to backers and $ for Miami, not credibility. Stop jerking us around Donna and tell us that it is about the $. Bill Clinton must be wincing to ever think that you were Sec. of Ed.
Miami should match the punishments handed down by FIU to its players. Miami has obviously identified who needs to be punished and who the worst offender was (we may not agree, but at least it was done). Suspend all players involved indefinitely, to be at least 2 games, and the worst of the bunch get kicked off the team. Everyone on the team does community service. FIU acted strongly, but unlike FIU, Shalala, Swofford and Coker have dollars to lose for every Miami loss. They try to talk a good game, but in the end they just want to sweep it under the rug. Both schools should be ashamed, but at least FIU sent a real message to its athletes.
let FIU meet that idiot commentator under the stands like he wanted and fire Coker
What a joke! Miami got off way too easy- typical of their program. No permanent suspensions?? Look at the tapes it is very easy to see that there should be a number of Miami players kicked off the team!
Having officiated sports at both High School and NCAA level, I watched the melee through several rebroadcasts on TV. Granted, this is not a good angle to observe and comment, but here goes.... there are a minimum of 5 officials in this level of college football. I noted 3 of those 5 toss their second flag(backup)during the brawl of which later reports stated it was more than 5 minutes. The on-field officials should have ruled a double forfeit, considering the sidelines of both teams was practically empty of players; the ACC Commissioner should have forced a one-game (minimum) suspension for all players who rushed from the sidelines; a season suspension for those involved physically with a possible forfeiture of scholoships; termination of Larry Coker (given his lack of control of his players as demonstrated in previous games); and an investigation by Florida Law Enforcement for possible assult charges, (especially for the UM player, #26, using his helemt as a weapon) against all of the players for "dirty cheap shots."
For all those who claim that there is a "brotherhood" not understood.....
Mob mentallity is not brotherhood. Taking your logic to its most ridiculous extreme: Soldiers and Marines are trained to take human life as just ONE small aspect of theur training, Should they be excused from murder if they do it in a group when they come home? Of course not. An taking a life is only one part of what they are trained to do, by the way. Niether should we excuse a football program which demonstrates its propensity to take one small aspect of the game, aggression namely, and run amok. Aggression and team work is only one part of the training. If UM and FIU cannot admit athletes with high enough IQs to understand that, then do away with the programs until the adminstrators can prove otherwise to the NCAA. Most of the comments below seem to have been written by people who have 1) never played football 2) been in a fight.
I bet you cowards won't tell the UM players how you feel to their faces. You would probably your lose teeth, your wallet, and likely your girlfriend or wife. She would off to party with "The 7th Floor Crew." everyone involved should be out for the season, and should not be allowed a scholarship next year
The majority of FIU players wanted to go to Miami but were not recruited. They thought if they couldn't join 'em then they could beat 'em - literally.
Don Strock knew of the tension building amonst the FIU players & did nothing to stop it. After 6 personal fouls against FIU the officials should have taken over but didn't. Most of the UM players were defending themselves with a few exceptions. For punishment leave Strock coach his winless thugs until the end of the year when he will be fired. As for the Hurricanes 1 game suspensions are approprite. "Thanks SI for allowing all the Miami haters to express how they feel."
I want to make it clear - I am not a Miami hater. I bought 5 season tickets yearly for 5 years. The only reason we are no longer season ticket holders is our jobs took us away from the area. Those tickets were for us and the kids. I thought - and still believe - that supporting a local university and allowing my sons to experience seeing college football is a positive thing. I'm now a University of South Florida fan, but that does not mean I have turned into a Miami hater. Speaking for Florida only, the high school association has the following rules: ACCORDING TO THE FHSAA BYLAWS: 107.03 Disqualification (ejection) for gross unsportsmanlike conduct (Bylaw 11.11.2). (1) Student-Athlete is suspended from competition for remainder of contest and all contests on all levels for up to a period of six weeks; if last contest of season, suspension is served in the next sport in which the student-athlete participates; beginning with second such ejection in any sport, school is assessed a $250 fine per occurrence. My son, and I had to sign a pledge that if he was ejected from the game for the above infraction, WE were responsible for the $250 fine incurred by the school. Our high school kids know this. Shouldn't the college level athletes know this and have something equally punitive? I don't want to see either university forfeit EVERYTHING - however, post-season play is logical. I stand by what I posted earlier. Oklahoma and Barry Switzer look like saints compared to the morally bankrupt program that Coker has. Coker is out of control, his football team is out of control, the whole damn program is out of control.
I would can Coker now, kick the punks off the team and out of school and rebuild. The reality. . .Miami is a classless program and will continue to rummage for street thugs. Doesn't anyone want to mention Saturday's postgame brawl between Holy Cross and Dartmouth? Or are the Ivy League types immune to thug tags/
Cancel the remainder of the Miami season. They have shown no remorse. They may say they are sorry but how can people believe that. All I have gotten from the interviews is Miami trying to justify it. They act like they are proud of what they have done. I'm so sick of Miami players talking about how teams must show them respect or get hit. What a joke! Miami, you're not even ranked! The Miami president and coach are a joke. This stuff doesn't happen at USC, Notre Dame, Texas A&M, etc but it seems to happen at Miami all the time. I'll be the biggest Duke fan there is this week!
