Living In The Past

This article was written for Canespace by SolarCane...

I was cruising along listening to Sting on one of those brand new CDs.  

Sally Ride had just brought women to heights never dreamed of 25 years ago.

The Return of The Jedi was playing in every theater in America at the same time.

It was 1980 something and life was good.

It was 1983 when the Miami Hurricanes shocked the world and were National Champions for the very first time. The Canes, led by a pipe smoking Head Coach named Howard Schnellenberger and without a single All-American on the roster, beat what was considered to be one of the best teams of all time. 

I thought to myself for a Hurricanes fan it can't get any better than this!  But it would. 

Living in the past is best left for old men on front porches I guess.
 
Wall Street crashes, Good Morning Vietnam is a hit, Jimmy Baker isn't, President Reagan and Bono are super heroes.  The Miami Hurricanes are becoming the most feared team in the country, and the most loved by television networks.

It was 1987 and the Canes would go 12 and 0 and win their second National Championship in five years after UM Athletic Director Sam Jankovich was ridiculed by Hurricane fans for brining in some unknown coach from Oklahoma State. 

I thought to myself, for a Canes fan it can't get any better than this!  But It did.

Living in the past seemed like a waste of time now; I couldn't wait for next season!
 
The Exxon Valdez spilled it's cargo, Hurricane Hugo slammed into South Carolina, and the San Francisco Earthquake were all terrible news.

Yet to Miami Hurricane fans it was the departure of UM Head Coach Jimmy Johnson that brought the most anxiety. The uncertainty of bringing in yet another head coach has the fans more than a little worried.

The Berlin Wall came down, giving us all something to cheer about.  But it was the Hurricanes' defense that received the standing ovations from Miami fans. Giving up just 9.3 points a game the defense allowed the new offense plenty of room to grow.  At the time, it seemed almost too good to be true.

It was 1989 and the 'Canes were National Champs for the third time under their third Head Coach of the decade in Dennis Erickson.  I thought to myself for a Cane's fan it can't get any better ever!  But it did.
 
Two more National Championships would be won in 1991 and 2001, bringing the current total to five.  Larry Coker, the player's choice for Head Coach, would be come the fourth UM Head Coach to win a National Championship, the Hurricanes first of the new century.  A second consecutive BCS Title in 2002 narrowly escaped the Hurricanes' grasp.

It was a new and different era in the early years of the new millenium, but it felt a lot like 1980 something.  Much like the time when playing for a National Championship every year was a given, and winning one every fews years seemed to be inevitable if not absolutely certain.

Coaches have come and gone. Miami Hurricane players have gone on to the NFLU, some into the Hall of Fame.  But looking at old pictures in dusty scrapbooks is only great if you like living in the past.

So now I dare you to join me for a peek into the future where several things are for certain. Every record we thought was unbreakable will be broken. Every player we considered the greatest, will be surpassed.  Another National Championship will be won. 

These are the reason why the games are still played each season.

Stop living in the past.

There are still college kids at the University of Miami with their whole lives in front of them.

They too are quality kids and talented players just begging for our attention.

Let’s enjoy watching them make some history of their own.

Comments

[woobirdsatsunlife]

I have faith in Haith.

[solarcane]

yup

[solarcane]

woobird cuts the light, sweet!

[Old Skool]

Slow slow slow slow dang

[solarcane]

skool maybe an energy drink, and a protein bar
or as you and I would do it
an RC Cola and a Moon Pie

[solarcane]

soup, nice touches with the editing thanks!

got to cut a few signs be back in an hour

[JSQ]

Cav I have no idea if that story I posted te link to is true. Seine posted it on my Facebook page and I thought it would be of interest to the space and I reposted it. That's it.

[Old Skool]

Solar quit offering sensible perspectives, people get more passionate over useless trivia.

You offer us a tall drink of cool water when we're all used to mainlining Kool-aid.

[JSQ]

Someone. iPhone strikes again. Sorry for typos.

[canesteeler]

Moon Pie, damn I use to love those!

[JSQ]

Nice article Solar.

Okay back to the foster kids and firefighters be back later.

[PhillyCane]

Ne one got a link to watch the bball game on?

