ACC crown or Shannon gets the boot?

I’ve been reading some of the comments on the blog here, as well as some other message boards and sites with Canes-themed articles.

The general consensus regarding a successful season? Randy Shannon and his Hurricanes not just getting to the ACC title game, but winning it and reaching a BCS games.

As a long-time Cane, I can appreciate the high expectations, but the ‘all or nothing’ mentality is bogus.

Miami went 9-4 in 2009 and even a 10-2 regular season wouldn’t have gotten the Canes to Tampa for the conference title games. Georgia Tech lost one ACC game last season – to Miami – and with losses to Virginia Tech and Clemson, the Canes were technically out of the conference race by late October.

For all the knocks against the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Coastal Division proved competitive last year, with little margin for error. Should that again be the case in 2010, how can a fanbase run a coach out of town should he improve the program four a third straight season, should he not deliver a conference crown?

In 2008, Virginia Tech made the ACC title game with a 8-4 record (5-3 in conference). There was more margin for error that season, but Shannon’s Canes went 7-6 (4-4 in conference), beating the Hokies in mid-November. A year prior, Miami stumbled to 2-6 in conference (5-7 overall) while Virginia Tech rolled to a 7-1 conference record and ACC championship.

The last two seasons UM knocked off the eventual ACC champ, but stumbled along the way and was out of the race by late November. Little solace at the end of the day, but a step in the right direction.

Even more puzzling than the ‘win or go home’ mentality, where does this sense of entitlement come from regarding just piling up ACC titles left and right?

In their hey day, Florida State racked up eleven ACC titles in thirteen seasons (1992-2003). Over the past six seasons, one title – after a 7-4 regular season and upset of Virginia Tech in the inaugural ACC Championship game.

If the once conference dominant Seminoles have lost ground in the ACC, why is it so hard to accept the fact the Hurricanes don’t have the right to simply “expect” conference titles?

– Georgia Tech won the ACC in 2009, their first conference title since 1998.

– For all the recruiting hype and high preseason rankings over the years, Clemson hasn’t won the ACC since 1991.

– Wake Forest surprised with a conference championship in 2006 – their second in school history and first since 1970.

– Virginia split the 1995 title with Florida State, their first since 1989 and second overall.

– North Carolina hasn’t won the ACC since 1980, even with all the recent Butch Davis hype. NC State hasn’t won since 1979.

– Maryland won it in 2001, their first since 1985. Duke took home the 1989 crown, their first since 1962.

– Virginia Tech is the surprise, bringing home three ACC championships since joining the conference in 2004. Many expected Miami to have the impact Tech has, but as fate would have it the Canes joined their new conference just as the then Coker-led program was beginning to backslide.

Winning the ACC should be Miami’s goal at the beginning of every season. Absolutely. You have to win your conference before you can start thinking about national championships. Year four of the Shannon Era, getting to the ACC title game is a plausible goal. The talent is returning, the conference schedule is favorable (Florida State, Virginia Tech and North Carolina at home) and the ACC has proven it’s fair game the past few seasons.

That being said, it’s not how you measure the progress of a Shannon-led team.

Miami was run off the field by several squads in 2007, Randy’s first season. 51-13 at Oklahoma. The 48-0 beatdown by Virginia in the Orange Bowl finale. Railroaded 44-14 at Virginia Tech a week later. Embarrassing losses where the Canes were outcoached, outtalented, outmotivated and were never in the game.

A year later, no real signature win but the Canes showed more grit, starting with a dogfight at No. 3 Florida which lasted three quarters before UM was taken down. A defensive collapse and stagnant offense did Miami in weeks later in a heartbreaker against North Carolina. A slow start against Florida State was the difference in a 41-39 loss. The Canes strung together five straight wins, with a shot at the ACC, but got worked at Georgia Tech and lost the following week at NC State.

Year three wrapped up 9-4 and many were miffed with the bowl loss to Wisconsin, forgetting about the progress made in 2009. A strong start at Florida State was impressive, no matter where the Noles ended the season. Ten days later a thorough thumping of Georgia Tech. Early October a win over No. 8 Oklahoma, a week after losing at Virginia Tech.

