Hurricanes win one for embattled Coker, 17-14

Larry Coker walked slowly off the field at the Orange Bowl, stopping for a few hugs and handshakes along the way.

And if it was his last time coaching on Miami’s home sideline, he left a winner.

Kirby Freeman threw for 181 yards and a touchdown, Javarris James’ two-yard run in the third quarter put Miami ahead to stay, and the Hurricanes’ defense stifled No. 18 Boston College in rallying for a 17-14 victory Thursday night.

The Hurricanes, 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, ended a four-game losing streak and became bowl-eligible. Soon, they’ll know if they’ll actually get an invitation to the postseason -- and if the embattled Coker will be coaching.

A decision on his future at Miami could be announced as early as today, and speculation has been widespread for weeks that his six-year tenure leading the Hurricanes is about to end.

But Coker insisted afterward that he believes his time at Miami isn’t over, saying “we’re going to be here.” He didn’t say when he expected to meet with university President Donna Shalala to discuss his future.

“I don’t plan on sitting down with them,” Coker said, grinning. “They won’t be able to find me. I’m leaving as soon as we get done here. I’m going out the back door.”

DeJuan Tribble had three interceptions, returning one for a touchdown for Boston College (9-3, 5-3), which saw its hopes of winning the ACC championship end.

The Eagles’ loss means the winner of Saturday’s Maryland-Wake Forest game will meet Georgia Tech on Dec. 2 in the league’s title game.

It was Boston College’s 15th consecutive loss in the series, its last win coming exactly 22 years earlier -- when Doug Flutie’s miracle pass was caught by Gerard Phelan as time expired and the Eagles escaped the Orange Bowl with a 47-45 win.

The crowd of 23,308 was the smallest in 44 home games for Miami.