I would permanently ban all players involved from all collegiate sports, ban both schools from any telecast (and their share of telecast profits) for the remainder of the year, ban both schools from participating in any post-season bowls for 4 years, and take away 1 scholarship per year from each school for 4 years. I would also place both coaches under permanent, zero-tolerance probation.
Since Miami can't handle this on their own, the ACC needs to step in and impose a 2 game suspension for anyone clearly (as in seen on tape) involved. Helmet swingers, stompers, etc should be suspended for the rest of the season. In addition, no bowl for Miami this year, plus probation for the next 3. If the ACC won't do that, then the NCAA should.
I would say fire Coker, but he was on his way out anyway. Everybody wants to fire Coker... what about Don Strock? Now the entire incident is Miami's Fault? South Carolina & Clemson Suspended players for 1 game for their incident...but Miami should have much harsher punishments? These are 18 year old kids whom made a very bad decision & an inexcusable mistake...but I think the capital punishment that most want is a little overboard... Reedick is going to sit out most of the year (as appropriate).... remember these are Student Athletes... Look at the NCAA Stats... University of Miami Grad rates for football are well above average and for the most part the nplayers have had very few off field incidents.... In the Last 6 years less UM players have had Off field incidents & arrests then University of Florida, Florida State University, Notre Dame, and the Air Force Academy!!!! will survive
To the ignorant poster that stated all Miami is is football.... they have 4 baseball NCAA National Championships.... better go back to UF for graduate school... I heard that is where they teach you how to read!
I shudder when I think of Miami players stomping on someone, what with the added weight of their electronic monitoring bracelets half of them have to wear on their ankles. The Hurricons will never change, as long as they get suspended for the Duke game as a punishment. As far as the Florida Upstairs School of Makeup, Law, and Diesel Engine maintanence goes, at least they threw down some decent punishments.
If this would have been another, school would the outcry for people's jobs be so big? I don't remeber the SC, Clemson fight getting all this attention. By the way, that guy aj (1:57 PM), the one that left the obviously biased comment, tell him to not be such a hater.
To te anonymous poster who said that SI is picking on his poor canes. That has got to be the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. The U has had altercations with three of the last seven opponets they have faced. Coker had to actually tell his players earlier this year not to carry guns around with them. But I guess that since a few other schools have problems every once in a while SI should concentrate on those instead of the reaccuring problems coming from Miami. I can definitely see now that SI is biased towards your canes
this is in response to the anonymous poster at 6:12.
FIU should not have any sympathy. they caused the fight. its getting really annoying to hear from everyone who didnt watch the game at all until the fight broke out blame miami for the whole thing. fiu began the whole thing in the first quarter. first you knock out the star tight end with a cheapshot, then you cheapshot kenny phillips after he was already down in the endzone. then you go after kyle wrights knees. oh and for good measure you take out the holder and punter which started the whole thing. Miami should NOT match the punishments meted out by FIU. FIU caused it by attacking a UM player on the field, and so their punishments should be tougher. Seems fairly simple to me. It makes me laugh how many people are so adamant that it should me two games minumim- if it WERE two games, they'd be crying it should be three. Miami is an easy program to be jealous of, people are going to hate on them, no matter what they did, and no matter what punishment they meted out.
if i were sports illustrated, i would stop sending mixed messages. on the one hand you guys are calling for stiff punishments while at the same time glorifying this brawl and brawls in general by having a special section in your gallery for them.
I believe that the ACC should suspend the whole Miami football program for the remainder of the 2006 football season and fine the University of Miami a substanchel amount to compinsate for any lost revanue due to this brawl.
Wow --- I did not realize I stepped onto fantasy island.
Take away their scholarships, suspend them from the team, fire this person, fire that person, close the school, eliminate Miami from the map. Sure there is no place for what happened in college football, but all the above (with some exaggeration) have been suggested and that is ridiculous. Players should lose their scholarships because of 1 fight on the field where all hell was breaking loose and no one had control, but it is ok for UF to decrease the suspension for a two-time drug offender just in time for their rough stretch of the season. Fire Urban Meyer, close UF he has lost control, take away his scholarship there is no place for that in college football. Suspend the players for a game and suspend Meriweather and Reddick for 2-3 games at most. Community outreach and anger management. Be realistic -- no one cares about FIU, well because they are FIU and everyone likes to stick it to Miami because well they are Miami. Get off the Canes back or punish UF, Auburn and others for letting players out of their suspensions for key games. Also great message the Big 12 is sending ---- close the school, Stoops has lost control allowing a convicted felon on the sidelines during a game, strip OU of all their titles, hell Oklahoma should lose its statehood and be considered North Texas or Texas Jr. Relax and wake up and stop hating on the Canes because they are the Canes. Go Noles!!! (and the CrimiNOLES was popular back in like 1993 so you are about 13 years too late with that response) As a student at Miami, many would expect me to take it easy on the team because I want to see them win out and go to the BCS. Well I am going to go the exact opposite direction. I think that Reddick and Meriweather should be dismissed from the team and the other players already suspended should lose the rest of the season. The punishment of these thirteen doesn't cover everyone. The entire team rushed the field and acted like a bunch of hooligans with their celebration after the fight and therefore the entire team deserves some sort of punishment. I believe this punishment should be along the lines of South Carolina's and Clemson's for their postgame brawl. The Miami football team should not be allowed to play in a bowl game this year. I would not fire Coker immediately. I want to test him with the rest of the season. These players will now have nothing to play for and I want to see if he can still motivate them to win. If he can and they finish the season strong, he stays. If they flounder and lose half of their remaining games, he goes at the end of the season. There is no reason to bring in a new coach now as this should be a lameduck season anyway.