The Canes proved they could bounce back in ’09. Lesser teams would’ve folded after the loss in Blacksburg. Miami circled the wagons and went toe-to-toe with a good, albeit injured, Sooner team.

Turnovers did Miami in against Clemson and North Carolina. You’re not going to win football games with seven interceptions and three pick sixes over eight quarters. Still, the Canes closed strong with November wins over Virginia, Duke and South Florida. 3-1 down the stretch was improvement over a 2-2 final month run in ’08 and 0-4 skid in ’07.

Entering the 2010 season, logic needs to prevail… which is proving difficult as the Canes’ skid is running over half a decade now. The natives are restless – and understandably so. Still, it’s not the 1980s and this entitled mindset or cliche sayings (“we only play for national championships at Miami”, etc.) – it has to go.

Fans need to accept this program for what it is and it’s time you take note of the current landscape in college football – a game with much more parity now than ever. How else do you explain the success of a Boise State, TCU, Utah, Cincinnati or another flavor of the year? Smaller schools have become more competitive and money plays a huge factor.

While other programs continue to upgrade facilities, overpay coaches and put their focus on creating another football factory, the University of Miami – a private institution – continues to have to negotiate a different terrain en route to achieving success.

“UM has long struggled to pay coaches because of limited resources,” said the Sun Sentinel’s Shandel Richardson. Miami’s top brass says they support Shannon, but still haven’t broken open the checkbook. Virginia’s new coach Mike London will reel in $1.7M this coming season and first-year Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher will earn $1.8M.

There’s a ton of talk surrounding Shannon’s 21-7 record – 9-4 in his last thirteen games after going 12-13 years one and two. Whatever the record, it’s still better than 0-0, which is where London and Fisher are combined, yet making more than Shannon. Same to be said for Derek Dooley, the new Tennessee leader who will earn upwards of $2M this coming season. Not only are all three higher paid with less experience, but they’re all believed to be making more than Shannon has even been offered.

Shannon has three years on the job and has improved his record annually. His first two recruiting hauls were impressive, but some have knocked the under-the-radar types that were brought on board year four. Some feel the lack of a contract hurt recruiting efforts down the stretch.

“A lot of times kids will say it’s coaching stability,” Rivals.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg said. “I could see how it could become an issue.”

Kirby Hocutt and Donna Shalala, pay the man already as the lack of a signed contract is going to inevitably hurt the program. Don’t ink a Paul Dee-like extension akin to the one Coker received prior to the 2005 season, but do something to send a message to recruits that you believe in your guy. You can’t talk out of both sides of your mouth, verbally supporting Shannon in the media, but being sticklers behind closed doors.

Those of you anti-Randy, what are your thoughts on the contract? Furthermore, defend your “ACC crown or bust” stance should Miami improve to a 10-2 regular season, yet possibly getting snubbed from a shot at a conference title.

Lastly, for those of you ready to run Randy off, enlighten us with your plausible game plan. Who is your replacement? What should he be paid? Why will he be a better fit and how long should it take him to turn it around? Some of you balk at a five-year rebuild for a head coach who inherited a dog of a team. What’s your take on a timetable for Shannon’s replacement?

Comments

comments

25 thoughts on “ACC crown or Shannon gets the boot?

  1. I'm a Randy supporter. Too many crazies expect JJ to coach vicariously through Randy, the Canes to all of a sudden be insta-champs. Randy is a first time head coach and he is growing. I saw considerable maturity this year in his coaching. I love this guy. Ink him for 5. Take good care of him. Go Canes!!

  2. I like your article and your support to Shannon. I for one don't agree with the headline.
    "ACC crown or Shannon gets the boot?"
    But it is time to win the ACC!
    Vtech's success is directly attributable to the stability of their Coach (Beemer)and the Top Notch program he runs. I agree Pay Randy his money and keep him locked in for the foreseeable future.
    I just have one complaint about Randy. I want to see some emotion out of him. Get fired up and Fire Up the Boys!And make them
    Out Hustle! Out Work!! and Out hit!!! The opposition the ACC Title and other accolades will work themselves out.

