Miami Hurricanes Blog

Miami and West Virginia haven't played each other in more than a decade, but there's no doubt some players from both teams don't quite seem to care for each other.

During a joint charity event on Monday ahead of their Russell Athletic Bowl showdown, a handful of players from both schools exchanged words and staffers and teammates had to intervene to keep the situation from escalating.

Hurricanes receiver Stacy Coley will get one more chance to show off his skills while representing Miami.

Coley, a former Northeast High standout, became the latest Miami player to accept an invitation to play in a postseason showcase game, joining the roster for the East-West Shrine Game, set to be played Jan. 21 at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.

As the Hurricanes took the field in Orlando for their first on-site practice ahead of Wednesday’s Russell Athletic Bowl showdown with West Virginia, Miami announced that seven players did not make the trip north after “failing to meet the standards of expectations set by the program.”

For two weeks, they’ve practiced on their field. They’ve trained in their weight room. Team meetings have been in familiar surroundings and after exams were wrapped up, the focus has been entirely on preparing for their appearance in next week’s Russell Athletic Bowl.

Almost as soon as he got the job, people tried to talk him out of it – or at least tell Thomas Brown little good would likely come of the work he’d do with Mark Richt at Miami.

More than once, the Hurricanes offensive coordinator was told about the problems he’d encounter at Miami because, well, you know what the players at Miami are like, right?

As the Hurricanes continue preparing for their Dec. 28th Russell Athletic Bowl showdown against Notre Dame, several players – including quarterback Brad Kaaya and tight end David Njoku – are weighing whether to return to Miami for their senior years or declare for the NFL Draft.

About a year ago, Hurricanes receiver Stacy Coley and cornerback Corn Elder went through the same process.