[86Cane]

soup, nice touches with the editing thanks!

Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2010 at 08:12 PM

It ain't no thang, it's what I do.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

I have absolutely NO faith in Haith. Zilch.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

an RC Cola and a Moon Pie

Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2010 at 08:11 PM

>>>

haha, good ole moon pies. haha

[Old Skool]

Moon pies absolutely. I actually brought some to a Thanksgiving dinner as a part of a Southern gift basket along with Chow-chow, hot boiled peanuts and chewing tobacco.

It was not one of my better ideas.

Did you used to put peanuts in your RC too?

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Old Skool, that's some funny shat right there bro'. lol

[PhillyCane]

a yes or no would be nice.. bball game link?

[FightingIbis]

So I've been gone for a few days and was wondering if I missed anything of importance? Way to many posts to read through.

RB coach hired?
Anybody transfering?

Would love a summary...

[SlingBlade]

60-55 with 3 min left
all canes

[SlingBlade]

im on espn philly...just watching the gamecast...

[PhillyCane]

thnx same

[miamimike01]

Philly, the game is almost over.

RB coach hired?
Anybody transfering?

Would love a summary...

Posted by: FightingIbis | February 10, 2010 at 08:48 PM

Mike Cassano, from FIU, was hired. Coached with Whipple at UMass.

Arthur Brown left the team.

[SlingBlade]

canes win....canes win.....canes win.....canes beat 20th ranked Georgia Tech and improve to 11-1 at home...

[splarfy]

Canes Win! Finally!

[PhillyCane]

wow i wish i saw the end of that game

[86Cane]

canes win....canes win.....canes win.....canes beat 20th ranked Georgia Tech and improve to 11-1 at home...

Posted by: SlingBlade | February 10, 2010 at 09:01 PM

U called it! U got this!!!

[miamimike01]

If we could only have those two Boston College games back...

[KLCaneFan]

Sooo happy the Canes pulled out a win, but faith in Haith... :/

[solarcane]

Skool,
yea I used to open the end of the little tube bag and let the peanuts slide down into the RC or Coca- Cola.

I never had a clue why we did it but I knew it was tradition and not to be questioned.

Remember when Topp Cola came out with the first 16oz bottle and people said no one could ever drink the entire thing?

What are fountain drinks at gas stations now, around 80 oz lol!

[Daytoncane]

maybe the Canes don't need televised games. they seem to win more when they're not on tv.

[solarcane]

Capt0
I would never picture you letting anything as damaging as Moon Pie enter your body,.
I guess we were all addicted to crap at one time or another.

[404Canes404]

imma go out on a limb here and predict a canes win tonight against GT.....

Posted by: SlingBlade | February 10, 2010 at 07:06 PM

Great Call Sling! Go Canes! Maybe the NIT dream is still alive!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: 404Canes404 | February 10, 2010 at 09:20 PM

[solarcane]

Vince steeler,
When we go to Sam's Club, I look at the industrial size box of Moon Pies and wish I could eat the entire crate of them right there.
If I had a fork lift with me I might even buy a box and take em home. lol

[JSQ]

What are the 80s without pictures of me sucking my thumb holding my cabbage patch doll? Thanks for writing an article that made me feel young, Solar!

Packing for Lombardi Gras. I presume bringing your own beads is a faux pau but I'm doing it anyway.

I'll be there soon, Jeremy!!!

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Solar, nice piece.

BG, Berry needs more muscle to really turn the corner. He has the vision and explosion but he'll be much better with another 10 pounds of rock.

[Captain Optimist aka Cavaleer]

Capt0
I would never picture you letting anything as damaging as Moon Pie enter your body,.
I guess we were all addicted to crap at one time or another.

Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2010 at 09:20 PM

>>>>

In my ignorant youth, definitely. lol

I even drank soda pop. haha

[miamimike01]

solar,

great article. Oh, the good ole' days...

[SOUP]

Check it:

http://www.theunews.com/

[mr troutman]

On Arthur Brown Situation...

Yeah he finally caved in after he realize more studs are on the way and he might not see the field. I heard other things went down but it is kept within the U family. He was a prime example on how a 5 star can be the star in another state but can be mediocre in another.

