UM Coach Answers the call…and the challenge   by Bernie Diaz

Most dictionaries define integrity as illustrating steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. Another definition indicates that integrity denotes the quality or condition of being complete, whole or undivided.

In the field of sports today, when describing the world of coaches and players with massive egos and matching incomes, it is a word infrequently cited. At the University of Miami, integrity is a word rarely associated with the University’s often controversial football program for nearly a decade in the late 80’s and 90’s under the winning and troubled era of Jimmy Johnson and Dennis Erickson.

It should then come as no surprise that the recent resurgence of the national championship-contending Hurricanes, on and off the field, was fueled largely by two men. These men, by virtue of their faith in Christ, embody the meaning of integrity. Their  “completeness” comes from God’s only begotten Son. What Butch Davis began, before departing for his current NFL job with the Cleveland Browns, second-year Head Coach Larry Coker is finishing at the helm of the 2001 undefeated Hurricanes.

Reflecting on integrity, much less its spiritual source, comes difficult to this brilliant yet humble man of X’s and O’s who has achieved success at virtually every level and at every stop of his 31-year coaching career. “I’m very private with my personal life,” Coker, 53, told me over the phone recently.  When pressed to describe his spiritual influence on his young and impressionable team, he remarked, ‘They know I have a faith, but I respect different religions. If they want to gather and worship, they do that as a group (with the team chaplain) on game week.” Less one thinks that Christ is not evidenced in Coker’s walk, he’s quick to add, “We have a number of Christians on the team. For me though, I lead by example. It’s not just a part-time faith; it’s the way you treat people, and it (faith in Christ) encompasses everything -morality and integrity.

Coker’s humility is among his most prominent features, and is evidence of the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23) that dwells within him. The Okemah, Oklahoma, native has persevered and thrived in his calling, helping to mold Heisman trophy winners (Barry Sanders under JJ at Oklahoma State) and building record breaking offensive systems. He was able to achieve some of this as a long-time assistant coach and coordinator before settling in at UM for his most successful stint, beginning as quarterbacks coach and offensive mastermind in 1995.

Many critics scoffed at UM Athletic Director Paul Dee’s choice of the mild-mannered Coker to succeed the popular Davis as the Canes 19^th head coach in February of 2000. Indeed, Coker became the first UM assistant elevated to Head Coach in 25 years. When Dee announced the players’ choice to roam the UM sideline, he invoked that   word again because it seems to follow Coker everywhere, “…he’s a person who possesses exceptional ability in leadership, a commitment to academic excellence, and has tremendous integrity”.

Coker, a member of University Baptist Church in nearby Coral Gables, came to Christ as expected, by the leadership values and integrity of his mother.  As a teen he came to know that, of course, “salvation to me is about character, about living, a way of living. My mom was a big example of that and taught me that it was something more than athletics and girls. She is obviously a big influence on me.”

Although the long work days and hours keep Coker away from as much Bible study as he would like, his desk edition of the Bible is never far away. He cites the very familiar and reassuring Philippians 4:13 (I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me) and Hebrews 13:5 for security and comfort. The passage from Hebrews is as fitting and personal a reflection of Coker and his demeanor as one could find, “[Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”. 

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