• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Coker to coach Miami for final time in MPC Computers Bowl

Dec 31, 2006 - 4:02 PM Miami Fl (6-6) at Nevada (8-4) December 31 MPC Computers Bowl 7:30 pm EST

BOISE, Idaho (Ticker) -- Outgoing Miami coach Larry Coker will guide the Hurricanes one last time Sunday when they face Nevada in the MPC Computers Bowl.

Coker, who guided the Hurricanes to the national championship following the 2001 season, his first as their coach, was fired on November 24, one day after Miami beat Boston College to finish the regular season at 6-6.

On December 8, the Hurricanes named Randy Shannon their new coach, but he will serve as Coker's defensive coordinator - his post for the past six seasons - for the bowl.

Hurricanes offensive line coach Mario Cristobal was named Florida International's new coach on December 19 but may assist Coker for the bowl. The Hurricanes and Golden Panthers engaged in an ugly brawl on October 14.

While Miami went 3-5 to finish fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division, Nevada (8-4) went 5-3 to come in third in the Western Athletic Conference.

The Wolf Pack had won five straight games before being thumped at home, 38-7, on November 25 by unbeaten Boise State to end the regular season.

The teams will be meeting for the first time.

"This is exciting news," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "This is a great opportunity to meet a school with a lot of football tradition. We are looking forward to the game."