Shannon wanted more physical linebackers so will see if we got what he wanted. i like the guy from gainesville i think Nelson (sorry I don't know everyones name yet but come Sept they'll be household names.

i just want us to have a Big TEN type size lineman and linebackers but Florida type Wrs and Rb and Dbs and we ARE NOW COMPLETE AND READY TO BEAT THE SNOT OUT OF TEAMS AND I MEAN LITERALLY LEAVING THEM SNOTTY.

peace!!!

[SOUP]

TROUT! Tell 'em how it's gonna be.

MM01 is your man on Kevin Nelson. He will tell U all about him.

[FightingIbis]

Arthur Brown is a great example of why I put absolutely zero stock in recruiting sites. Wish him all the best but doubt he'll pan out. That darn light just wouldn't come on for him. I guess once he got on the field with football players he realized he'd been playing something different all together there in Kansas.

[JCane]

Nice win by Haith's boys tonight, although we sure did make the second half exciting, almost blowing the 14 point halftime lead completely. Luckily Dews came through at the end when we needed that bucket to break the tie. The story of the second half was GT dominance, as we were outrebounded, missed FTs, didn't convert well after turnovers and shot poorly (including 1/9 from 3 point-land). Luckily the D was solid and GT wasn't on fire in the second half, or the 14 point lead would have been demolished. Not meaning to take anything away from a nice win over a ranked team, as given the ACC season thus far a win is a win, and they didn't completely cave at the end as they've been prone to do (ie B.C.).

As for the football ticket policies, I agree about the great teams over the last few decades and all, but we're not exactly Penn State, OSU or Mich when it comes to attendance. Folks who have gone to the games through thick and thin, including during the 60s and 70s, shouldn't be discarded suddenly because of a good record and not donating enough. Many football factories fill up the stadium regardless, but the U isn't like that, and this needs to be considered when it comes to marketing. This never has and won't change my love for the U, and I'll still likely end up going to the OSU game, but I don't have to like or agree with the policies.

[JCane]

Solar and Dayton:

Nice last two articles, guys.

[The Truth]

Yeah solar - nice job...

[solarcane]

FightingI,

I hear ya.
When you recruit the best player in the nation from a state that is basically a big dirt field with a Waffle House on one end and a Greyhound Bus Station on the other; well you get what you pay for.

[JCane]

I see, per Rivals, that A. Chickillo is planning to graduate early. Obviously legacies don't always end up where you'd think (ie like nameless 'turds), but I'd be hard-pressed to believe a third generation would break ranks.

[solarcane]

aight boys an girls I'm down

Great night indeed, soup didn't even tase anyone.

of course its early and
Truth and Canez1 are back from Time Out and in the same room.. add pb and Six in a few and who knows what evil lurks in the hearts on men

im out

[Daytoncane]

nice article solar.

but you know our fans will always live in the past.

[pb(CSROH10)]

Just got in from the Canes game last night.

They have lots of good young talent but they are in serious need of some coaching on the offensive end.

They had at least 7 second half posessions where they didnt even start their offensive set til there was less than 10 seconds left on the clock.

Even though they won, their offense is shockingly basic and fails to put the ball in the hands of their scorers in a position to make a play.

[SOUP]

Canez1 and Truth...please be careful with your comments. Your previous posts have been deleted. We are back to running a clean ship here, so please respect that.

Thank U!

The Management

[SOUP]

Sports ONLY Trout. Keep it clean...

[The Truth]

My rationale was mardi GRAS will have a decidely super bowl flavor...Mary is a cane fan...

Super bowl - Canes - yep!! Sports!!

That's good clean fun if you ask me!!

[mr troutman]

SOUP I TRY TO BUT FELLOW CANES ALWAYS BRING UP OTHER THINGS AND U KNOW ME..I HAVE TO PUT MY 2 CENTS IN...LOL

[SOUP]

Trout...do NOT be lead astray by others.

U are a good man, be one here.

[SOUP]

"Let the world be a bit better or more beautiful for you having lived in it."

Edward W. Bok

[The Truth]

What? I'm not a good man??!

And who says it's not a sport trying to be accurate with your bead tossing in new Orleans??