  3. latwan anderson is a cane! RANDY HAS TO GET RESIGNED TO THIS PROGRAM! HE HAS DONE NOTHING BUT GOOD AND HAS WORKED THROUGH HIS PROGRESSIONS. I BELIEVE IN WHAT HES DOING, LETS SUPPORT OUR COACH!

  4. I've lowered my expectations to make the ACCCG this year.

    We have to start making it a habit to be in that game each year.

    As to the question of who takes over if Coach Shannon is fired that question should be asked if it happens and we see who is available at that time. Previously I thought Tuberville would be good but he's no longer available. I've heard names like Sumlin or Dana Holgerosen(sp).

    UM football is not like UNC or VT or any other conf brethren except maybe FSU. UNCs, VTs, GTs etc strive for conf championships as an end whereas I believe UM should look at conf champs as a means to an end with the end being a chance to play for MNC.

    It's different at UM and that's one of the reasons I'm a fan.

  5. I get that this is a 5-year project for Randy, and yes, UM needs to sign him to an extesion NOW. Regardless of how we do in 2010, I know he'll be around after this season – and he should be. And I don't expect an ACC crown/NC run each year, however….

    There is no reason, minus a key injury (Harris), the Canes shouldn't WIN the ACC and/or make a BCS game. Our kids are older, and we have depth. While inking Larry Coker was a huge mistake, Larry himself did say something that made a lot of sense. After the 2001 BC game, Larry told the team that sometimes great teams will have games like that, and that they need to WIN games like that in order to be champions. How right he was.

    Miami needs to prove, this year, that they can stay in those close games and win. They were able to do this a couple times last year, but fizzled in others. Based on where we are as a team, Miami needs to WIN the ACC title this year and/or make a BCS game. If this does not happen, Randy's seat needs to be hot.

    It's not that Randy can't recruit, he can. I do have concerns about player development, however. Again, with Whip and co. we'll see how the young guys have developed into this year.

    Let's assume Randy is fired after the 2011 or 2012 season…replacements? Too early to tell and I'm praying we won't have to discuss that, and obviously money will come into the picture.

    And while there is more parity in today's game, the hype over teams like Cincinnati and Boise St. are beyond rediculous. Neither team plays ANYONE worth mentioning. Cincy plays a horrible schedule to make a BCS game…they play a good UF team, and what happens? Boise St. plays a horrible schedule, and yes, they can play with the big boys during a BCS game. But they have not proven they can hang with consistently good opponents during the season week in and week out. Sure, they play VT in 2010, but what a bunch of crap. They only agreed to play them to OPEN the season, when they are at full strength (minus some opening season rust). They never would have agreed to play them mid season. Bank on it.

    I want Randy, more than any other UM coach, to win a NC. What a story that would be.

    However, as much as we all love Randy (because he IS Miami), if he can't get this team over the hump within the next two years, it's time for a change.

    An ACC title/BCS game is my expectation for 2010. If it doesn't happen, Randy needs to start worrying.

  6. A true rebuild takes 5/6 years from scratch… 1st 4 years are building the foundation and 5th and 6th years are building a solid 3rd tier depths cosisting of redshirt Juniors.

    Randy has proven already we have turned the corner in 3 tears, with 9 wins. Many people in sports newscasting and writers thought it couldn't be done, expecting us to go 7/5 again. Given the schedule and the majority of sophomores we had in 09…

    Randy is Canes Football… Get over it!

    Cat5

  7. We expect conference titles, and justifiably so, because we are the U.

    We are not Georgia Tech, Clemson, Wake Forest, Virginia, North Carolina, NC State, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Florida State, or Duke.

    As a Miami Hurricane, I completely reject this statement:
    “It's not the 1980s and this entitled mindset or cliche sayings ("we only play for national championships at Miami", etc.) – it has to go. Fans need to accept this program for what it is and it's time you take note of the current landscape in college football – a game with much more parity now than ever.”

    We are the U.

    In case anyone forgets, from 2001 – 2002, we only lost a single game , and that one, by a HORRIBLE call. Saying that “it’s not the 1980’s” anymore, insinuates that our success was only contained within one decade, and that is false. The 1980’s was the decade that we arrived on the scene, but we have been the dominating force outside of that decade. For instance the 2001 team was arguably the GREATEST college football team to ever play ball on a Saturday.

