The Miami Hurricanes have been coach-less for just over a week and the natives remain restless.
Even worse, folks qualified to give nothing more than an opinion absolutely feel they have the solution, throwing random names at the wall and rattling off how ‘the list’ doesn’t excite them.
Take a breath, people. Think about what’s taking place here. The University of Miami, arguably the most successful football “franchise” the past three decades, is at a program-defining crossroads. The right hire can end seven seasons of mediocrity while bringing the wrong guy on board could do UM in for good. This isn’t something to take lightly.
Rome wasn’t built in a day and a quality hire won’t be made to appease the masses – no matter how many high schoolers choose to ‘decommit’ in the process.
Signing Day is two months out and bet your ass that if Miami reels in a home run hire, those who supposedly ‘walked away’ will come running back – and yes, that’s in quotes because you can’t miss what you never had and a verbal commitment doesn’t mean squat.
As we see every off-season, high schoolers change their mind on a dime and some were bound to flip flop regardless of Miami’s current coaching situation. Exercise some patience, let things play out and let’s see where these “decommits” are come February.
If many knee-jerk folk had their way, the out-of-work, not in demand and self-promoting Mike Leach would’ve been hired late last week. But when the dust settled, fans would eventually realize they settled for Mr. Right Now and not Mr. Right, simply out of fear and a lack of faith in the process.
The reaction is understandable as we live in a ‘now’ society and patience is no longer a virtue. Fans feel left at the altar by Jon Gruden and are sweating out the recruiting process, ready to jump on the next warm body and building a case for the one-dimensional Leach.
Anyone truly on board with The Pirate, check yourself. Yes, there was the impressive, yet uncharacteristic 11-2 season a few years back, but outside of that you’re talking about a coach who hovered between four and six losses a year for over a decade.
You’re quick to cite his upset for top-ranked Texas, but just as soon ignore that he went 1-2 to close his ‘legendary’ season, suffering a 65-21 beatdown at the hands of No. 5 Oklahoma and a 47-34 loss to No. 25 Ole Miss in the Cotton Bowl.
Leach is more Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde than he is a buccaneer; one week rolling heads and the next, getting rolled.
At day’s end, Leach ran an exciting offense at Texas Tech but headed up a middle of the road Big XII squad that was pass-heavy, run-vacant and focused more on outscoring opponents than playing hard-nosed defense.
What about that recipe is reminiscent of the brand of football that Miami plays? Pounding the rock and playing hard-nosed defense are UM staples and wouldn’t be part of Leach’s blueprint.
In time, this winter fling will prove to be nothing more than puppy love and infatuation, completely forgotten when Miami finds the real thing and again, that takes time.
People forget that Tom Oliviadotti was the fan favorite over Jimmy Johnson and that most wanted Gary Stevens over Dennis Erickson when it came time to make another hire. Johnson was virtually unknown, coming from Oklahoma State and Erickson, a product of the pacific northwest, heading to Miami from Washington State.
As quick as folks are to ask athletic director Kirby Hocutt to channel his inner Sam Jankovich, the need to remember that the former AD wasn’t making the popular choices a few decades back and that it took time before his decisions were viewed as brilliant; especially going outside the University of Miami family at a time when logic said to stick with what was working.
More frustrating than the illogical groundswell for Leach, the quick-to-judge and fast-to-bury mindset by fans, friends and foes alike.
In the wake of the Shannon firing, many in the media were quick to lash out at Hocutt, president Donna Shalala and the Miami program, for both it’s demands, as well as the perception it has of itself.
ESPN’s Mark May was the first idiot to the bash party, quickly ripping UM for firing a coach that ‘reached three straight bowl games’ and quick to remind everyone that it’s 2010 and not 2001 and that expectations should be lowered, not raised.
May claims that Shannon ‘turned the program around’, yet went 7-5 this season after the team he took over entering 2007 went 7-6 the year prior and could match that in a few weeks if falling to Notre Dame in the Sun Bowl.
Next on the hate train, CBS national writer Gregg Doyel, who decided a mere four days after the firing that Hocutt “doesn’t know what he’s doing”, also citing making the postseason and classroom / community excellence as reasons for keeping Shannon on board.
The Miami Herald’s Joseph Goodman chose Shalala as his target of choice, questioning the president’s integrity and implying she sold out to the boosters and went “soft” for firing a coach who “did is the right way, fought for everything he ever had” and “never compromised”.
Doyel and Goodman aren’t looking at the situation logically; they’re making it personal and there’s no other explanation than an anti-Miami agenda. Some will label that statement conspiracy theorist-y, but before doing so l should point out that Doyel is a Florida grad and while Goodman graduated from the University of Alabama-Birmingham, he’s covered the Gators for the Herald and is a Gainesville resident.
Yeah, zero agenda there. No desire to see Miami wallowing in mediocrity or reason behind the personal shots.
Nowhere did Doyel or Goodman mention football facts and Shannon’s 28-22 overall record, 16-16 conference run and two straight bowl losses – or the fact that their beloved Florida program ran Ron Zook out of town for a better winning percentage; 23-14 in three years and a 16-8 run in the SEC, turning him into a Gator footnote once Urban Meyer waltzed into town, winning two titles and allowing almost three dozen arrests in half a decade.
Hocutt hasn’t even hit the two-week mark and want to act as judge, jury and executioner – throwing dirt on his career casket and assuming it’s fait accompli that Miami will again have to settle on a fourth or fifth-tier guy, with no shot at a top flight coach.
Where this search winds up, time will tell – but again, give it time and don’t believe they hype. Miami is talking to more people than ‘the list’ mentions and for obvious reasons, many of these conversations never surface with the general public.