You know...this is all pretty subjective stuff.

[pb(CSROH10)]

That Vonn girl from the Olympics is super hot.

That's sports right?

[SOUP]

What? I'm not a good man??!

Posted by: The Truth | February 10, 2010 at 11:12 PM

From what the JSQ tells me, not even close.

[The Truth]

Yes!!

The swimsuit calendar just came out in the SPORTS illustrated...

That's sports.

[The Truth]

JSQ would NEVER say such things. I think you're a little jealous...

[SOUP]

I think you're a little jealous...

Posted by: The Truth | February 10, 2010 at 11:26 PM

Maybe ;-)

[The Truth]

"Let the world be a bit better or more beautiful for you having lived in it."
Edward W. Bok

What sport did he play?

[JSQ]

First with the hair holding back comment, now picking on poor, sweet innocent Truth!

There is only one way to handle a bully:

Soup, meet me by the swingsets at 3pm.

Don't worry, Truth, I'll defend your honor!

[Six]

Good write up solar, like a VH-1 turn back the clock special

Lemme tell you guys something, esp. those who like the Black Eyed Peas .... they are awful in my opinion. All kinds of awful. Beyond awful. I didn't think they could get any worse - until you hear them LIVE

They were in town tonight at the St. Pete Times Forum. We have a direct feed from the Forum to our station and they used them in our news tonight. They were there with Luda. Couple of the producers had the feed on at their televisions at their desks - wow. You can really tell just how good a band is when they're not on a CD or IPod or radio, hiding all their craptastic-ness with all the synthesized stuff and general "air brushing" of their voices and songs

I would've been livid if I was someone that paid money for that show. It sounded like a bunch of complete tone def drunk idiots in a bathroom, yelling and trying to sing

And no, Fergie is not hot. She reminds me of that squishy faced chick from Greys Anatomy that always squints worse than my Hawai'ian Asian self when she smiles - and that's pretty hard

[Six]

And props to the Canes for being the only team from the state of Florida that won today in college hoops - beating a top 25 team no less

UiF Crocs lost to South Cackalacka
FSU lost to Clemson
UCF lost to Memphis

[The Truth]

Thats my Left Tackle right there!!!

And she hot!! I love it!!

[pre83]

How to keep track of the number of schollies available...good article.

Coaches work around signing day limits

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=maisel_ivan&id=4899549

Go Canes!

[pre83]

Six - I agree about the Pees...1000%!

Truth - What's the latest w/ the FB program in CG?

Go Canes!

[Daytoncane]

lol Six i just heard a Black Eyed Peas song on tv and realize how much i hate them too.

hip hop is dead.

[francis w]

SIX......OFF TOPIC....I don't feel as strongly as U do abouut the "Black eyed Peas" I'v just never been much into music. Wednesday at about 4:45 my wife was watching "OPRA" she had Seline Dione on (wife's fav.. only concert she has ever been to). Opra planned to surprise her last guest (the Canadian Tennors) by having Seline sing with them. I thought they were terriffic when each did solo and even better as a group. Just a heads-up from an old fogie.
Fran

[SOUP]

Soup, meet me by the swingsets at 3pm.

Don't worry, Truth, I'll defend your honor!

Posted by: JSQ | February 10, 2010 at 11:31 PM

LOL Very funny! Out to Sarsota today. See U all this afternoon.

[canechic]

I have missed all the out of control bloggers!

You guys know how I feel about the Miami Basketball program. I heard a comment last night about UNC ....no matter the coach UNC is dealing with a bust of a recruiting class. Miami's problems are bigger than that but how true of a statement is that, Roy Williams is great but with bad, lazy players can't do much!

Good win last night for the Canes and the cuse!