    You argue that the entitled mindset and cliché saying needs to go, but Randy Shannon embraces it.

    On Shannon’s Hurricanesports.com bio page, this quote from him is included:
    “Being at Miami, the expectations are always high. Players come to Miami because they know they will always have an opportunity to win the National Championship. If you settle for less, you’re going to become less. We’re going to have a lot of fun. And we’re going to win.”

    I am not arguing that Shannon should be gone if we do not win the ACC title this year, but I think you are selling MIAMI short if you are arguing that we shouldn't expect to win ACC titles this year and every year. And have a National Championship as our goal, this year and every year.

    A couple of questions for everyone who doubts the “Manifest Destiny” of the University of Miami….

    Who holds the record for the longest home winning streak in NCAA history with 58 straight victories?

    MIAMI.

    Who holds the NFL record for most first round selections in a single draft?

    MIAMI.

    Who holds the NFL record for most consecutive drafts with at least one first round selection?

    MIAMI.

    Who has snapped four streaks of 20 games or more by other schools in its history?

    MIAMI. (The only other school to snap four winning streaks of 20 or more games is Princeton. And we know they don't count because they don't play with the big boys)

    Who, after joining the BIG EAST Conference in 1991, posted a league-best 66-10 (.868) league record and won seven BIG EAST championships?

    MIAMI. (This included a 35-4 mark in the Orange Bowl and 32-6 on the road)

    From 1980 to the Present, what team has had, BY FAR, the highest winning percentage in all of football and have had, BY FAR, the most national championships?

    MIAMI.

    What team, as an Independent, would only schedule the toughest opponents year in and year out, beating teams like Florida, FSU, Notre Dame, Michigan, and Oklahoma?

    MIAMI.

    Who defined the mantra, "Any team, any place, any time" while the Florida Gators cower away from real opponents?

    MIAMI.

    Who has the NCAA record for largest margin of victory over consecutive ranked teams?

    MIAMI (124-7, in 2001)

    What undefeated team scored 512 (42.6 points per game) points while yielding only 117 (9.75 points allowed per game), beating opponents by an average of 32.9 points per game, and is considered by experts and historians to be one of the greatest college football teams in college football history ?

    MIAMI (2001)

    What school has a winning record against all of the other schools in Florida, including 32-23 against Florida State, 28-25 against Florida, 2-0 against USF, 2-0 against UCF, 2-0 against FIU, and 8-0 against FAMU?

    MIAMI.

    What small, private university matches the amount of national championships of all the schools in Florida combined with 5?

    MIAMI.

  8. The guy has improved the program period. The improvement in the past 3 years has been gradual and done in the right way. No off field problems and kids are graduating and are contributing to the community. And they are starting to win. The program is doing nothing but moving in the right direction. Extend his contract and move on. I can't help but think that these people who want to fire Shannon either are stupid, racist or Noles or Gators fans…

  9. I guess I'm anti-Randy, probably because he leaves a lot to be desired. I'll give this a shot though

    What I want for 2010:
    1.) The team to show up for every game prepared.

    2.) The team to stop playing down to competition

    3.) Stop wasting Time Outs

    4.) Please have some organization on the sidelines

    5.) Give Berry the rock

    6.) Killer instinct – Put teams away, I'm not saying beat teams by 40 and keep the starters in, I'm saying leave zero doubt and punish teams. If any team we play has the chance to crush us, they absolutely will. (See GT, FAMU, UCF, USF game)

    7.) Last and most importantly…. BEAT BUTCH DAVIS. Losing to this team is unacceptable

  10. Randy's the SH!T, let haters hate. We got a great HC & team, the U is BACK!!! but not a huge fan of Whipple!? Go Canes!

  11. Good points Let's Get Six. I guess I don't get why one has to be "anti-Randy" simply because the now fourth-year coach "leaves a lot to be desired". Entering year four he's improved the program annually and he's getting better as a coach, leader and figurehead for the program. To your points:

    1.) The team to show up for every game prepared.