There is a difference between pride in one's school and team and kicking someone who is on the ground or running off of the sideline to swing your helmet at another player's head... let's remember that these teams have no history of rivalry, they aren't even in the same conference, they haven't even ever played before... the brawl is a black eye for both schools and though I am all for taking the time to review the evidence to come to the most fair and appropriate decision, action needs to be taken NOW. The players and coaches must be held accountable. (I do feel for Larry Coker because, as if his season could get any worse, he also coaches for a team with a history of a bad attitude and a general "thugs" disposition.) Here's my advice to Donna Shalala and the FIU president- TONIGHT review the tape make a list of players involved and the severity of their actions, suspend from games accordingly and especially in the case of Miami, any player involved should not be allowed to participate in any post season bowl game activities. Their punishment cannot be limited to games suspended, if they had done this on the streets they'd have a court date and be looking at charges of aggravated assault, so I think some significant community service hours should be part of their "punishment" as well. PS- Players and fans of the "U," stop being THAT team, the attitude and the "swagger" are not signs of pride in the university instead they just keep getting you in trouble and embarassing your team and your school. Show real school pride, lose and win with some class, and stop consistently proving to the nation and the NFL that Miami is a disciplineless bunch of thugs.
Fire Coker, not for controll of the team, but because they arent winning. Who cares about the fight....worse things happen in the trenches during a game than what happened on that field. I would pat Miami on the back and say, "as long as you continue to win, beat the hell out of anyone you want" There is no class in football, across the nation, ND, USC, Ohio State, they are all wanna be street hustlas and thugs...no one gives a shit about class...and why should they? they will be making millions one day, while all of us will be making our $45,000 a year...
First of all I would like to say that FIU is doing the right thing. It seems to me that the President of Miami cares more about winning then she does about right and wrong. The fact of the matter is that suspending players for one game at Duke is giving them a rest not punishing them.If Miami was smart they just suspend the players for the rest of the season. Lets face it this has been a down year for them anyways. This way Miami gets at least some postive feedback out of this.
Anyone who ran on the field and laid a finger on anyone should be suspended for the end of the year. The helmet whip guy should be banned from NCAA Football. Miami should forfeit the game and be banned from the postseason for the next 3 years.
You cant spell thug, without the "U".
Revoke the scholarships, fire the coach. Don't these thugs know they had numbers on their jerseys and they were on film? We know who they are! That program needs discipline.
and the Dartmouth - Holy Cross brawl? Do we ignore that because we had little or know coverage? Curry's column on ESPN said it all - end of season for those intending to harm, reward for those trying to stop the mayhem.
i wouldnt suspend any of the miami players because they were defending their kicker and holder. fiu deserved their punishment as they attacked the two most hopeless people on the team
I think the LSU player that knocked a Miami player unconscious with his helmet after the peach bowl should be arrested for assault and battery.
you know what people say that miami people are thugs thats not true , stop calling marvin lewis out of his name because those same thuggish people that yall dont like come out to be some of the best players yeah i agree that the helment swingging was wrong but you dont think about that stuff when your in a brawl you do whatever comes to mind
Hats off to FIU and Strock for at least trying to send a clear message. Miami's punishment is a joke. Both teams should forfeit the game. There was no winner that night. It should show as a loss on both records. Any player shown on tape trying to harm anyone should be dismissed from the team, scholarship revoked, and prosecuted under the law. Other players involved should be suspended for the rest of the season. No bowl game for either team. Coker should be fired immediately. He clearly has no control over this team. Remember, this is the third instance of outrageous behavior by Miami in the last few games. The Miami president and the ACC commissioner should be fired. They clearly have no understanding of the importance of this incident. Sportsmanship is the thing that matters here. They obviously don't even begin to understand this concept. A truly clear message needs to be sent to everyone- players, coaches, youngsters, fans, and non-fans- that this is not what sport is about and that it will not be tolerated for one second. The University of Miami has sent the opposite message.
