I have figured out why I have been so hard on Coach L in the past year.
It is called "The Mark Richt effect. "
I thought Mark Richt came to Miami to finish his career strong and restore the football program when really, all he wanted to do is retire in South Florida with one last check. Mark Richt was burned out and struck in his own unsuccessful ways which lead to his retirement when Blake James asked him to find an offensive coordinator.
As much as I like Coach L, I cannot help but think he is burnt out and riding out his contract to the end. In 3 more years, Coach L will have another 50 wins which will give him 700 career wins. Miami may make the NCAA tournament atleast one more time next season as he will have 5 seniors on the roster. My warning to fans is that Chris Lykes is not Shane Larkin. Nysier Brooks, Rodney Miller and Sam Wardeenburg are not Julian Gamble, Reggie Johnson and Kenny Khadji.
It still fascinates me that Coach L cannot get 13 scholarship basketball players at Miami. Leonard Hamilton, Perry Clark and Frank Haith could. Leonard is doing it in Tallahassee but Coach L cannot do it in Coral Gables. Really.
I know, some fans blame the FBI investigation but this is year 7 of the roster management issue. A younger coach named Chris Mack figured out how to do it at Louisville two years in a row when Louisville fired its AD and basketball coach.
I am sure Coach L would tell you how much he loves to coach but his performance is making another statement.
Let's all learn a lesson from Mark Richt and Jim Larranaga, Miami should stay far away from retreads when picking the next coach. Miami athletics needs a young, proven, energetic coach to lead the football and basketball program.
I hope I am wrong but I have a feeling that I am right. If you don't learn from history, you are bound to repeat it.