Miami's Charlie Coles considering retirement

The RedHawks' frustrating season appears to be taking a toll on coach Charlie Coles. Coles, who is in his 16th season at Miami and his 22nd year coaching in the Mid-American Conference, told the Oxford (Ohio) Press that he is contemplating retirement at the end of the season. Asked about his future plans, Coles said, "Let me say this. I don't know. It's looking more and more like this could be it -- for several reasons, all of them mine. I'm not sure. It ain't final." Coles made those comments the day before Miami's 73-64 loss at Western Michigan on Jan. 28 that dropped the RedHawks to 5-14 overall, 1-6 in the league. Coles, who will turn 70 on Feb. 6, has battled health problems for several years. He had a heart attack during a game in the 1998 Mid-American Conference tournament. Coles had heart surgery late in the 2008 season and missed several games, but he decided to return the following season. Despite his thoughts about retirement and Miami's rocky season, Coles still likes his job. "I enjoy it because I've got this team," he said in the Press. "These guys are working so hard." Still, this has been a tough season for the RedHawks. Miami and Northern Illinois were tied for the worst record in the league through Jan. 29. The loss to Western Michigan was the Red Hawks' seventh in their last eight games. Miami's only win in the stretch was a one-point victory over Buffalo on Jan. 14. Guard Allen Roberts (knee surgery) was injured in preseason practice, and he won't play this season. Forward Bill Edwards played in only seven games before wrist surgery likely ended his season. Guard Orlando Williams is no longer in school after an arrest on suspicion of burglary. Coles couldn't hide his disappointment after a two-point loss at home to Toledo on Jan. 25. "A very, very low point," he said in the Press. "It's going to be a long night ... The lowest point I may have had in college coaching may have been tonight." NOTES, QUOTESLong-range shooting faded in second half of loss at WMU --Miami came out firing against Western Michigan on Jan. 28. The RedHawks hit 11 of 13 shots from 3-point territory and scored 35 points in the first half. Julian Mavunga's free throws were the only two points in the half that didn't come as a result of 3-pointers. Brian Sullivan, who started at point guard, hit five 3-pointers in the first half. However, the RedHawks cooled off considerably after the hot start. Miami made four of 17 3-pointers in the second half. The 15 3-pointers tied for the second-most in a game in school history. Miami shot 30 times from behind the arc. --Miami's defense had a long day against Western Michigan. The Broncos shot 57.1 percent from the field. The RedHawks were torched for 15-of-25 shooting in the first half and 9-of-17 in the second half. The poor defense also showed up in the foul-shooting numbers. Western Michigan got to the line 30 times, hitting 21, while Miami was 7-for-15 from the line. --Centers Drew McGhee and Vince Legarza were scoreless against Western Michigan. McGhee, who started, missed his only shot attempt and had two rebounds in 19 minutes. Legarza also missed his only shot attempt and didn't get a rebound in five minutes. BY THE NUMBERS: 32 -- The combined margin of Miami's six losses in the Mid-American Conference through Jan. 29. All of the defeats had been by fewer than 10 points. One loss was by two points, and two others were by four points. QUOTE TO NOTE: "These are the kinds of games you've got to win, and I don't know if our guys are strong enough mentally." -- Miami coach Charlie Coles, in the Oxford (Ohio) Press, referencing home losses against Bowling Green and Toledo. STRATEGY AND PERSONNELTHIS WEEK'S GAMES:--vs. Eastern Michigan, Feb. 1KEY MATCHUPS: The Eagles are no longer the pushover they've been for several years. Eastern Michigan is contending for the West Division title. Both teams emphasize a patient offense and strong defense, so the game should be low-scoring. The Eagles have seven players who average at least five points a game. --at Ball State, Feb. 4 KEY MATCHUPS: The Cardinals are another team battling for first place in the West. The game will feature a matchup between forwards Julian Mavunga and Jarrod Jones, who are both candidates for the conference Player of the Year award. Ball State is a balanced team with six players averaging at least 7.2 points a game through Jan. 29. FUTURES MARKET: Coach Charlie Coles benched PG Quinten Rollins and replaced him with Brian Sullivan against Western Michigan on Jan. 28. Rollins, a sophomore, started 17 of the first 18 games. He was averaging 6.3 points and shooting 48.4 percent from the field, but he'd had problems running the offense. Through Jan. 29, Rollins had 55 assists, but he had committed 46 turnovers. He played 19 minutes against the Broncos, finishing with six points, three turnovers and one assist. PLAYER NOTES --Senior F Julian Mavunga scored 19 points and had 10 rebounds in 37 minutes against Western Michigan. He had 11 double-doubles this season and 25 in his career through Jan. 29. --Freshman G Brian Sullivan started at point guard against Western Michigan. He scored 20 points and made six of his nine 3-point attempts. Sullivan had three assists and no turnovers in 37 minutes. --Sophomore F Jon Harris scored six points and had five rebounds in 37 minutes against Western Michigan. He had two assists and two blocked shots.