CORAL GABLES, Fla. - The Miami Hurricanes promoted defensive coordinator Randy Shannon to head coach Friday to replace Larry Coker.

Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon laughs during a reception before the Frank Broyles Award ceremony Wednesday, Dec.12, 2001, in Little Rock, Ark. Longtime Miami defensive coordinator Shannon will replace the fired Larry Coker as coach of the Hurricanes, The Miami Herald reported on its Web site Thursday, Dec. 7, 2006. (AP Photo/Mike Wintroath,file)

Shannon was to be introduced at a news conference Friday. He helped the Hurricanes win three national championships as a linebacker and has overseen the defense since 2001. Miami fired Coker two weeks ago after the team finished the regular season 6-6, its worst record since 1997.

"Randy has the discipline and heart of a champion," university president Donna Shalala said in a statement. "He has been preparing himself for a head coaching position his whole life, and I am very happy that the opportunity came atr the University of Miami, his alma mater. We are extremely lucky to have him."