Bill Young, we hardly knew ye…

Yesterday it was a rumor. Today it’s official. Bill Young is headed back to the Midwest. Alma mater Oklahoma State came calling, ponied up big money and lured their native son back home. 

This is obviously a big blow for the University of Miami. Not because Young is irreplaceable, but because of the timing. Head coach Randy Shannon is already knee-deep in his hunt for a new offensive coordinator, while trying to lock down another top-flight recruiting class.

While the OC search is rumored to be over (word is a new coach will be announced Wednesday morning) a new search begins. Where will Shannon turn regarding his replacement for Young? Some are conveniently pointing to Georgia’s Willie Martinez, as he has UM ties. Others say former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville will on some level offer his services to the Canes, citing his friendship with Shannon. Whether either holds water, we’ll see. Both sound like nothing more than Internet rumors.

Regarding Young, on one level the move is understandable. It’s also a head-scratcher, as well. The desire to head back home makes sense, though it doesn’t necessarily mesh with Young’s comments when taking the Miami job last year this time.

The then 61-year old talked about retirement and riding into the sunset with his wife in South Florida. He also cited a desire to win a national championship and coach high profile athletes like those Shannon is bringing to Coral Gables.  

Money is obviously a factor, with Young reportedly clocking in somewhere around the $700,000 range. Whether that’s true or false, with T. Boone Pickens writing the checks one have to assume it was a healthy pay bump for the veteran coordinator.

As frustrating as the timing is the fact that Young never got to plant his feet and truly have an impact on Miami’s defense. His one-year tenure was watered down as the Canes lacked the necessary overall defensive talent to implement Young’s system. 2009 looked to be a year where change would be a bit more obvious as Miami will suit up more talent in the secondary and linebacking corps.

At this point it truly is hard to tell how much of a loss this is for the Canes. Young’s run defense was eaten alive down the stretch and the secondary struggled to create turnovers. Miami’s D looked great at Florida, but definitely showed some chinks in the armor as the season went on. How much of that was due to talent versus coaching, it is unknown and with Young gone next year, there’s no way to gauge any improvement.

Unfortunately this situation gives more ammunition to the Shannon haters, even though it shouldn’t. This opportunity was simply the perfect storm for Young. Big money. Alma mater. A chance to go back home. At 62 years old and no head coaching experience, Young is a perennial number two guy. Miami was a good opportunity, but for the OSU alum this is truly his dream scenario and perfect job.

This has nothing to do with Shannon or what Miami was willing to pay. The U broke open the bank last year to lure in Young and he was fairly compensated. As unfair as it seems, this is simply another stroke of bad luck for a program that’s had its fair share the past few seasons.

The announcement of the offensive coordinator will now bittersweet on some level as the job is only half done. Shannon will have to get on the case and lure in a solid defensive mind to take over where Young left off.

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