Hurricane Sports Nation

HSN had the opportunity to catch up with none other than Uncle Luke formerly of the 2 Live Crew, and now the linebackers coach at Miami Central. Luke was getting ready for Central’s game in Atlanta this weekend but he took some time to share his thoughts on the season as well as some other issues.

We were having trouble with the audio version of the interview so here is the transcript from our conversation.

HSN: Luke, we here at HSN are big fans and are happy to have you here with us to talk about the U. We know your the man to talk to get the scoop on the team.

Luke: Kenny I’m happy to be here and I’m ready for a National Championship this season.

HSN: How do you feel about the current state of the program? Are you happy with Randy Shannon?

Luke: Of course I’m excited. This program is ready to take the next step and win the National Championship. Its been a long time coming,but this team has the athletes now. There ready to compete, no more excuses.

HSN: What are your expectations for 2010? What is a satisfying season to you?

Luke: 12-0 National Championship. Like I said no more excuses this team should do it this season.

HSN: Why do you think the program took that huge dip under Larry Coker?

Luke: I think it was because under Larry Coker the team got away from recruiting in Dade and Broward Counties. I think under Coker’s staff the recruiting got too much into stars and into following websites like Rivals.com. Anyone that knows anything about recruiting will tell you those sites are worthless.

HSN: The U 30 for 30 documentary was great. Did you enjoy working on the project with Billy Corben?

Luke: Oh yeah, The movie was great it gave me a chance to catch up with some old friends, and it also gave the University of Miami a lot of recognition which the deserve.

HSN: I know some stories were left out of the film. Can you share a story with us that didn’t make it onto the screen? I’m sure you have a ton.

Luke: There are so many stories I don’t know where to begin. In my opinion they could have made a movie on Jerome Brown by himself. Jerome Brown was a legend I mean that guy meant so much to the program. Talking about that Penn State Steak Fry, that was just one of many stories about Jerome Brown. There will never be another player like him.

HSN: Which players were closest to you back in the days when you were on the sidelines of the U. Do you still keep in touch with them today?

Luke: Man there are so many guys, Jerome was on of them of course, I also still stay in touch with D.J. Fullerton, Edgerrin James, Cortez Kennedy, Warren Sapp. I talk to those guys at least once or twice every week.

HSN: Do you think Miami needs to gain back the swagger of the 80′s and 90′s to win championships again or do you think its a different era today?

Luke: I do think its a different era, but not completely. Coach Shannon needs to let these guys go out there have fun and shake things up on the field. He needs to have these guys disciplined off the field, but violent when the whistle blows. Thats what Miami football is all about. Nobody likes us we are the enemy. We have to just accept it and go out there and kick some ass. Thats the type of football I like to watch and coach. Let me tell you something, that game vs Ohio State this year will be the National Championship for us. They better be ready to come in there and not just compete. They will need to dominate. If they go into Ohio State thinking that the Buckeyes are going be scared of them they are going to get surprised. Miami no longer puts that fear into teams like they used to. They have to gain back that respect by doing it on the field. Thats all I have to say about that.

HSN: Did you hear about the article in the MiamiHerald about Nevin Shapiro and the Ponzi scandal? In the article it mentions that players actually called Shapiro “Little Luke” What are your thoughts on the article?

Luke: Yeah, I got a chance to read the article. Actually it made me very upset. Everyone knows the Herald writer Barry Jackson doesn’t like the Canes. He will try to twist any story to make the team look bad. That type of stuff really pisses me off, I hate when people change things that I say. Barry wrote a few weeks back that I think Miami should run the spread offense and throw the ball more. I never said any of that. It just goes to show you, don’t always believe what you read.

HSN: We know you’ve played a big role in optimist and high school football across Dade County. Can you talk about your experience working with the youth and the quality of athletes we have here in South Florida compared to other states.

