Coley coy on potential role under new coach
CORAL GABLES — James Coley learned under Nick Saban, so he has a few Saban- esque tricks in his bag.
“Don’t make me bring out a Coke bottle. Don’t make me do it,” Coley said to a small group of reporters Tuesday. That was in reference to Saban’s agitated news conference two weeks ago, when the Alabama coach held up a bottle of Coca-Cola he was drinking and said reporters had a better chance getting answers out of the bottle than him when it came to questions about a departing assistant coach.
Though he preferred to keep his focus on the Hurricanes’ upcoming Sun Bowl date with
McElwain eager to reap benefifits of UF’s bowl,
Washington State, Coley still discussed his future as best he could.
Incoming coach Mark Richt — who addressed the team after Tuesday morning’s practice — has yet to announce which assistants, if any, he will keep on staff. Richt also has made it clear that he wants to call plays and tutor quarterbacks, two primary responsibilities Coley holds as offensive coordinator.
Coley, who grew up in the shadow of the Orange Bowl, played at Miami High and coached at two Miami high schools before landing on a college staff for the first time (LSU, 2003). He followed Saban from LSU to the Miami Dolphins (2005-06). After five years at Florida State, he joined the Hurricanes’ staff in 2013.
But it wasn’t just hometown love that led him back to South Florida. FSU coach Jimbo Fisher is the Seminoles’ play-caller, and would not afford Coley that opportunity. Former UM coach Al Golden did.
Asked if Richt’s declaration that he wants to call plays is “an issue” for him, Coley said he has a great deal of respect for Richt.
“That’s not an issue for me,” he said. “I think throughout his career he’s done a great job calling plays. He’s obviously one of the best in the business at doing so. He’s a heck of a coach. He’s the head coach and when someone has that resume, he should be able to do whatever he wants to.”
Asked if he would be willing to be on a staff where he wouldn’t call plays, Coley said he “would love to work for Mark Richt.
“He’s a great person and a great coach and a great teacher,” Coley said. “But I don’t want this to be some type of, you know, forum where I’m applying for a job right here. Just stick to football ... but, I respect the man immensely. He’s walked in the building and it’s been first class. You can tell why he’s a leader and a champion.”
Interim coach Larry Scott, who has been tight ends coach and run game coordinator for UM and previously coached tight ends, running backs, offensive linemen and special teams at South Florida, said he would welcome the chance to stay on under Richt.
Like Coley, Scott hasn’t had a meeting with Richt.
“Whenever that time comes and (I) have a chance to sit down, you go in with an open mind and just kind of see how things unfold,” he said.
He also remained in high spirits.
“I’ll coach defense, too,” he said, nodding toward the practice field with a playfully cocky tone. “Let’s go.”
Noteworthy: Safety Jamal Carter (hamstring) and offensive lineman Danny Isidora (undisclosed) have been limited, but Scott said he expected both to play in the Sun Bowl. He seemed less certain about offensive tackle Sunny Odogwu (knee). “We’ll kind of ease through this thing and see what happens and see how he feels,” Scott said.