Randy Shannon has officially be let go as the head coach at the University of Miami. Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple has also been released and offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland will take over as interim coach.
Obviously there’s more to come. The Jon Gruden rumors are still percolating and you have to believe there’s a game plan in place if Shannon was fired hours after today’s 23-20 overtime loss to South Florida. Some are reporting that Donna Shalala gave Kirby Hocutt and the Board Of Trustees the green light after combined losses to both Florida State and Virginia, lending credibility to the “win out or bust” talk that kicked up weeks back.
First and foremost, if you are a true fan of this program, you are feeling Shannon’s pain. There’d have been no better story for the University of Miami and this city than the hometown boy, former player and long-time assistant making good and turning this thing around. Had Shannon been able to get it done, Miami would’ve had a perennial lifer. Whoever takes over next, it could be two years, five years, maybe a decade if this program is lucky – but they wouldn’t have had the staying power of a successful Shannon.
This is a man that gave his all to this program for the past three decades and he is forever one of our own. That said, he was simply in over his head as the leader of this program and after a 28-22 run over four seasons, made it painfully obvious that he wasn’t the right guy for the job.
I am a Randy Shannon fan, but I my heart is with this university and this football program and no man is bigger than the greater good of ‘The U’. I was rooting for Coach Shannon and will continue to do so wherever he ends up (unless it’s Gainesville or Tallahassee). He gave it his all, but it simply wasn’t enough.
I stated from day one that Shannon deserved four to five years to right the ship and that as long as Miami continued improving under him, I was on board. I also stated that if the Canes began to backslide on his watch or if he didn’t have this thing turned around in five years, I’d be on the front line stating that he needed to go. I’m not happy it came to this, but I’ll sleep better tonight knowing that 7-5 isn’t acceptable at UM.
For all of those who said that the Shalala / Hocutt duo “don’t care about football” or were “satisfied with four-loss seasons as long as kids stay out of trouble”, you were way off.
ACC revenue splits and shared BCS money don’t make up for almost two dozen losses in four seasons, pissed off donors / boosters and the smallest home crowd (just over 26K) since Larry Coker’s Thanksgiving finale in 2006.
Shalala and Hocutt are out to build a winner and we’ll see what continues to unfold in the coming days. This firing came hours after the overtime loss, so again, one has to believe there is a plan in place. Signing Day is two months out and during these weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it isn’t necessarily time to launch a full-blown search.
When the top brass acts this quickly, you have to believe someone has already been targeted and if the green light was given over a month ago (post-Virginia), you also have to believe conversations and preliminary chats are underway.
Also newsworthy, talk that the buyout wasn’t as large as some originally thought (possibly half the previously mentioned $1.5M) and that there might’ve been a clause regarding number of losses. The point? The fact that the extension was given doesn’t mean there weren’t stipulations made to protect the university.
It was the right call months back, for the sake of recruiting and stability – but when the rubber met the road and a job was not well done, Miami did what it needed to do and from the sounds of things, did what it needed to do to protect itself.
Georgia’s Mark Richt and former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach have been mentioned, but I personally can’t see how either happen as Richt is still coaching the Dawgs and word from day one is that Shalala isn’t a Leach fan and has been adamant behind closed doors that he’ll never be ‘the guy’ at UM.
Still hearing Gruden, which I know the Miami media isn’t feeling. (A bud told me the Palm Beach Post’s Jorge Milian said, “don’t believe that” and the Herald’s Manny Navarro mentioned Richt and Leach.)
I’ve heard Gruden from three different, in-the-know individuals – two close to the program and one with NFL ties – but in the wake of all that’s happened in the past few hours, no one knows. A ton of rumors running rampant, so take everything with a grain of salt.
Either way, a new era is officially underway.
A hearty thanks to Randy as he is orange and green through and through and best of luck to the UM’s top brass in making a solid hire that takes Miami football to the next level.
UPDATE: A statement from Randy Shannon on Sunday morning.
“I am proud of the last four years at the University of Miami and what we have been able to accomplish. I have a deep respect and appreciation for the young men who have played here during my tenure.
