Weston Rotary - Newsletter & PR - Archive (Aug 15, 2003)

UM football Coach Coker gives Rotary a pep talk
BY JULIE LEVIN
Special to The Herald
They came within one overtime period of clinching their second straight national championship in January. Now, with the new season just around the corner, University of Miami head football coach Larry Coker is again sending out Hurricane warnings to the rest of the college football world. ''We're excited about our prospects this year,'' Coker said. ``I really like this team.'' The coach was in Weston on July 24 to speak to the Rotary Club of Weston. More than 100 people listened and laughed at the Weston Hills County Club as Coker talked about what it takes to keep a nationally ranked team on track. ''When I coached with [former Hurricanes coach] Jimmy Johnson and bad things happened and we lost a few games, he would just say, ``Press on, press on,'' said Coker, who took the helm in February 2001. ``That's where we are at the university right now.'' It was the second time Coker had spoken before Weston's Rotary Club. Rotary President Joseph Altschul said he was a big draw because there are so many Hurricanes fans in Weston. And Rotary members realize the qualities needed to be a good coach are also needed in business, he said. ''Coach Coker subscribes to principles that people in any organization, including Rotary, should strive to follow, including unselfishness, accountability, preparation and, of course, teamwork,'' Altschul said. Coker's career in football spans 32 years, including 22 as an assistant at the collegiate level. He has coached in at least 13 bowl games and has helped send dozens of players to the National Football League. The coach said he takes great pride in turning out players who are good people as well. ''That's our goal at the University of Miami,'' Coker said. ``We strive to not only compete at a high level, but to graduate all our players.'' Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders who provide humanitarian service, encourage high ethical standards in all vocations, and help build goodwill and peace in the world. The Weston chapter was founded in 1986.