    … a novel concept, but c'mon now, nobody is fully prepared every week. Teams come out flat, which is how you get so many upsets every season.

    Miami didn't come out flat against Virginia Tech. They just got whooped. They came out flat against Wake Forest, yet stole a win and played with grit down the stretch.

    Showing up prepared is key, but finish.

    2.) The team to stop playing down to competition.

    Again, a trait of many Miami teams over the years. Think back over the years. Losing at BYU in 1990… falling to East Carolina in 1996 and 1999… almost losing to Boston College in 2001… losing in the 4th quarter at Rutgers in '02 before turning it around… losing to a sub par Tennessee team in 2003… Clemson in 2004… Georgia Tech in 2005.

    Good teams play down to their competition weekly. Miami needs to work on that – but who doesn't? Florida. Alabama. Texas. They all had some close calls last year.

    3.) Stop wasting Time Outs

    No argument here.

    One caveat, though. For all those who are anti-Randy, yet adore Butch Davis, remember some of his timeout debacles. (Funny how revisionist history has some fans believing Davis was the second coming of JJ.)

    1996. Virginia Tech at Miami. 7-7 in final minutes of second quarter. Canes driving. Fourth down and the question of field goal or going for it is debated between Davis and Ryan Clement on sideline.

    Coach arguing with player while clock is ticking. Delay Of Game penalty. Ball moved back, field goal missed. No points.

    Driving late in the game, down 14-7, Tony Gaiter drops potential game tying score in end zone. Would've been game winner if Miami at least got seven before half.

    A player later Keion Carpenter picks it off, going 101 yards. Hokies win 21-7.

    Shannon is shredded for the Cal game, but everyone forgets Butch's even bigger blunder.

    4.) Please have some organization on the sidelines.

    5.) Give Berry the rock

    Looks like Berry will be the starter this year, so you'll get your wish. That said, we also haven't seen Storm Johnson, Lamar Miller or Mike James at running back, so I still say give the rock to the most deserving back.

  12. …. (continued)

    6.) Killer instinct – Put teams away, I'm not saying beat teams by 40 and keep the starters in, I'm saying leave zero doubt and punish teams. If any team we play has the chance to crush us, they absolutely will. (See GT, FAMU, UCF, USF game)

    We've wanted that for years, but when have we really had it in recent memory. 2000-2002 Miami didn't do that, as dominant as they were.

    Occasionally, sure (Penn State '01, Washington '01, Rose Bowl, Florida '02, etc.) but there were a lot of times good or even GREAT Miami teams let lesser foes hang around.

    As for 'crushing' other teams, I don't think that's necessary. When Miami did that in the 80s, it was a statement against the establishment, when a statement was needed. Doing that now… there's really no place for it from a sportsmanship standpoint.

    If you're crushing a team, get out of there healthy and call it a day. As fun as 58-7 was with Notre Dame, there was no sports media outcry back then and the Internet didn't exist. Pull that shit today and you're going to be crucified… especially if you're the program who wrote the book 20 years ago.

    The 2001 approach is what's needed. All business. Have more talent than the other guy, follow instruction, get the win and get ready for next week. Save all that bravado for the old days.

    LaRon Byrd may wear Mike Irvin's number forty-seven, but he came to Miami to be the next Andre Johnson – quiet, soft-spoken, out to get his job done and be the best.

    That brash stuff makes for a fun ESPN documentary, but 'swagger' doesn't equal wins.

    7.) Last and most importantly…. BEAT BUTCH DAVIS. Losing to this team is unacceptable.

    … agreed, though Butch has gotten the lucky breaks in this three-game series. (Made his breaks, too… but the football gods have been on his side.)

    Jumping out to an uncharacteristic 27-0 halftime lead in 2007 and almost blowing it… bailed out by four Kyle Wright interceptions.

    Capitalizing on an unaggressive Patrick Nix in 2008, trying to bleed the clock and blowing a late 24-14 lead. (Potential game-winner from Marve to Farquharson is two inches too high.)

    Four Harris interceptions and two pick sixes in last year's topsy turvy loss.

    Randy is due and the game is in Miami, where the Canes have usually held court against the Heels. (That '08 loss still burns. Was totally in the bag.)