Each player that was involved should be suspended for the rest of the season. No way is one game an appropriate punishment. When Clemson and S. Carolina fought, they both waived their right to go to a bowl game that year. And that was with Lou Holtz as coach. We've all seen him on ESPN. The man is crazy but at least he realized the magnitude of the situation.
I don't know that you fire Coker right now. Maybe you do, maybe you don't. I think you definitely get rid of him at the end of the year though, but that's just becuase he is seemingly lost control of this program, recruiting included. I see this being very similar to the Nebraska/ Frank Solich situation except for the fact that the University of Nebraska has more class than the "U". Frank fired his assistants and not even one year later, he was gone. Look for Coker to be canned before the bowl game. Miami has failed to act appropriately. A quick review of the tape shows not only the player using his helmet as a weapon, but at least 2 other UM players stomping on other players. They get one game for that? Did UM prez Shalala even bother to look at the film herself? FIU appears to have handed down harsher punishments. For UM: view the film again....slowly.....if players were involved in fighting - 2 to 3 games; kicking or stomping another player - suspend for the balance of the season; using helmet or other equipment as a weapon - permanent dismissal. Some previous posters feel that "boys will be boys". Don't know about them, but I was brought up to know the difference between defending yourself, and determining right vs. wrong; and simply being involved in a brawl. UM's administration is presenting itself to the public as a "let's see how little we can do and get away with it" group. I do agree with anger management classes and community service. Also, these two teams should never play each other again.
Kick every player (bench or starter) who participated off the team. Fire Coker (since this is his 8389489489349034983892nd offense). Suspend the FIU coach for one game (since this is his first offense). Get rid of Donna Shalala and George Bush.
The players from Miami should be suspended for the rest of the season, and before being reinstated, be required to attend anger management classes and so community service, such as FIU is doing with it's players. Then we'll see how much "brotherhood" or "hood" exists.
I admire what Donna Shalala did. She did not crumble under the pressure from the media. She put an end to the "feeding frenzy". She did not do something that would jeopardize the futures of these kids.
Yes, they are kids. What they did was stupid, and should be punished. The media can say "Throw them off the team" and forget about what happens. It's easy to judge without having to think about the repercussions. It's easy for Stuart Mandel to say what he says cuz he doesn't need to think about it after it's done. He doesn't care what Anthony Reddick is like as a person under normal circumstances, he saw that one image and judged the kid to be a thug and therefore undeserving of forgiveness or a future. Every guy has been in at least 1 fight defending their friends. It's a heat of the moment thing that most of us regret later on. There are bigger issues in college football, things much worse than a bunch of teenagers getting into a fight. Kids killing other kids, kids dying on practice fields, the NCAA using the same kids to make billions of dollars. Although I admit the players did get off fairly lightly, I think this is getting blown way out of proportion. One additional thing. This is clear sign that Larry Coker is not a disciplinarian. I think this was the nail in his coffin. As a former University of Miami athlete I couldn't be happier. Two of the most despicable people I have come across on this earth are getting their just desserts. Donna Shalala and Paul Dee are the worst human beings ever. I am loving every bit of negative press the media is piling on them. Even Paul Dee and his enormous gut can't eat his fat a$$ out of this one. I hope Dee, Shalala and Coker have a good real estate agent that can sell their undeserved multimillion dollar homes within this month. Hopefully when they cancel the football team revoke all their scholarships and bring back the teams that rightful deserved the scholarships before Title IX compliance.
I think that Miami should not only match the punishments that FIU did, but both schools should step up in a way South Carolina did a few years back and take themselves out of bowl eligability. A hard stance needs to be taken and a slap on the wrist isnt going to fulfill that. I dont know anything about FIU's program, but Miami's program has now become one of the least respected programs to me because of their feeling that a one game suspension against Duke will teach these idiots a lesson. Hopefully the NCAA steps in and screws them over in a business way because the school will never do it on its own.
I'm sensing a lot of animosity towards the U. Where was all that animosity when Clemson and SC went at it? Should the Pacers and Pistons also shut down their programs too? Should Reggie Bush give back his Heismann? And on, and on...You people need to get off your damned soap box!
All players involved should be suspended for the remainder of the season and the game itself should be forfeited.
The Coaching staffs of both programs should be reprimanded and Coker should be fired immdiately. Donna Shalala should resign immediately along with the ACC Commissioner, Wofford. Those two folks are the biggest disappointments of all. Their leadership and propriety is disgraceful. Fire both coaches, NOW,period.
"Fire" all athletes who were suspended, NOW, period. Shalala's "zero tolerance" for the future is right, but a day late and a lot of dollars short. ANY future "incidents" of any kind involving Miami should equal the DEATH PENALTY, a la SMU (only this is worse than anything the Ponies ever did). To those of you complaining that SI has an anti-Miami bias, that they are out to get "the U" (whatever), look at what has transpired and think hard about whether or not a university condone this type of behavior. By handing out this weak punishment, the University of Miami is saying that if you act like a thug and fight on the field, you will only be suspended one game, against an opponent that is terrible to begin with. What kind of message is that sending to the athletes from this program? Is it teaching them anything? Stop making stupid "bias" accusations, and see this for what it really was. The only people defending the so-called U are those who are their fans and their administration. I used to cheer for Miami when I was younger, but as I've grown up and have a kid now, I realize that a university like that is definitely not what I want for my son to look up to. Stop being subjective, and look at the situation objectively. Is that behavior something you want your kids to look up to?
