Crudup Meets With Coker

CORAL GABLES, Fla. —  Miami Hurricane quarterback Derrick Crudup Jr., who claimed race played a role in the decision to give a teammate the starting job, met Monday with Coach Larry Coker to discuss the issue.

Also attending the 75-minute meeting were Crudup’s father, former NFL player Derrick Crudup Sr., and quarterback coach Dan Werner.

“It was an outstanding meeting.” Crudup Sr. said. Asked if his son will remain at Miami for the 2003 season, Crudup Sr. said, “Absolutely.”

The family declined to comment further, pending the release today of a joint statement by the Crudups and Coker.

Crudup Jr. lost out to Brock Berlin in their battle this spring to succeed Ken Dorsey as the starting quarterback. Crudup is black and Berlin is white.

Crudup and his father said the competition was compromised by racially insensitive comments from Werner -- who is white -- when referring to himself.