Ex-Miami coach Coker signs 24 to inaugural UTSA football class that won’t play until 2011

Coker signs 24 to inaugural UTSA football class

SAN ANTONIO — Former Miami coach Larry Coker has signed his first class of recruits at UTSA — a team that won’t play its first game until 2011.

Coker says he was just happy to have players to coach again, three years after Miami fired him when a mediocre 2006 season was marred by violence on and off the field. He has spent the past two years as a TV analyst.

Coker led the Hurricanes to the 2001 national championship. The San Antonio college of 28,000 plans to play football as an independent for two years and then join the Football Bowl Subdivision.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Former Miami coach Larry Coker has signed his first class of recruits at USTA — a team that won’t play its first game until 2011.

Coker says he was just happy to have players to coach again, three years after Miami fired him when a mediocre 2006 season was marred by violence on and off the field. He has spent the past two years as a TV analyst.

Coker led the Hurricanes to the 2001 national championship. The San Antonio college of 28,000 plans to play football as an independent for two years and then join the Football Bowl Subdivision.

(This version CORRECTS to UTSA sted USTA in lead)