Did anyone see what happened in 1971 between Notre Dame(the choir boys football team) and USC(america's favorite while they are hot.) These two teams got into a massive brawl. I do not know what happened because i was not even born, but I guarantee the fans of college football and the media did not treat neither team in this fashion. Yes, The actions displayed by both team's players was unacceptable, but MIAMI DID NOT START THIS altercation that happened Saturday. Oh yeah a player in the USC-ND fight did use a helmet as a weapon. I am a upset Miami fan because the way the media always mentions THUGS and GANGTAS' when refering to Miami.
GO C-A-N-E-S!!! As a Wisconsin resident, I can say that Miami got exactly what they deserved when they hired Donna Sha-lala-land. I've known how useless she was since I was a little kid. She claims that she hasn't even viewed the tape of the incident. The problems at the U go much higher than Lary Coker. As far as punishments go; everybody seems to agree that there's a culture of criminality at Miami, so maybe it's time to go after the program instead of the players. Hence they may have to bring in players with better character. Maybe it's time to take a page from European soccer and make them play in an empty stadium. Even better, maybe they should be relegated to D 1AA for a season. No ticket revenue, no bowl games, no TV, less scholarships may finally force Miami to serve as something other than NFL Jr. or the FFA (Future Felons of America).
All players that were involved in the fight for Miami should be suspended from the team for the year. The two players who were shown swinging the helmet and stomping on the players that were on the ground should be kicked off the team permanently. Those two weren't protecting themseleves, they were trying to hurt someone with the use of excessive force. The suspensions made by Miami is a joke. The coach is a joke and the fat lady who's the head honcho at Miami is a joke for the nonsense press conference speech she gave yesterday. In fact that whole team is a joke. They're a bunch of thugs and haven't had a good team in years. I hope they lose the rest of their games this season.
As Lou Holtz said, they are a disgrace to the sport, to their college, and themselves - they don't respect the sport, each other or themselves - there is no place for this in college football and Miami is sending a clear message that the University supports this behavior - I would bet if a brawl of this kind happened on campus among acedemic students for any reason - they would be expelled from the school -
They obviously don't care about education at Miami - What do you expect from someone who was in the Clinton Administration ? There outrageous behaviour was tolerated and even celebrated.
These posts are ridiculous.. Cancel the season, calling the players a bunch of animals. I would bet that no one on this board has ever played a college sport, probably never played a high school sport. Yes, Merriweather and Redick should be suspended for multiple games, and Coker definitely needs to be fired because he has lost complete control of this team (behavior and performance wise). But to say Miami should cancel the program, or be kicked out of the ACC is as foolish as the behavior of a select few of the members of the Miami football team.
Big surprise that Shalala was in the Clinton administration. There such behaviour was tolerated and ven celebrated
As the ACC head, I would definitely scrutinize the video till I had every one of those thugs identified. I would send a strong message throughout the NCAA with the termination of each scholarship and cancel remaining games. Automatic probation for 5 years. Miami has always been THUG U, it's their mentality. No more, Universities must be held accountable.
I think the punishments are suitable. With that said, Charles Woodson vs. David Boston on the first play of the game drew no suspensions even though multiple punches were thrown. All of the pre-game Florida-Florida State fights of the late 1990's never really received any negative attention. It's only because people have decided to bring up the ghosts of Miami's past indiscretions (which by the way has been no worse as far as off-the field player problems sans the Luther Campbell incident as other programs) and link them to the program now that has Miami as being labeled "Thug U".
What would the appropriate punishment be for any student engaged in such activity? Do the same. If it means the kids are expelled, then so be it.
However, if, and for as long as another university allows, the culprits to enroll at their school as scholarshipped students, there will be no real precedent set to deter this kind of activity. The most important part of the punishment should be take their scholarships away. You don't need to fire Larry Coker, all of the media is making him go through more than he would if he were fired, so keeping him there and letting him lose in the ACC is more of a punishment than letting him get out of it. But back to the players, they should be suspended for 2 of the major games in the ACC because, suspending them against Duke and NC St. is pointless. The scholarships is the key factor.
Each player and coach from both teams, as well as the University presidents should be compelled to send a LEGIBLE, SPELL-CHECKED, handwritten letter of apology to each one of the 700+ children who were in attendance at that game.