[DATcane]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4901998

U

[DATcane]

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/sports/umweblog/~3/6RO8IyfIe2g/is-miami-the-worst-acc-hoops-town.html

ss

[DATcane]

http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&ct2=us%2F0_0_s_0_0_t&usg=AFQjCNG6UUxqVBlshg2SqDgP8XwIRpg6Tg&cid=8797499001921&ei=k_pzS4jQHKm68wS53YSpAw&rt=SEARCH&vm=STANDARD&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.miamiherald.com%2Fsports%2Fcolleges%2Fstory%2F1474034.html

tics

[Hurricanedave]

Posted by: pb(CSROH10) | February 10, 2010 at 10:55 PM

agree 100%

many times it looks like a pick-up game at the local Y ...tough to get young players who have been the go to guy on their high school team to play a role at the college level..that is where the coaching comes in.
Unfortunately, there is only one ball, what you do without the ball is as important as what you do with the ball...pick, screen,box-out & rebound

[Older School]

soup, nice touches with the editing thanks!

Posted by: solarcane | February 10, 2010 at 08:12 PM

It ain't no thang, it's what I do.

Posted by: 86Cane | February 10, 2010 at 08:18 PM

Missed one. "So now I dare to join me for a peak(peek) into the future where several things are for certain." No big deal.

Also, you forgot the Jim Kelly era. Beating Penn State, the #1 team in the nation, and going to the Peach Bowl, some siad it couldn't get better than that. But it did!

It was a great read and shows that Canes fans CAN do more than just live in the past.

We can even beat ranked basketball teams if we put our minds to it! 8-)

[solarcane]

Six thanks!

thanks skool,

I was going to go all the way back to sitting in an entire row of the Orange Bowl all by myself watching Ottis tear it up.

The entire point of the article was looking at Universal Studios in your review mirror can make you miss Disney World coming up on your right.

[solarcane]

Six,
yea a lot of big name talent really sucks when they try and do an acoustical number.

There are few people that sound better live singing something than they do on their records
Whitney Houston singing the National Anthem would be an example of good over terrible.

[solarcane]

rear view^

[JSQ]

The entire point of the article was looking at Universal Studios in your review mirror can make you miss Disney World coming up on your right.

Posted by: solarcane | February 11, 2010 at 09:16 AM

Amen.

I actually think I am most guilty of living in the future when it comes to the 'Canes!

[JSQ]

I am not a huge Black Eyed Peas fan but I appreciated how they prophetized about the fate of the 'Canes on Labor Day during the FSWho tailgate. They told me that night was going to be a good night, and it was. ;-)

I admit they slipped in their abilities to tell the future in late December.

That's right . . . the Champs Bowl loss is now the fault of the Black Eyed Peas.

Yeah, you heard me.

It wasn't raining so that must have been it.

;-)

[CanesCanesCanes]

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/columns/story?columnist=schlabach_mark&id=4901998

U

Posted by: DATcane |

Schlabach little write up of UM is increadibly lazy and sloppy. Ranking us below UNC and FSU, ok, it's a preseason pick, so who cares.

But to talk about the running back situation, specifically about COOP, who I think would have gone pro were it not for the injury, and then not even mention Damien Berry. Lazy. Shows he really doesn't know much about the team.

[CanesCanesCanes]

Schlabach's little write up of UM is incredibly lazy

[LyquidEnigma]

Great article Solar.

[UMike]

CCC...I ws thinking the same thing..I mean..#23..with all the offence we having coming back for the second year under Whipple..a healthy j12 (which to me is the difference between 11-1 and 9-3 last year)..and a healthy d...we have to be top 10..imo

[usagainsttheworld -- formerly known as 1caneinatl]

solar, great post. you took me back down memory lane. i was being recruited by the u in 1985. i attended the notre dame game when they beat the brakes off of them in the orange bown. 58-7 was the final score i think. i was attending miami-killian senior high (played with randall hill) and hubbard alexander was recruting me. i was on the sideline before the game and i remember watching the wr's warm up saying to myself-- there is no way i'd even touch the field here. there was a line of about 9-10 receivers and they were all good!!! much like our guys today. at any rate-- while they were warming up tracey waiters (i think it was him) came jogging by. i stopped him and asked him-- "what is your major?" dude took his mouthpiece out of his mouth, unbuckled his chinstrap, took off his helmet and with a smirk on his face he said "major?!" (laugh) man we major in the NFL!.

got hurt my senior year and i eventually signed with the citadel!

miami was wrecking shop back then. as i watched 30/30 (for the umpteenth time) it is clear to me that the 80's in particular were a different time. the game was different, recruiting was different, and the kinds of players that we could get into the u were different. the u was just flat roguish back in those days. we're more choirboys now. ahhh, those were the days.