“We established three winning seasons; continually improved in the Atlantic Coast Conference over the last four years; brought in strong recruiting classes; and just as importantly, made tremendous strides off the field with our academic progress rate and graduation success rate among the best nationally.
“I believe that I leave the Hurricanes football program with a stronger foundation upon which they can continue to build. I thank President Shalala for the opportunity. Those that know my history know of my passion and dedication to the ‘U’, and only want success for this University moving forward.”
I pray that leach is NOT hired. His cheese Dick offense will not get our players ready for the NFL
As always, great perspective allcanes. I have to agree with you, it's time for change. I've always been a fan of Randy and I'll continue to support him where ever he ends up. I wanted nothing more than for a life long Cane to lead us back to glory, but he just wasn't cuttin the mustard. Best of luck to Randy. I have the utmost respect for him.
As far as the future is concerned, I agree that the brass at UM must have something already in the works to fire Randy so quickly. I'm hoping and praying that we get a solid coach. Lord knows we have the talent to make a serious run under the proper direction.
Go CANES
I have been a Cane since I was 13 years old that happened to be 1983. I followed the Canes through the good and the bad. I think losing to South Florida today has to be even lower then some of the 5 win seasons we went through. But I tell you it makes me sick to my stomach to look in the stands the past 2 weeks and see what this program has become. The players have no Heart and no since of urgency. I hate to see Randy go but I thought it would happen after a humiliating loss today.
I love Randy, but I love my Canes even more… I wanted him to be a 10-15 year coach here, and do feel for the way things ended. Even Coker got to coach his last game (which was a bowl game that he won)
My heart goes out to Shannon. The moment this became official all my frustration gave way to sympathy; celebrating the failure of a decent man would bring me no joy.
I am happy the University still cares. I am sorry Randy wasn't the one. He could have been a lifer but the deck was ultimately stacked against his lack of head coach experience it seems.
Any one raining venom on Randy is short-sighted. Randy may not have brought Miami back to the promised land, but he did rebuild the University into an entity that can once again entertain big names. When Coker was fired the talent cupboard was bare and the negativity surrounding the University was stifling. From the FIU fight to the Pata tragedy nobody wanted a part of the turmoil, particularly with no talent to work with.
Randy cleaned this program up and brought operable talent back to Coral Gabols. That places the University back into a relative position of strength when it comes to this next, and very crucial hire.
I thank Shannon for rolling up his sleeves and paving the way, even if that way wasn't as immediate as we had all hoped.
Randy is passing the torch but the torch is brighter for his efforts.
While I feel for Coach Shannon the right decision was made. I sincerly wanted to see Randy bring this program back to the top but he just wasn't getting it done. Should be an interesting few months between the bowl game, getting a coaching staff in place and trying to salvage the recruiting class. I'm seeing mutiple names thrown out. (Brent Venables, Mike Leach, Mark Richt and Gruden) I DO NOT want to see Leach running this program…the dude is a headcase. My vote is Gruden all the way.
Go Canes!
Thank god, let's get someone in here to win, and a defensive coach that'll put the d back on top. I thought when Mavre left it was time to see the program go down hill, not that he would save it, but co'on man, It's not High School anymore.Whipple was ok, he just didn't have the QB to run his o.
I've followed "The U since 1980, and this was as bad a 4 years as Cokers last 3..
So soon?
Couldn't they have just fired Larry Coker again?
Or blamed Mark Whipple some more?
The fans would knew RS wasn't the guy were proved right.
Right?
I love Coach Shannon. Great man, great father figure and a great Hurricane. I wish him the best of luck in the future. God bless sir
Who cares if you think his offense stinks, he wins games. Do your math about Mike Leach.
As a longtime 'Cane and alumnus, this is the saddest day I have ever experienced. I wanted nothing more than for Shannon to be the next Paterno, and I'm deeply saddened he didn't succeed. Anyone taking joy in Shannon's failure is not a true Hurricane. Anyone that wants to take issue with that statement… I'm right here.
If the administration does not already have a legitimate replacement, who is a proven winner, WITH TIES TO THE PROGRAM secured, this whole experiment is botched. Mike Leach is the worst idea for a coach I have ever heard. Right now the only legit options that come to mind are Richt, Tuberville and Mark Stoops. All of them are probably too expensive for us. I don't want to say it, but I'll bet things are going to get much worse from here. Thank you Randy, you are more of a Hurricane than 99% of our so-called fans will ever be.