  13. BZCANES here-

    I'm a big Randy fan, and have to admit I'm biased.
    I love the fact he was a player, a long time assistant, and is from the Miami area.

    He has many areas where he needs to improve…as most coaches with 3 years of experience do.

    One thing I agree on is the killer instint. There is a fine line in being classy and putting an opponent away. I think he needs to worry less about feelings, and more about stepping on throats.

    That said…he's the guy for the job!
    Number 1….the answer to who we'd rather have…….well I don't have one.

    Shannon will not leave Miami if/when we start reeling off con champs and a few national titles.

    I think about what the program could've been if Butch stayed. It's anyone's guess, but a couple of more titles would've definitely been attainable.

    Having a coach that will not only build the program, but will stay for the longhaul and help build a dynasty is important.
    If Randy can get us there…I just can't see him leaving for greener pastures.

    2. He's proven he can recruit.
    This year's class keeps getting better by the day, and his first 2 classes were phenomonal considering the prior season performances.

    3. He's doing things the right way. I'm thrilled I don't have to check the headlines everyday to make sure our players aren't getting into trouble.
    Hell, I don't ever think about that anymore.
    Many diehards call the 01 championship team their favorite simply because it was composed of a bunch of 'good guys'–at least guys that stayed out of trouble.

    When you look at other programs and the trouble they have had over the last 3 years then you can't do anything but praise Shannon for running a tight ship. Not only are we not getting into trouble…but we're excelling academically as well.

    He needs to win, and win soon.
    But Shannon meets every requirement in my mind. He'll get better with the game day tactics as he learns. He's gotten better each year, and the team has gotten much better.

    I think this is our year to get back to prominence and have for 3 years.

    I only ask that if that happens…the same amount of people credit Shannon as have picked him apart.

  14. It is hard for me to imagine that people are actually wanting to see RS fired. What?! Each year there is an improvement…. record getting better, decision making getting better, recruiting has been strong… the program before he became head coach was in shambles and just plain pathetic. I think he has done a great job with what he walked into. We have to keep him, lets all face it… HE IS THE U, I can't imagine seeing him go and replace him with WHO?

  15. I personally think it's an insult for Shannon to be going into the last year of his contract with nothing done one way or the other. No other university would have let it get to this stage. We all know the contracts aren't worth the paper they are written on, so sign him to good deal both in price and length, and add in a respectable buyout if things don't work out. How in the hell do you let your head football coach get to the last year of his contract? You don't. The Shannon haters won't like him no matter what happens with the team, so who cares. I just think something should have been done prior to this year and I fault the AD. This fact is already being used against Miami in recruiting and until something is done one way or the other, it will get worse and worse. Get the deal done!!!!! He deserves to finish what he has started. Give him at least 3 more years.

  16. UM has offered Randy several contracts. They wanted to negotiate before last season started and Randy said No. Those are facts. If Randy wants to hold out for more money, thats on him. He needs to deal with the disadvantage in recruiting. Although I think thats just an excuse, when you think about the fact that Urban may never coach again, and he pulled in the best class in the country.

    Why should UM break the bank now? Its not like any big time program is going to swoop in and offer Randy the HC position. Also, at this point, might as well just wait to see how this year turns out. Why give him a big contract and then see the team go 7-5. Can you say Larry Coker??

    I think that UM is doing exactly what an institution that doesn't have alot of money should do, wait and see. If Randy is the real deal, he'll get his money.

  17. UM has offered Randy several contracts. They wanted to negotiate before last season started and Randy said No. Those are facts. If Randy wants to hold out for more money, thats on him. He needs to deal with the disadvantage in recruiting. Although I think thats just an excuse, when you think about the fact that Urban may never coach again, and he pulled in the best class in the country.

    – Randy was 1000% right to not sign a new contract before 2009. After two years he was 12-13 and felt that year three there'd be improvement. There was. 9-4 gave him more bargaining power than 7-6.

    – Urban retired one day and was back the next. Florida also won two titles since 2006 and is one of the biggest names in college football right now. A much easier recruiting pitch than selling Miami right now. If you can't see that, you're blind.