[pre83]

Schlabach's little write up of UM is incredibly lazy

Posted by: CanesCanesCanes | February 11, 2010 at 10:10 AM

C x 3 - I was just about post the EXACT same thing! I was reading the posts first and you said all there needs to be said.

He had to have some intern do it who probably doesn't even know who just played in the Super Bowl.

Go Canes!

[404Canes404]

Posted by: UMike | February 11, 2010 at 10:35 AM

I first had the same thought, but then realized that we are in no place to argue rankings... Had we won that bowl game it would be a different story, but we lost.... To Wisconsin...

We have another perfect situation to start the season next year. Take care of business and rankings will take care of themselves.

If you look at our schedule we have 8 games where we can possibly play against a ranked team when we play them:

OSU (will be ranked)
Pitt (will be ranked)
Clemson (could be ranked by October)
FSU (most likely will be ranked in October)
UNC (could be ranked end of Oct)
GT (most llikely be ranked in mid Nov)
VaTech (most likely will be ranked in mid Nov)
USF (could possible be ranked by 11/27)

[CanesCanesCanes]

Solar

I have to agree with all the kudos. Great article. Makes me nostalgic.

While we definitley can't live in the past, I do believe that embracing the way we were then, makes us who we are now. It's a different time, can't get away with the same stuff, but it's all part of who we are.

I think our next NC ties it all together and launches us into a new era. We're almost there - so close I can taste it.

[pre83]

I should have noted that the give away was that he cites an important factor of Pipho having to be replaced.

Seriously, did he simply look at the depth chart from a web site and write something. He must not get along with Heather...she even knows more!

Go Canes!

[CanesCanesCanes]

Umike & Pre

Thanks. The U nor the ACC is not his regular beat, but his intern could've done a better job.

Go Canes

[DATcane]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-joerosebloglink08,0,1565032.storylink

U

[pre83]

Solar - I, too, really liked your article...Gracias!

As I have posted before, while the U doesn't have the same type of tradition as does a OSU, ND, OU, it has for some time made a point to not let the upcoming classes forget where and how it all started.

It's a bit of a catch 22 for the fans, especially having RS as coach - an individual who has more ties throughout the successful years than any other Cane alive. It's natural to make the connections.

However, I agree that it's time for RS and crew to draw the distinction of their own claim to fame. Butch did it to a degree as the teams at the start of the new millennium were definitely less brash, but certainly just as good.

Let's get it on with a new success for a new decade!

Go Canes!

[Cat 5 Cane]

Nice stuff Solar and in many ways I agree with you, that comparing teams in the 80's/90's verses today, can't be done.

Yesteryear was a different era, raised from the ambers of hate... That said, It's impossible to compare the deeper motivation to win, compared to today game. Easier schedules played a huge part in comparing wins and losses. Less games played, But, but, but who's looking at that... They don't care.

The Fans say, Just give me a win, Baby!

Canes

[Esteban]

Black Eyed Peas are an example of a group that when they first came out was one thing and with the edition of a lighter shade singer went pop all the way. They had a chick singing the hook on a number of songs on their first album, definitely wasn't Fergie. Was a different flavor of hip hop. Now its hip pop, electronic pop, whatever.

first song off their first album (or at least first to actually sell anything) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN9muHLuHDc&feature=related

[UMike]

404...I agree somehwhat with you..we did lose to Wisconsin...but which Miami team lost? It sure wasn't the healthy team that blew out a top 10 GT team. All Im trying to say is..if anyone did their research, knew about our massive injury list on D last year, the very very very important injury to J12 (with no capable back up plan)..all talent returning and coming in..another year under Whipple and Lovett, no changes in Coordinators and am upgrade at D-line coach....would know we deserve better than #23...this is suppose to be based on what we have coming back..not how we finished last year. J12 was a walking bandage lol..our d-line and LB were very thin etc etc to end the season. Just saying..i think based on what we have coming back, we should be higher.

[Cat 5 Cane]

Damn, I look up and there it is... What USA said!

[Cat 5 Cane]

Out