Please God Someone Start A Anyone But Leach Website. MIKE LEACH is the WORST possible choice.
NO MIKE LEACH
NO MIKE LEACH
He is an offense only coach and Miami is a DEFENSE first school.
NO MIKE LEACH
NO MIKE LEACH
Also I don't know if you guys have had your head in the sand but Richt is to Miami what B. Arnold is the the U.S.A. Let Bobby's offensive coor go elsewhere. FSU had 5 straight with him as OC. Richt should be dead to us like Fredo to Michael.
Holy Crap if Richt is a candidate then how about Lou Holtz.
I want a defensive guru who can charm mothers and fathers alike and who can call forth brimstone like nobody else.
So. Who is going to be the next coach now? I like Oklahoma's D. But EVERYBODY is gone!! We need a new everything. Its gonna be sometime til August!
ZarOKoN
Thanks for the insight, I hope Randy Shannon is treated with the same respect we give all the former Canes players, He could save Rich Rod and be his D cord.
Good Luck Randy and thanks for the effort.As for the next coach I want an offensive guy.
Let's give Randy a big thanks for cleaning up the image of the program and setting the stage for a good coach to come in and have instant success. Make no mistake Randy is a great man and would have made the U great again but we could no longer afford the learning curve. We are right now fans ( mostly) and it's too painful to see this director or VP talented man try to be a CEO which is what you have to be to run a BIG time program. Effort and will to win didn't do him in but lack of experience did and it showed in every aspect from hiring to handling the media to game management.
If we could do it all over we should have hired a a high flier coach while Randy went to another had success as a head coach at another program and then he could have been our coach after the high flier moved on ..,, o well just a thought
Thanks Randy for the hard work I was hoping you got to that fifth year but you know the standards better than me and 7-5 won't ever be good enough at the U
A sad day for Miami. Three years ago we lose Sean Taylor and this year we fire someone we had hoped would be our head coach for a long time. Only time will tell if changing the head coach was the right move, but I don't think anyone wanted the Hurricanes to succeed more than Randy Shannon.
As much as I love the U and has bad as this season was I still think this guy deserved the benefit of the doubt for 1 more year. This guy loved the U more than anybody. We have seen a lot of subpar efforts the the players this year but our senior leadership was missing. Everyone knows that old quote about leaders being born. With the 2008 recruiting class becoming seniors next year some of them may step up to take that role. If we were not successful by 2011 then I felt we had the justification to fire Randy. Randy's player development skills came into question but the 2010 team will put out 3 potential 1st rounders: B. Harris, Hank and Bailey. (B. Harris is a junior but probably wont be staying since we fired his coach). That Sam Shields article in SI was just more of a player not being accountable for their own development. Not to say that Randy was completely faultless but youre gonna tell me shields never watched any film of himself at all? That is more than we had in some time. Mike Leach may have 4000 yard quarterbacks with 1000 yd receivers but all their pro careers have been busts. You think a kid out of high school isnt going to know that? Yeah I kicked around the idea of Gruden and possibly his brother coming to the U but the more I think about it the more I really dont think that can happen. Like your post stated yesterday, it's a pipe dream. Why? If you think about it, Gruden won a Super Bowl and had teams in contention consistently. With a rumored possible 5 nfl vacancies (1 of them being the phins) why would he coach a college team with a bunch of backstabbing fans? That's like asking Pat Riley to coach our basketball team. Mark Richt has lost 6 games with Georgia this year with one of them being the Gators which was beat by FSU. Do we want another school's leftovers?
People have a wish list of coaches out there but with bandwagon backstabbing malcontent fans, players with talent but are struggling to find their identity and budget of 1 mil as year when other coaches are making 3-5 do you possibly think we are gonna get candiates beating down the door to coach this team?
Good luck Randy Shannon. I'm sure you'll land a job somewhere soon.
I know that the top administration has the U has been targeted for not caring about football; so ok we fire Shannon and Whipple…which is ok with me…but who we target and get now MUST be a big name and proven winner. If we hire some crum bum assist coach or some HS coach that no one knows…we will be in the same boat.