After that, cancel the programs of both schools for 2007. Resume in 2008 and instead of recruiting and rewarding such thugs with scholarships, go ahead and hire released violent offenders. Who knows? It might turn into an interesting redshirt program?!?! one game suspensions.........you have to be kidding!! the players are lucky they weren't arrested but then again this is The U and division 1 football. The University of Miami president should have laid the hammer down and disciplined all involved. Crocker should have been fired on the spot but then the U would not receive any $$$$ from the NCAA because half their team would be gone. Miami is overrated and nothing but a bunch of trash talking thugs. The U should stand for "unjust, unbelievable, and ugly"
Other programs (which are under control) issue one or more game suspensions for minor infractions. (See Auburn's suspension of a player for six games for underage drinking in the off-season). This is major and warrants more severe punishment (See Clemson and South Carollina declining bowl bids after a fight. Do you think those players will fight again soon?)
Some of you people are amazing. You call for probation for the University...loss of scholarships...cancelling Miami's football program while reinstating all of FIU's players...etc. ad nauseum.
You bring up the recent history of "thuggery" at UM. I'm a UM alum, and I am not going to defend Anthony Reddick for swinging his helmet. He should be gone for the year and given a hefty load of community sercive (50-100 hours) to complete before being given the chance to come back next year. I also won't defend the players that left the sideline to join the fray (1 game suspension for all on both teams...even if it costs the team because they can't field a team that game). I also won't defend the team's actions for what they did at Louisville...especially because they couldn't back up their bravado on the field (I actually commend the UL players for NOT starting something). Some of you keep going to the well on this LSU/Peach Bowl thing and it's absurd. You had two LSU players go to the UM sideline and grab a ball with the UM logo on it to take as some sort of trophy after their butt-kicking of my alma mater, and you people expect that none of the players from Miami would take offense and go after the ball??? Unreal. Try that BS on ANY major program after handing them such a defeat and you'll almost certainly get a similar response. Oh, and to the one person who made the comment about UM recruiting from the "hood" in an intentionally dergatory way...you're right. UM recruits kids that grow up in some nasty neighborhoods in the Miami-Dade/Broward area. As someone who works with kids from disadvantaged backgrounds in the Washington D.C. area, I tell you that these kids need HELP...they need to be educated...they need to have a firm hand on their shoulders guiding them in the RIGHT direction (and a firm foot in the backside to remind them that what they did was wrong), but Pres. Shalala was right. You don't throw these kids under the bus. I would kick all of the involved players off the team and revoke their scholarships....what a joke a single game suspension is.
FIU has shown some balls by suspending the players indefinitely while Miami and the ACC feel that one game is enough. It is not enough and everyone knows it. This is where the NCAA needs to grow a pair and step in. They too quickly step in to prevent kids like Jeremy Bloom from getting advertising money for skiing, but shy away from real conflict. It is up to the NCAA to raise the bar in this case.
In addition to the suspensions at Miami, I would make Coker and the President sit down and review every college quote of Kellen Winslow's over and over until the end of football season. Then, make them listen to his pro football rants over and over. Then maybe they will get it. If you let them get away with this now, they are doomed to repeat after their short college careers. You will have taught them nothing!
To everyone bashing Miami on this blog...think back to Clemson-SC and ask yourself if those schools received 2 year sanctions/probation/etc. Keep in mind that fight included players fighting police officers and lasted much longer. So Jonah, should Clemson and SC have lost their football programs? What about every other fight that has occurred in college football over the past 5 years? Miami does not recruit 'thugs' and from the hood which is a racist comment from a earlier poster and should not be allowed. Every college football team (Ohio State, FSU, Clemson-SC, etc) have players with anger problems, etc. Don't be so nearsighted to think that this could only have happened with Miami involved.
No bowl games, no TV, cacel this season, cancel the scholarships of those involved. Send a clear message with a signed statement that if you are lucky enough to attend the University of Miami and you are involved in any unlawful conduct either during the school year or during the summer you will be dismissed without any hearing. If this happened in a bar a street there would be criminal charges already, swinging helmets at someone's head is close to attempted murder, stamping on someone while down is chickshit stuff.
First....I would stop acting like the other bloggers....and relax.
1. Suspend Reddick for remainder of the season...which if you actually follow Miami...is exactly what indefinite means. See Ryan Moore. 2. Suspend Merriwether for another game...maybe 2 more. 3. DO NOT under any circumstance cancel the season. Unlike other programs who have had potential violations(Colorado, USC, Oklahoma and yes even Duke) we could actually see what happend. Rather then penalize the whole team...suspend those that did somethng wrong. 4. Make it policy, NCAA policy, that if you leave the bench to fight, your done...period. 5. Let's face it....football is a violent sport. If you have played the game... you know what I am talking about. Tempers flare and soemtimes a player does stupid things. So once again.... make it NCAA policy that if a player gets into a fight during the game, he is out for the remainder of the game and the next one. No questions asked. 6. Larry Coker?.....Let's face it unless he wins the ACC and goes to a BCS game...he is gone anyway. Let the man finish the season..see what he can do. Remember he is a good man, ASK ANY COACH IN THE COUNTRY. So since he is a good man give him a chance...if he produces a winner, no not just Wins, then he stays. If not.... let him bow out gracefully. We don't have to destroy everyones reputation...do we? As a boston college graduate, I cheer against miami as much as I can (we haven;t beaten them since flutie). However, in this case the calls "to cancel the season" kick all the players off the team etc are excessive. If you ran on the field and pushed and shoved there should be no punishment.. If you swung your fist to punch someone, 1 game. If you kicked repeatedly, swung your helmet, or hit a player in a defensless position, you are gone for the season and would only be let back after a hearing.. I can tell you one thing. This would NEVER happen at most schools, (including BC), and is a sign that several schools, miami included, are not tough enough on their programs.. The BC kicker for example, was suspended indefinatley for a bar fight, in which no charges were filed!!! Imagine that happening at Tenessee or Alabama!!! never..
