This title is a little misleading (mostly because they have yet to play a game). Nonetheless, UTSA finally is starting up its own Division I football program. I can think of only two other universities in San Antonio that have football teams: the University of the Incarnate Word and Trinity University, but these teams are part of Division III football programs.
So how would you react if I told you that a National Championship winning coach was coming to UTSA to start up a Division I program?
It's true; Larry Coker, former University of Miami head coach, is coming to San Antonio. Coker was introduced on March 9th 2009 as the new Roadrunner's Head Football Coach. Coker brings 28 years of coaching experience to San Antonio, and he is a two-time National Coach of the Year recipient. Throughout his career, Coker has coached at five different schools: Tulsa, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Ohio State, and of course, Miami.
While at Miami, Coker compiled a 60-15 record, winning three Big East Conference Championships and going undefeated in 2001 to win the BCS National Championship. The 2001 Miami Hurricane team is arguably the best college football team ever assembled on a field. The team included players like Ed Reed, Andre Johnson, Frank Gore, Clinton Portis, Jeremy Shockey, D.J. Williams, Sean Taylor, Kellen Winslow, and Willis McGahee.
At UTSA, Coker's job may be a little easier due to an abundance of financial support. The university is planning to spend an estimated $84 million dollars on an athletic complex, but until completed, the Roadrunners will have to play in the Alamodome. Things are looking good for UTSA; a national champion coach is pretty hard to come by. Along with an $84 million dollar athletic complex, UTSA's football program should provide an easy recruit of high school football players in the area. Currently, Coker has received four player commitments from across the state.
In 2011, UTSA will no longer be known for not having a Division I football program. See you in the stands!
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