I do blame them for one thing…if they cared about the program, why move to Dolphin Stadium? THe 40 minute trip for Gables is too much for a lot of youngsters. They made the mistake by not investing into the OB and keeping it a college atmosphere. I HATE Dolphin stadium as the home for the Canes. THis is a storied program now playing on the same home level as the Pitt Panthers. Just seems fake!
IN any case, I support a hiring of Gruden..lets hope the next hire is a big splash!
Wow, some crazy turn of events here these last few hours. My mind is spinning. I wish Randy all the best. Never want to see anyone lose their job. We all really wanted him to have success here. Just like you said Chris, he has been a Cane for so long. But I am more of a fan of this football team. And we just have not been winning. I don't know who the right man is for the job but I truely believe that Kirby and the Board will pick the right guy. They aren't going to mess around. I have faith in them. This certaintly solidifies the fact that this University will Not accept anymore multiply loss seasons. They want championships just as much as everyone! Let the search begin. We will Win Again! GO CANES!!!
Good luck Coach!
Now on with the new hire, here are a couple of other good coaches on the rise:
1 Stoops "Arizona"
2 Dan Mullins "Miss. State"
What do you think about these two Allcanes??
I wish nothing but the best for coach Shannon, and am deeply saddened by his firing..I feel like he did his utmost to try to get this program back to the level we as Cane fans expect, but just didnt have enough to get it done..Lord knows he had the talent, but for whatever reason, that talent has not shown up on a consistant basis..Let us also not forget that while we held coach Shannon accountable as fans, and constantly compared him to head coaches at other national powerhouses who have highly paid proven commodities as coaches, that this is Randy Shannons first head coaching gig ever!..He did not get to cut his teeth at some D-2 nobody school..He accepted a job at the most dominant college football program for well over the past quarter century. He wanted to be the guy when no one else did..He is MIAMI to his very soul, and has had a hand in 3 of Miamis 5 championships..Only Art Kehoe has had a hand in more..So for all you Randy haters out there, you have your wish..Hes gone..Was it the right move?..I think so..The program had to do something to right the ship..And when you lose at home on senior day in front of 26,000 fans for your 5th loss of the season in your 4th year as coach, I dont see how you survive it! My personal preference would be Jon Gruden..I have had a chance to watch him in Tampa, and feel he could really recruit his rear-end off down here in the talent rich South Florida..His offenses are very productive, and the only question would be on the defensive side of the ball..And thats the side that has always made The U what it is…..Farewell Coach Shannon..And thank you for your hard work, and more importantly, your dedication and loyalty to this program!
Anthony Chikillo (top DE recruit) said that he woke up to find over 50 calls/texts from other coaches this morning. He also said that he is going to look around, but that he would wait to see who is the next coach before he decides whether to come to the "U" or not. This underscored the importance of the next hire. Whoever it is needs to be able to keep these recruits and finish recruiting strong. Chikillo is a potential 3rd Generation Caen, so if he is wavering, how do you think the other recruits are taking this? If we don't bring in an established, BIG name, then we can kiss this year's recruiting class (which is already small) goodbye.
I like most of you, agree, it was definitely time for a change. You have to feel for the guy, he looked absolutely like a defeated man in the postgame presser. This will serve as a learning experience for wherever his next job may land. Godspeed Randy, you'll still always be a Cane in my eyes.
I've too applauded the School's decision when Shannon was hired back in early 2007. Like so many, I thought he was the man who can get the job done. But like so many I started to have serious doubts after the Florida State game, NOT only the way the team performed but the way the coach handled the situation ever since. Look, we all can agree he is a nice guy, who help kept players out of trouble and make them go to class. But it is obvious by now he was a lousy coach AND a lousy ambassador for this football program; with his dealings with the media. It was also obvious that he allienated some important powerbrokers of the university (whether it be a member of the Board of Trustees, or some boosters) which have put the program's donation drive, ticket sales and even some solid recruiting in serious jeopardy. Plus the fact he would rather play cupcake out-of-conference opponents (like USF who just beat our team's butt) for short-term gains, if he was in charge of scheduling team opponents. And be like Foley's Florida Gators football program.
