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?
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View Comments
sign randy now
http://www.petitiononline.com/signrs
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!!
Randy should get a contract, he represents class like jimmie johnson.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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
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.
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...