CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Colin McCarthy already has a few highlight-reel moments from his time at Miami.

He blocked a punt in 2006, had a fumble recovery for a touchdown that clinched a win at Florida State in 2007, had the bone-jarring block that freed up Thearon Collier for a 60-yard punt return score this season in a victory over Virginia, and is Miami's leading tackler in 2009.

But there's no rings on his fingers.

And that's part of the reason why he's coming back in 2010.

The linebacker from Clearwater, Fla. is already giving next year's team a boost by saying he won't even consider testing the NFL waters this offseason.

Instead, he's only thinking about how No. 21 Miami (7-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) can finish this season up strongly.

"If we win these last two games, then play in a good bowl game and go into next season on a high note, there's still a lot of positive things to get out of this season," McCarthy said. "We've still got a lot of young guys. We've got some guys hurt that are coming back. We're still positive as players and we want to get these wins."

With a healthy McCarthy, who signed with Miami hoping to one day play for a national title, the Hurricanes certainly rate a chance of making that happen.

Panthers honored

William Fleming graduate Dennis Hardy was one of five Ferrum players named to the All-USA South first team.

Hardy, a defensive back, had 44 ¹₂ tackles and four interceptions. He was joined on the first team by fullback Quintel Banks (384 yards), offensive lineman Dexter Hinds, defensive lineman Willie Taylor (34 ¹₂ tackles, four sacks) and punter T.J. Grzesikowski (39.8 yards per punt).

The second team included running back Mike Vann (662 yards), offensive lineman Andrew Hollingsworth (Staunton River), defensive lineman and Patrick Henry graduate Zack Leonard (39 ¹₂ tackles, five sacks), linebacker Maureik Goode (54 tackles) and place-kicker Scott Puschell (seven field goals).

BCA considers new ways to make hiring progress

INDIANAPOLIS -- The head of the Black Coaches and Administrators group called Wednesday for more involvement by college presidents in hiring football coaches, a move he said would lead to more minority coaches on the sidelines.

Floyd Keith, executive director of the group, believes it's the best option to make changes quickly.

After releasing the group's latest hiring report card Wednesday, Keith said he was willing to listen to any ideas, including a possible lawsuit, to improve numbers that show nine of 120 Football Bowl Subdivision schools have minority head coaches.

Kansas athletic dept. investigating Mangino

LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Kansas football coach Mark Mangino poked senior linebacker Arist Wright in the chest during a Friday walkthrough practice the day before the game at Colorado, sources told The Kansas City Star on Tuesday evening, triggering an athletic department investigation of Mangino.

On Monday night, Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins met with the entire football team to discuss concerns relating to Mangino's treatment of student-athletes.

-- Staff, wire reports