1> All players throwing a punch, kicking, flailing a helmet, or in any way engaging in the physical violence should be dismissed from the university.
If I just up and attacked a student in the classroom I would be gone. Even if the rest of the class was already fighting. There would be an appeals process but the end result would be bye-bye. Why should the football field be any different? The football field is just an area on campus where sanctioned university events occur, just like the classroom. 2> The school officials should work with law enforcement to insure all involved parties are charged accordingly with assult, and in some cases battery. Again, if this was done on the street in front of police officers they would be booked and charged, and hopefully prosecuted. Why is the location of the football field any different? 3> These actions would lead to the necessity of cancelling the remaining games via forfeiture. 4> The coaches and their recruiting practices, training practices, and overall coaching practices should be investigated by the universities in question and action from probation to termination should result. 5> And as for anonymous with his completely misinformed statement "if you ever once played a down on the gridiron, and experienced the brotherhood between you and the guys you went to battle with every game you would have done the same thing these players did" WRONG. For so many reasons. As a thinking adult I am capable of making decisions of right and wrong, and acting accordingly. What these young men did was wrong. Plain and simple. To excuse it with your inflated machismo is disgusting at best. Secondly, football (and yes I have played and my father is a coach) is a sport, not battle. Battle is what the men and women in Iraq are dealing with. Battle is life and death. Football, and the scraped hands, the bruised shoulders, and pulled muscles, torn ACLs and concussions is NOT battle. Battle is holding your friend in your arms as they die calling for their mothers. Football is not battle, and until people like you grow up and realize that point, this sport is destined to continue its downward spiral. This bloodthirsty attitude is only slightly more offensive than the money hungry attitude of the athletic departments and conference officials, neither of which serve the greater good of society, higher learning, or the young men who play football during their college careers. Man, you all are overexaggerating. Terrible fight that deserves big punishments? Certainly. But don't single out the U as the only team to ever deal with such a predicament. They'll come back strong.
What I'd do: -Fire Coker -Dismiss Reddick and Merriweather -Suspend all involved for the rest of the season -Have both teams nullify Saturday's game I'm a Miami fan, so I realize this kills our ACC chances for this season. But in all honesty, an ACC championship this year will kill the team in the long run. Without any of those players, a bowl of any type would be questionable. Coker would be replaced with competency (Davis or Schiano would be great), and the players would understand that there's no way that the behavior displayed will be tolerated in any way. FIU got what they deserved. 35-0 and a school yard lesson. Don't come into someone elses house making noise.
Coker should be fired.
Reddick should be dismissed. Remaining players should be on indefinite suspension (though yur minimum 3 game would be acceptable). Both teams denied any bowl involvement for 2006. NCAA needs to institute a policy for minimum suspensions for fighting. NCAA also needs to implement policy for immediate dismissal of any player arrested for a felony. NCAA should also require background checks of all athletes - all sports - as part of the initial eligibility process. Felons need not apply. After the Clemson/USC fight, both teams gave up their bowl game. This was a much worse fight and a much more dangerous situation given the long standing rivalry between the two schools.
Miami should do the same, although the way the Tropical Storms (they've been downgraded from Hurricanes) have been playing, it probably won't be an issue. Some players deserve to be suspended for a game, others for a season, others kicked off the team. This should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Coker will be fired after the season anyway. They might as well do it now. I think the punishment is fair.
What happened with the Dartmouth-Holy Cross players? I didn't a report of anyone swinging a helmet, but the police are investigating nonetheless. Is there a double standard(Ivy League versus The rest of them)? Let them all play this week with the exception of Reddick. FIU should not have been so stupid as to start a fight in the first place.
The board of regents at U Miami should fire Shalala for her lack of understanding what is acceptable behavior on a sporting field.
Cooker should be asked what specific actions he is going to take so that this will not occur again. At the end of the year, his plan and execution towards it should be taken into account; however, I doubt it will be enough to keep his job. It will help him show leadership and maybe enable him to get hired somewhere else. Anyone who ran from the sidelines should get a 3 game suspension. Anyone who swung a weapon (helmet, crutch) or stomped/kicked someone who was down should be kicked off the team. those who "squared up" and fought face to face should be delt with on a case by case basis. If you started it (1-3 games suspension). If you were protecting yourself after being physically hit, no suspension. Whole team (including those kicked off) take anger management classes. There are three types of people mouthing off about this brawl. The first type are the people that are truly shocked that people could lose their temper and become physical while playing football. Those folks are not reading this blog. The other two types are fans of other teams (the majority of folks on the blog) and racist's that see things different when black players are involved instead of mostly white players at a hockey or baseball brawl
I see the hurricanes re-gained the nickname "The convicts"
If anyone was at the game they would see how much pushing, talking FIU was doing the entire game. Miami cleared its bench when a couple of FIU players teamed up on a UM player.