Luke: I love it. Miami Dade has the best football players in the country and its the greatest experience being around these young men. I started off coaching at the parks and then that got too easy after we dominated all the teams there. I moved onto coaching at Central High since then. I’ve coached a ton of d1 players at the optimist level and its so fun watching them grow. Football is a sport that should be fun and kids should have fun playing it. It shouldn’t turn into a job. The kids shouldn’t have to feel like they are in the army. I don’t know any soldiers that are happy to be in the war.In the end its all about getting these kids into colleges and getting them an education. I’m not talking about junior colleges, I’m talking about four year universities.

What exactly do you coach over at Miami Central? How do you think the Rockets will do this year are they a contender?

Luke: I was the defensive coordinator at the optimist level, but the coach at Central wanted me to coach linebackers so thats what I’m doing now. Oh yeah and I think Central can win it all. Just look at their schedule they play the number one team in Georgia this week then they play one of the top teams in Texas next week, and they play Miami Northwestern also. The schedule we play shows that were not afraid to play anyone anywhere. Were # 2 in the country according to the USA Today rankings, so watch out for us.

HSN: Would you consider head coaching in the future?

Luke: Being a celebrity its very hard to be in the spotlight. There are a lot of people out there that automatically don’t like you and want to hate on you. Its very hard to hide from the haters.

HSN: Can you throw out some names of high school or college stars from Dade County to look out for in the upcoming years? Any big time playmakers we will hear about in the future?

Luke: Man I’ve coached them all at the optimist level. To throw out a few names watch out for Raheem Cato, Charles Gaines Jr, Devonta Freeman, Jermaine Reve, and at the college level look out for Wayne Times, Khambrel McGee, and Jeffrey Godfrey. These are all guys that are going to turn heads just wait and see.

HSN: Can you compare Jacory Harris to Teddy Bridgewater for us?

Luke: Well Jacory is obviously further along and more mature than Teddy, but they both know how to put that tremendous touch on the ball. Honestly the guy that I really think will be special is Jeffrey Godfrey over at UCF. That kid has a gun, I don’t know why the hurricanes didn’t give him a closer look. The kid is like Drew Brees out there. I mean he has a better arm than Drew Brees right now. Everyone said he was too short, but look at Drew Brees that guy one a superbowl and he is the same height as Jeffrey. I hope that Teddy will be a player at Miami, and I wish him the best, but I honestly think Jeffrey is something special. I think UCF will move to the Big East and this guy will win championships for them.In a few years we will be able to look back and see if Miami made the right choice in picking Teddy over Jeffrey. We may look back down the road and kick ourselves in the butt for missing the boat on Jeff.

HSN: What is a typical day for Luke? How have things changed for you?

Luke: Well for one I have a beautiful one and a half year old son who I love so much, and I’m married now.I’m pretty much the same guy. I have the players come over on the weekend and we have fun and we just chill out and enjoy ourselves. I guess everything is still the same except I don’t have the girls in the pool anymore. If the fans are interested they can follow me on my twitter site now.

HSN: What is your take on the hip-hop industry today? Do you like the direction its headed?

Luke: I like the direction its headed, but its a totally different game today. Its so much harder to get your song played on the radio today. DJ’s play 4 or 5 songs and then they cut for a commercial. Now theres facebook, and twitter. We never had any of that stuff.Its just not what it used to be.

HSN: Do you still have a hand in the music industry or is that a thing of the past?

Luke: Once your in the music business you can never get out. I’m always doing appearances and promoting different things, but honestly football takes up most of my time now.

HSN: Do you still keep in touch with the 2 Live Crew, or any of your old artists?

Luke: Not that much I spoke to J.T. Money once. I spoke to Pitbull a couple of times and Mr. Mix. Thats about it.

HSN: Well Luke I don’t want to take up anymore of your time. Thanks for sharing your time with HSN and hopefully we can do this again soon.

Luke: No problem Kenny call me anytime we can talk about the games each week.