Former University of Tennessee tailback LaMarcus Coker, who was dismissed last month by the Vols after reportedly failing a drug test for the fourth time, told the Newport News Daily Press that he is transferring to Hampton University.
“My mom was asking me what I wanted for Christmas, and I told her I wanted a fresh start,” Coker told the newspaper in a story on their Web site Thursday. “I want to put everything that happened at the University of Tennessee behind me and get a fresh start.
“I understand I did things wrong and I can’t behave that way again. It’s time for me to move on and mature as a man.”
Because Hampton is a Division I-AA school, Coker will be eligible to play during the 2008 season.
Coker led SEC freshmen in rushing in 2006. He rushed for 169 yards and one touchdown in seven games this season. He caught seven passes for 132 yards and two TDs and returned 21 kickoffs for an average of 26.7 yards.
The newspaper said Coker contacted Hampton after consulting with former Pirates safety Derius Swinton, now a graduate assistant coach with the Vols. Coker committed to Hampton last weekend during an on-campus visit.
Coker said he was impressed by the success of other Hampton players with difficult pasts. He mentioned defensive end Marcus Dixon.
As a high school senior, Dixon was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a high school classmate. Dixon said the sex was consentual and the Georgia Supreme Court overturned the conviction. Dixon has made the dean’s list every semester while at Hampton, and earned Associated Press All-American honors this season.
“He’s definitely a role model for me to look up to,” Coker said. “For a guy like me, with problems in his past, Hampton University is a great situation to come into.”
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Comments » 43
chrisw2967 writes:
he should of thought about acting like a man when he had a chance. way too much talent gone to waste over some stupid drugs
TommyJack writes:
True. But if he's sincere, how can you not pull for him?
navyvolinva writes:
I'm about 20 mins from Hampton, so I 'll see if he's on the up and up.
wstatzer#274065 writes:
Deans list at Hampton is somethig special.
ncvol17 writes:
guess Hampton is better than Oregon where Onterrio found the ganja even better...
madisonvillevol writes:
stupid is as stupid does.
GerryOP writes:
LaMarcus, go forth and do well. You have another chance, make the best of it. You have a long and glorious life ahead of you; with Faith your life can be a success.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Go son, we're pulling for you. It was not meant to be as a Vol. Move on, do better and live a full, great life.
gohawks1 writes:
Dang, are we ever gonna get to read a fresh article about something else other than coaching and player transfers? Maybe an article on something like, say, THE BOWL GAME.
Come on, guys, let's hear about the upcoming game. Enough of this other stuff, please. At least mix in an occasional article about FOOTBALL now and then.
nickperkinsalc#627224 writes:
I hope he dominates at Hampton.
vol4jesus writes:
I appreciate the postings pulling for Lamarcus to grow up and not waste his last opportunity. OOOPs sorry iporange had to spoil the feel good session. My question is when you saw the article heading is why did you even read it? Hmmmmmm
threehundredbowler writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
gohawks1 writes:
Sucker-punched by vol4jesus.... who'd a thunk it? Hmmmmmm
dfreeman writes:
seven_pin what'd he do kick your dog?? LOL He didn't even pull a negative on this article!!
rabidvol1998 writes:
Hey headline writer -- are you trying to be funny by saying Coker "transfered" when the headline below reads Fulmer says no players to transfer? When you are kicked off the team, is that really a transfer?
2.Transfer - To withdraw from one educational institution or course of study and enroll in another
FWBVol writes:
tapjr, get a life. It's obvious they are two different situations with each story. All I had to do was read the headlines and understand that Phillip Fulmer meant no players had asked to transfer yet due to David Cutcliffe and Trooper Taylor leaving.
rabidvol1998 writes:
FWBVol - can any of us posting really have a life? Any way, based on your comments I think we agree with each other. I think the Coker headline is in error and should not have used the work "transfer", but was done to contradict Fulmer's comment.
DooleyNoted writes:
ESPN just reported that McCoy and Bolden are out for the bowl game. Good job guys. Did anyone ever tell you the % of college players that make it to the NFL?
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
I wish this kid the best, if he's sincere. If he isn't, it'll catch up with him.
justingh1 writes:
mccoy and bolden out for outback
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
Dixon is the kid who had a scholarship to Vanderbilt, but was convicted of statuatory rape for having sex with a 15 year old when he was a senior. He was acquitted of rape. He claimed she was his girlfriend, she said she wasn't, although she told others that her father would kill her if he knew she was dating an African-American (she is white).
