The Snubbed Dynasty: 20 Mind-Blowing Facts About The 2000 Miami Hurricanes Football Team

The 2000 Miami Hurricanes football team is arguably one of the most talented, yet most overlooked, squads in college football history. Finishing the season with an 11-1 record and a No. 2 national ranking, this team was a true powerhouse, serving as the immediate precursor to the legendary 2001 National Championship team.

As of late 2024, the legacy of the 2000 Hurricanes continues to be debated by historians and fans alike, largely centered on a controversial loss and the subsequent national title "snub." The sheer volume of future NFL Pro Bowlers and Hall of Famers on this roster solidified "The U's" status as the premier talent factory of the early 2000s, making their single-loss season a fascinating case study in college football dominance.

The Unprecedented Roster: A Dynasty in the Making (15+ NFL Entities)

The 2000 Miami Hurricanes roster was a stunning collection of future NFL talent, many of whom were still underclassmen, providing the team with unmatched depth and star power. The coaching staff, led by Head Coach Butch Davis, was equally stacked with future NFL head coaches and coordinators.

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• Ken Dorsey (QB): The starting quarterback who would lead the 2001 team to a national title. He is currently an NFL coach, holding the title of passing game specialist for the Dallas Cowboys as of late 2024.
• Santana Moss (WR): A senior star who finished his Hurricanes career as one of the most dynamic wide receivers in school history, going on to a 14-season NFL career. He is being inducted into the Commanders' Ring of Fame.
• Andre Johnson (WR): A true freshman in 2000 who became one of the greatest wide receivers in NFL history, playing 14 seasons, primarily for the Houston Texans.
• Jeremy Shockey (TE): A sophomore tight end who rose to prominence with his physical play, later becoming a first-round pick and a four-time Pro Bowl player in the NFL.
• Clinton Portis (RB): A sophomore running back who split carries, rushing for 485 yards in a reserve role. He later became a two-time Pro Bowler in the NFL.
• Najeh Davenport (RB): A junior running back who contributed significantly to the rushing attack before his nine-year NFL career.
• James Jackson (RB): The starting running back who was a third-round pick in the 2001 NFL Draft.
• Ed Reed (DB): A junior safety who became one of the greatest defensive players in college and NFL history, a future Pro Football Hall of Famer.
• Bryant McKinnie (OL): A massive offensive tackle who was a key protector for Dorsey and later a first-round NFL Draft pick.
• Brett Romberg (OL): The starting center who would win the Rimington Trophy in 2002.
• Daniel Franks (TE): Drafted in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft, a testament to the program's talent pipeline even before the 2000 season began.
• Michael Boireau (DE): A defensive end selected in the 2000 NFL Draft.
• Nate Webster (LB): A linebacker selected in the 2000 NFL Draft.
• D.J. Williams (LB/TE): A versatile player who later became a first-round linebacker in the NFL.
• Larry Coker (OC): Offensive Coordinator who took over as Head Coach in 2001.
• Greg Schiano (DC): Defensive Coordinator who became a notable college and NFL head coach.
• Chuck Pagano (ST/DB): Secondary Coach who went on to become an NFL Head Coach.
• Rob Chudzinski (TE): Tight Ends Coach who also became an NFL Head Coach.

The Season of ‘What If’: The Washington Huskies Upset and the BCS Snub

The 2000 season was a near-perfect campaign marred by a single, highly consequential loss that has become a permanent fixture in college football debate. The team finished with an 11-1 record, secured the Big East Conference title with a 7-0 record, and was ranked No. 2 in the final AP Poll.

The only blemish on the record came early in the season, on September 9, 2000, in Seattle against the No. 15 Washington Huskies. The Hurricanes, then ranked No. 4, lost a hard-fought battle 34-29 at Husky Stadium. This loss, while a major upset, was the primary reason Miami was excluded from the BCS National Championship Game.

Despite the single loss, the Hurricanes' dominance in their remaining schedule led many to believe they deserved a shot at the title. They were ultimately passed over for the BCS Championship Game, which featured the No. 1 Oklahoma Sooners and the No. 3 Florida State Seminoles. This decision remains a classic example of a "snub" in the BCS era, as many argue the Hurricanes' overall talent and later-season performance warranted a top-two spot.

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The 2000 team’s final game was a statement victory that only fueled the national championship debate.

Dominance in the Sugar Bowl and the Legacy of the U

After being excluded from the national title game, the No. 2 ranked Hurricanes faced off against the No. 7 Florida Gators in the 2001 Sugar Bowl, played on January 2, 2001. This game became an opportunity for the Hurricanes to prove they were the best team in the nation, regardless of the BCS rankings.

Miami delivered a commanding performance, defeating the Steve Spurrier-led Gators 37-20. The victory was a definitive end to the season and a powerful declaration of the program's return to elite status. Running back James Jackson was named the Sugar Bowl MVP, capping off his stellar college career. The team’s performance against a top-10 SEC opponent solidified the argument that they were indeed National Championship caliber.

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The Bridge to the 2001 National Championship

The most significant part of the 2000 team's legacy is its role as the direct foundation for the 2001 National Championship squad, which is frequently cited as the greatest college football team of all time. The 2000 team’s core—featuring sophomore stars like Ken Dorsey, Jeremy Shockey, and Clinton Portis, and junior leaders like Ed Reed—returned with a vengeance in 2001. The experience gained in the 2000 season, particularly the sting of the Washington loss and the BCS snub, forged a level of focus and determination that carried them to an undefeated season and the national title.

The 2000 squad is a perfect illustration of a program reloading with generational talent. It wasn't just a great team; it was a launching pad for an entire decade of NFL dominance, showcasing the deep-seated culture of winning and talent development at "The U."