Butch Davis's departure could potentially devastate the Hurricanes' 2001 recruiting class because it is happening at the worst time possible, nine days before signing day.

Miami should be able to keep their good prospects, but their great prospects will probably start looking around, perhaps even visiting other schools this weekend. Some of them may de-commit because of the uncertainty over the coaching staff.

For example, Leon Williams, the nation's top prospect at linebacker who committed to Miami over Penn State just this past weekend, may end up going back to the Nittany Lions. Tight end Brandon Sebald has already been contacted by several other schools. Miami's best local commitment, DB Antrel Rolle, has already been contacted by Ohio State and Notre Dame.

The new coach faces the challenge of keeping the majority of the committed players in the fold. I don't believe the Hurricanes could get a coach from another major program, because there aren't very many coaches who would leave their program in as dire situation recruiting-wise as Davis has done.