GoVols88 writes:
I'm not at all for drugs, period. But I am a big-time Coker fan. I seen him play at Antioch High only 1 game and he dazzled with his moves, speed and vision. And he showed (me) he could do that at UT. IMO he was not utilized enough (probably his fault) but he can run the football better than anyone I've seen recently. I know about the drugs and suspension and I don't condone it. But mark it down, if Coker stays in school there at Hampton he will be an All American, IMO. He is the most dynamic running back I've seen at UT since Webb.
etvolfan writes:
If he gets kicked out of Hampton then he will be working at The Hampton carrying the bags for the guests that check in the hotel. Last time for you...don't screw it up.
southernACmavs writes:
Hampton has the best WEED
madisonvillevol writes:
coach sparks and carson-newman, now that is someone he could really look up to, and a place where he could probably grow and mature into a man.
GreerVol22 writes:
IPOrange...We are in a bowl game? When did this happen? Have we practiced? Who's on the injury list? Who are we playing? Whats the scouting report look like? .......I agree man, you would think KNS could find a journalism intern that could write a daily, 3 paragraph "bowl update" column huh?
By the way Coker....smoke 'em if you got 'em!..no that's wrong....just burn 'em!....no, no that's not it either...leave them in the weeds!....oh well...Scooby Doobie, Doobie!
volunteerTY23 writes:
best of luck to lamarcus, im all for a young man turning his life around and righting his wrongs, I hope that lamarcus is able to do that, good luck LC
dfreeman writes:
I hate to tell you madisonvillevol, but if you are a starter for Coach Sparks you can get away with murder as well. Those players at CN smoke every bit as much weed as the UT players or any other school!! They just don't get caught!
leedsvol2007 writes:
I hope Coker can get his act together. Onterrio Smith was an unbelievable talent and never did.
In the meantime he can ask Santa for a Whizzenator.
GoVols!
ALLVOL12 writes:
Good luck Lamarcus, I hope you are sincere this time. You have a lot of talent that you shouldn't take for granted. We are pulling for you.
Brama writes:
Coker will either be a millionaire or running the streets of clarksville broke in a few yrs it's up to him!
etvolfan writes:
Larmarcus has a world of talent. His choice what he wants to do with it at this point.
tnbanker_govols writes:
Maybe the grass IS greener on the other side
budrhon writes:
Best of luck young man and ignore the negative post in here. People are more disappointed because you couldn't give up the "keeping it real" life style. Hopefully now this has been a humbling experience for you. Hampton is a Historical Black College (HBCU) where you can do well. So look forward, never back.
UT_Tim writes:
tnbanker.....Now that's funny
What a proud University that must be.
Coker said he was impressed by the success of other Hampton players with difficult pasts. He mentioned defensive end Marcus Dixon. Dixon was sentenced to 10 years in prison for sexually assaulting a high school classmate. “He’s definitely a role model for me to look up to,” Coker said
WOW, I want my daughter to attend that school.
bigbluevol writes:
Good luck to LaMarcus. That run against Marshall was awesome, as was his long one against Vandy later that year. I hope that he can get it together. I don't know how close Hampton is to Newport News, but I do know NN is a rough place. The Vicks, Allen Iverson and others are from there. I hope Coker can stay on the straight and narrow. As for hiresanders, more pure brilliance.
inquiry writes:
“My mom was asking me what I wanted for Christmas, and I told her I wanted a fresh start,”
I would have figured perhaps a Bong and some rolling papers
PowerT writes:
Sounds like hes going to a place where he can get away with his lifestyle instead of making a change in it. Good luck LaMarcus and Keep on Smokin!
PowerT writes:
I was at D1 School , but I got high ... I was gonna rush for alot of yards , but I got high.. Now Im going to Howard , And I know why... Because I got High....Because I got High....Because I got High.. ba da da da da.
invisiblekid writes:
I wish Coker the best but I have to say that I echo your comment marc_ash. Hopefully, he keeps it together this time and gets a shot at the NFL.
volmot writes:
To all you posters making comments about Dixion do some research. This was a 17 year old convicted of having sex with his 15 year old girlfriend. He was convicted as a child molester. The sponsor of the bill Dixion that was used to convict Dixion said it was a travesty of justice and that his bill was for men raping little (under 12) kids. The case was on 60 Min. It was obvious that race was a factor as the girl was white. The conviction was overturned.
VAVol writes:
I too will be watching as I live in the Hampton Roads area of Virgina as well.
southernACmavs writes:
remember toke toke PASS man
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