This is getting extremely aggravating. It’s Thursday and no one really has a clue what the hell Miami is doing. Other sites, local media, national publications… everyone is lost and has been for weeks. It started almost a month ago when everyone was screaming about Steve Spurrier being next in line for the gig and the chatter hasn’t stopped since.
I see no rhyme or reason here. Some online rumors talk about about a media frenzy at Hecht Athletic Center today regarding Randy Shannon and where he’s at in the interview process. A handful of folks are saying it’s his job to lose. Supposedly he’s killed it in the interview process and has some sort of a game plan for what he’ll do if given the opportunity.
The Mike Leach rumor seems all but dead. I haven’t heard a word about Leach in a few days. The event in NYC is over and with Miami’s top brass back at The U, I assume Leach is back in Lubbock.
Rich Rodriguez’s name has been thrown around non-stop today. Seems Alabama has made him in an offer, but wait, here comes Miami… a few days and several million dollars short. What’s the point of this? All this pissing and moaning about Miami’s athletic department being broke, yet Dee now wants to talk to a coach who will come with a salary just shy of $3M and a hefty $2M buyout?
If Miami had any real interest in Rodriguez, why wait until Thursday? I’ve read stories online for days now stating that he was interested. The Canes are mum on the subject and just when it looks like RR is Bama bound, now Miami wants to talk?
That seems backward, desperate and like some sort of smoke-screen – a faux attempt to go after the “big name” guy, but they’ll settle on someone else. It seems so Mickey Mouse.
According to ESPN, Miami is making their last ditch effort to bring Rodriguez to Coral Gables. RR has asked for Miami to put an offer on the table. He doesn’t want this to drag out. We’ll see if Miami plays ball. To me, it sounds like lip service, but the way this has all played out as of late, I wouldn’t be shocked to wake up Friday and see Rodriguez as our new head coach.
No new news regarding Mike Stoops today, which I find disheartening. What was Chuck Nienas brought on for if Dee and Donna Shalala aren’t seriously looking at and considering the guys he’s bringing to the table? Neinas endorsed the younger Stoops, yet it seems Miami remains fixated on talking to Shannon.
What happened with Steve Kragthope and Gary Patterson? Did they say “thanks, but no thanks” or did Miami fail to even meet with them?
I responded to some message board posts yesterday, reminding our fan base to be patient. The natives were getting restless and I felt everyone needed to calm down.
24 hours later and now I’m ready to strangle someone. Why does it seem everyone else landed their guys in such a pain-free manner? Butch Davis to UNC. Mark Dantonio to Michigan State. Gene Chizik to Iowa State. Tom O’Brien to NC State. Alabama jumped all over Rodriguez with a quickness and though they entered the game the latest, I wouldn’t be shocked if Stanford replaces Walt Harris in under a week.
Why has Miami backed off Leach? Why am I the only guy on the younger Stoops bandwagon? What’s the point of talking to Rodriguez this late in the game? Is it really Shannon’s job to lose? Did anyone else really stand a chance anyways?
Unless the Canes pull something out of their hat here, it looks like this hiring will be one based on fear and Shannon will get the gig. Fear of losing a long-time assistant with South Florida recruiting ties. Fear of passing over a minority candidate. Fear of losing other big time assistants like Mario Cristobal if Shannon flies the coup. Fear to pay a big name guy the big bucks. Fear regarding trusting Neinas and his findings.
The Miami athletic department again looks like their in disarray.
It’s your move, Dee. Your track record has been spotty these past few years. This hire needs to be something special. Don’t take the easy way out. Come on now. This program has wasted more money the past few years than you’ll pay any candidate on the radar. Get the right guy. Miami just suffered through the Larry Coker era. Make a big time hire not based on money or seniority. Look at all the guys before you and make something special happen already.
I won’t even begin to dwell on where Miami is at with a sub par hire. Why even go there now when I’ll have the early part of 2007 to do nothing more than piss and moan?
.:Canes305:.