    Why should UM break the bank now? Its not like any big time program is going to swoop in and offer Randy the HC position. Also, at this point, might as well just wait to see how this year turns out. Why give him a big contract and then see the team go 7-5. Can you say Larry Coker??

    – Paying Shannon $2M isn't exactly "breaking the bank". Please. Tennessee's new coach is making that with no experience. UVA's new coach is making $1.7M. Fisher at FSU is making $1.8M — all three making more than Randy is entering year four.

    You don't need to give Shannon a big contract right now, a la Dee with Coker, who went 9-3 after signing his new deal in 2005.

    UM's top brass is hurting itself and the program by holding out over a few hundred thousand dollars. They are ready to 'reward' Shannon and to re-sign him, they're simply stingy with the amount they want to fork over. No one at UM is trying to wait it out, as you suggest. They just don't want to cough up $2M a year.

    Waiting to see how the year turns out is disastrous for Miami football – a program that has done most of its recruiting (under Shannon) during the regular season. The Canes had almost two dozen verbals before last season was over.

    Not signing Shannon immediately is going to hurt recruiting and inevitably will hurt the program. Give the man a deal already.

    I think that UM is doing exactly what an institution that doesn't have alot of money should do, wait and see. If Randy is the real deal, he'll get his money.

  18. Randy Shannon is not head coach material. I will say this again "He's NOT!!! His specialty has always been working as a Defensive Coordinator. Since Shannon took over as head coach miami has failed to improve in 3 key areas that contribute to winning football games!

    1.)Managing Timeouts – How can you come from behind when you have continuously ran out of timeouts against top rank teams????

    There were several key games miami was out of all timeouts prior to the end of the 3rd qtr and early in the 4th qtr!

    2.) Penalties – If you compare miami under Shannon against previous teams this team just really blows! Numerous times when miami was coming from behind players just continually committed penalties that killed miami!

    3.) Key decision Making – If the running game is bout to get you into the endzone and your passing game is struggling, why in the hell would you pass the ball????? Duhhhhhhhhhh

    If you know your offensive line is failing time and time again in protecting the quarter back why not call a screen pass??? Helllo duhhhh…… How many times did this happen this year?? ALOT!!!

    In Conclusion,

    If I was President Shalala, I would tell Shannon "thanks for your support and wish you and your family the best but Miami Hurricanes are going in a new direction!"

    Shannon, I got love for you but, you got to go!

  19. If we are asking Randy to really step it up as coach, then it's only fair that as fans and supporters of this team we step it up ourselves. We should at least have 50 to 60K at each game this year. Hell FSU has been in crapper the past couple of years also and they have and can consistently draw that! That's why they can have a bad year and still get 5 star recruits. How is this going to look at the home opener when we possibly put forth our best team in the past 5 or 6 years and there's only 30K in the stands? How is this going to look for future recruiting? It will tell them to not come to Miami because their fans are bunch front runners!
    We need to see the big picture with Randy. The record of the team has improved every year and there has not been any embarrassing off the field incidents involving any Shannon coached team. when you read the papers and blogs you see controversies surrounding players from Oregon, USC and Florida but NOT the U! I say Randy is good for this school and this program!

  20. I like your article and your support to Shannon. I for one don't agree with the headline.
    "ACC crown or Shannon gets the boot?"
    But it is time to win the ACC!

    The point of the headline – posed as a question – was in regards to the portion of this fan base who feels it's "ACC title or bust" this year for Shannon.

    As my article points out, the man could go 11-2 in the regular season this year and not make the title game, which would've been the case last year, as Georgia Tech was a one-loss conference team.

    Yes, it's "time" to win the ACC. Miami had a legit shot to win it in 2004 and 2005, choking both away and fell off the map 2006-2008 in rebuild mode. It was within reach last year, but it'd have taken an 11-1 regular season to do so, which didn't happen.

  21. Randy should get a contract, he represents class like jimmie johnson.

    Jimmie Johnson is a racecar driver.

    Jimmy Johnson was Miami's old coach.

    As much as I loved JJ as UM's head guy, I don't think "class" would be the first word most used to describe him.

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