The bottom line here is that he has to go. Now, I didn't like the way it turned out in the end, but the administration and the board did what was the RIGHT thing to do for "the U". And I applaud them for that (I hope that move will silence its critics who accuse them of "Not caring about winning football games".) Because if Shannon were to remain as head coach for another season, with the way he conduct business so far, things will only going to get much worse for the program. No "if's", "and's" or "buts" about it.
No Fighting Irish fan who is true to their football program wanted to see Charlie Weis go, back in 2009 when his job came into question, and he was a nice guy to a degree. But he too was a lousy coach and turned that program into irrelevant status. And Randy Shannon has become the next "Charlie Weis" for Miami. I wish Randy the best, wherever he may be.
Now I am excited about the future of my football program. And contrary to what the local critics may say, I think Kirby Hocutt [Athletic Director] is doing a one hell of a job; in his attempt to make "the U" a global, more powerful brand in all of college football. I believe he is the man who will take the football program to new heights like never before.
does anyone think he will still be with the program?
i think he would still be a great defense coordinator for miami.
Someone said that UM has traditionally always been a defense oriented school…which I would agree.
But what if we could step into the future and combine our defense legacy with a creative offensive mind? Someone who's teams have consistently placed in the Top 10 of scoring with leftovers? And atop of all that, is currently available, fishing with Jimmy Johnson out in the Keys and finishing up a book with Cane Bruce Feldman…..yes I am talking about Mike Leach.
He knows offense…just one example – in his single season at Oklahoma he took them from #101 to #8 in the nation in offensive scoring. Imagine what he could do with the talent available in South Florida!
So what if he is brash….so was Jimmy and look how that turned out for us!
Enough with this Leach nonsense.
The guys runs a great, albeit quirky offense. He's not head coaching material — whereas Jimmy Johnson obviously was.
If Leach is all that, how come he's been in the Keys all fall and NOT ONE OTHER SCHOOL has come calling?
He tanked at him interview in 2006 and if we thought Shannon lacked moxie and didn't know how to handle the media and be the face of a program, Leach is even worse.
No thanks.
Gruden or someone else who is a home run threat top to bottom.
Would I like Gruden…of course. But you have to be realistic….what appeal does UM have to someone of Gruden's caliber?
We can't pay him, we don't have the facilities nor do we have the large fan base of other schools…Plus with NFL head coaching opportunities opening up…why take a step backwards when the riches of the NFL come calling?
UM is a place that takes coaches to the next level…not brings them back.
And as far as the college level, we NEED someone with coaching experience…enough of this on the job training with Coker and Shannon. So what options do we have there? Richt, Paterson, Harbaugh, Schiano, Tubberville…ply Chris Peterson from Boise? Outside of Richt (who already has stated he's not interested in UM opeing)…it is going to be tough to lure one of those guys down to Coral Gables.
For my money, Leach and UM need each other.
Let's think..Coach "Chucky" would be the best fit but Miami can't afford him. Gonna take $3 mill to sign him. Board of regents would never approve that. Patterson from TCU would make sense. His defense would kick the ACC's butt outright! I would luv to see Peterson and the entire Boise State staff. They outcoach everybody with a just a higher degree of talent. But this Mike Leach bashing is ridiculous! Maybe you do get the offensive "Braniac" and proven winner, He also develops everybody! The guy waited 4th or 5th in line at the Texas recruiting table and pulled out of his pocket a #2 BCS ranking 2 years ago, and consistently won at Tech w/ marginal talent. His offense is unorthodox yet SMART & EFFICIENT! Remember, its not his job to get these kids to the NFL, talent does that! Yet the skills they learn under him are unmatched, just ask Patriots' Wes Welker and Mike Crabtree of the 49ers. His teams will put butts in seats on saturdays! He would coax the best available defensive coordnator to improve the Canes D. His defensive coordinator at Tech is the head man at East Carolina now, b/c Leach was the only one to offer him. And if u ever met Leach, hands down the smartest dude in da room. The UM brass will need to decide if they want a politician or a football coach. UM might want to do their due diligence on Leach b4 ruling him out; b/c they're so smart.
God bless RS and his family.