FIU tried to intimidate Miami but they forgot what stadium they are playing in and against the U "5 National Championships" GO CANES Get a life! Who is the dummy that suggests Larry Coker or Miami should be held accountable for Kellen Winslow's actions after he leaves Miami?
Hey moron, does that mean USC is saddled with OJ Simpson for eternity?? Problems exist throughout college football, but people pile on Miami because of their success. If a fight broke out between Vanderbilt and Indiana would the story last for five days? I highly doubt it! You might not believe this -- you might not want to believe this -- but over the past decade, Miami has had fewer player arrests or NCAA-related incidents than almost any other major program in the country. Miami has not had 20-plus incidents involving shoplifting, assault, gun charges and failed drug tests over the past two years, as Tennessee has. Miami has not had to dismiss a star player for earning money through a phony job, as Oklahoma has. Miami has not had a star linebacker accused of sexual assault on the eve of its bowl game as Florida State did last year. And Miami's most recent Academic Progress Rate (956) placed it in the top 20 to 30 percent of all Division I football programs.
Would you do the same for Dartmouth and Holy Cross too.
I knew Miami was a hated but these responses are ridiculous. Cancel the season, fire the coaches, take away scholarships, demand the players first born child....Come on! If you holier than thow idiots would spend as much energy on making your life better as you do in hating Miami this world would be a much better place. And that goes for all you SEC,Big 10/12/east, and PAC 10 supporters who seem to have teams that do no wrong. Get off your high horses and worry about things that are really important instead of foaming at the mouth regarding any Miami mishap.
Everything done after 10pm Saturday night is just face saving. Shalala should have left the president's box and order the players on the bus! Forfeit the game and make it absolutely clear such behavior would never be condoned or justified ("They started it.") Then you review everything including class attendance, grades and other on campus behavior. Put the student back in student-athlete! But that didn't happen. So everyone now pretends they are doing the right thing when they didn't do the right thing.
The word "THUG" is borderline racist and is apparently the new "N" word for all of white America to toss out there.
Miami should have been more decisive but was not.
We will look forward and continue to watch (and with many scorn given the slightest gesture)Miami. coming from a magazine that puts ND as "return to Glory" on the front page for winning 7 consecutive games, I doubt I would read anything positive for Miami. The U of M President should step down. She obviously does not understand the message, her message sent.
Larry Coker should be fired. Any player on either team who left the sidelines should be suspended for the remainder of the season. Any player who made physical contact with an opposing team member should be kicked of the team. Any player who committed an act of violence against an opposing team member should be kicked out of school and face criminal charges. Both teams should forfeit all remaining season games. Both teams should have some class and publicily announce, as Clemson and South Carolina had done, they will not accept an invitation to any bowl game this season. The next instance such as this should affect an immediate forfeiture of all season games, elimination as members of their conferences and a two year ban of the program from participation in competition. Any additional instance should result in the permanent termination from any future competition. FIU stepped up and did the right thing
Miami did not. Is anyone really suprised. Everyone at the school up to and including the president not only tolerates but by refusing to punish encourages the behavior. I bet if the Canes were playing some one other than Duke they would not have even handed out 1 game suspensions but a couple hours of counciling. Would not want to "throw any of the players under the bus" unless they are from the other school Throwing a punch, pulling on facemask, or other action with intent to cause harm - ejection and one game suspension.
Coming off the bench and participating in a fight (even just pushing and shoving) - one game suspension. Punching, kicking, or stomping a player who is on the ground - additional two game suspension. Using a helmet or other foreign object as a weapon - additional three game suspension. If the player's actions cause an injury that requires off-site medical treatment - suspended for one calendar year. If the injury requires hospitalization or prevents the injured player from participating in future games - disqualified from all NCAA sports and ineligible for scholarship. - JWR Maybe you didn't notice, but Mandel backed off his original comments. Personally, I thought he was correct the first time and caved under pressure by the "U" on the second. Perhaps the famous UM "soldier", Kellen Winslow II got to him. Too bad! I thought he was a writer that had been right on in the past.
can you say death penalty. it's time to take control and maybe a few years with out football will help miami. FIU needs to loose at least the rest of the year or more.
The NCAA should step in and suspend all players invovled and count this game as a loss towards both teams.
I think a certain amount of fighting is acceptable. Everyone automatically condemns violence, but let's face it, it happens, so learn to accept it.
All the players involved should be forced to pose for a picture as a naked human pyramid, which would be put on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Larry Coker should be fired and replaced by O.J. Simpson.
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