Again people, this is big business and you’re hearing what you’re supposed to hear. Some secrets stay in-house and for the respect of those involved, some conversations never escape the office or phone line where they took place.
Should ‘The U’ not reel in quality coach or settle, save your criticism for then. If Hocutt drops the ball and screws things up, then give him grief for doing so – but not now. Not just over a week in. Not when all the lists being compiled are coming from media members without a clue. Not when the process is underway. Don’t let ignorance and impatience get the better of you.
There are more names on UM’s radar than what you’re hearing and realize there’s a great chance the coach hired won’t come from that list and could come straight out of left field.
Whatever you personally feel about Miami’s administration, give them more credit than you currently are. They’re professionals looking to make a home run hire and have made it clear that money isn’t an option. While fans and media members have speculated, both Shalala and Hocutt have been off the grid, working tirelessly to find the right man for job.
Give it time to play out instead of casting stones at this point of the game. It’s halftime and by simply firing Shannon and taking this step forward, the Canes hold the lead with two to play. Relax.
Reported today on WQAM
Gruden would have taken the UM job, if UM would name Jay Gruden as the "COACH IN WAITING"
UM meet all of the other request made by Gruden:
1. 3.4 Million a year for Jon
2. 1 Million a year for Jay as OC
3. Private jet for coaches when recruiting.
How do you feel about this?
Fuck Mark May. He Just wants UM to be like him
The B Team
Don't settle. Fuck the de comits. Get it right, right now. So I'll wanna go back to Joe Robbie Stadium and not be satisfied watching a average team from my couch
Let's all remember that Pete Carroll was USC's 5th or 6th choice and that turned out ok -(yeah, yeah, I know – until the end it worked out). I admit I was drinking the Gruden kool-Aid and when that fell through I was upset. Since then I have slowly pulled myself away from the ledge and decided to pay attention when there is news of an actual hire. If a kid is waivering and wants to look around, he was likely to do the same thing regardless. Gainesville will be going through the same thing now. Just wait it out and see what happens.
Columbus Cane
Right on point. I am guilty of looking on every message board and blog for even a tiny bit of information. I have decided to chill out and see what happens. I guess since we aren't playing ball right now, everybody has switched gears from "Armchair Coach" to "Armchair Athletic Director". It's crazy how everybody seems to have the perfect solution, but no clue about the process. It is time to chill and let Hocutt do his job. Shalala and Hocutt have made it clear that they do care about winning. Kirby , all I want for Christmas is the right hire.
You're analysis of Mike Leach is kind of unfair and one-sided. Nowhere did you mention that he succeeded in the Big 12 with NO TALENT WHATSOEVER. The one year he had one "superstar" in Michael Crabtree, the guy goes 11-2. Imagine what Leach would do with our stockpile of talent!
Moreover, could we please stop talking about "the []_[] in 80s?" This hire is NOTHING like the hires Sam Jankovich had to make because this program is aeons away from what it accomplished back in the day. The college football landscape is dramatically different too.
LOL at your comments on Leach. They weren't biased at all.
Lets not mention that Leach played with thrift store talent and had to play Texas and Oklahoma every year, and Nebraska most years. Or that Leach had the 4th or 5th picks when recruiting, after Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, LSU, and pretty much every other SEC school. Or that he went 5-1 against Nebraska. Or that he played in a bowl game EVERY year (NEVER had a losing season!! At TTech!!). Or that he took TTech from probation to the 8th highest APR score with zero arrests. Lets not mention that he was coach of the year in 2008.
The real question is… Why would you not even give the guy a damn interview??? An interview?!?!?! This guy wants the job REALLY BAD! And they won't even give him an interview???
I agree that we would need to hire a solid DC. Defense is not his strength. Honestly though, if your the AD, do you not even interview the guy? Who has a better resume than him? At least ASK him if he is interested in the OC position? And why are you so anti-Leach?
Lets not mention that Leach played with thrift store talent and had to play Texas and Oklahoma every year, and Nebraska most years. Or that Leach had the 4th or 5th picks when recruiting, after Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, LSU, and pretty much every other SEC school.
(1) "Thrift store talent"? Please. You call my biased but that notion that he had no talent is bullshit.
(2) His record was indicative of that – losing four to six games a year annually – so he had average talent and an average record. If he was losing 1-2 games a year with lesser talent, so be it, but he was a middle of the road Big XII team. Period.
Or that he went 5-1 against Nebraska.
… a few wins when Nebraska was nobody during the Bill Callahan era and a good win in 2009, sure.
Or that he played in a bowl game EVERY year (NEVER had a losing season!! At TTech!!).
Wins/Losses-wise what did Leach do that was so much better than the Spike Dykes era? With Dykes, a perennial five-loss loss team and the only reason he didn't go bowling every year is that there weren't as many bowls in the 1990s.
TT under Dykes was finishing between 2nd and 3rd in the Big XII South, just like Leach. Leach didn't inherit a dog of a team. Dykes had nine winning seasons in a row there before Leach came aboard.
Or that he took TTech from probation to the 8th highest APR score with zero arrests. Lets not mention that he was coach of the year in 2008.
Good for him.
The real question is… Why would you not even give the guy a damn interview??? An interview?!?!?! This guy wants the job REALLY BAD! And they won't even give him an interview???
He was given an interview in 2006 and Miami obviously doesn't want him based on where the program is today. Why is that so hard for fans to see?
There's obviously more to Mike Leach than a high-flying offense and quirky personality. There's something that the admin doesn't like in regards to him being the face of the program – be it personality, baggage, involvement in lawsuits … whatever it is, they aren't interested and it's time to let sleeping dogs lie.
Who has a better resume than him? At least ASK him if he is interested in the OC position? And why are you so anti-Leach?
Who has a better resume? About a dozen other coaches out there. C'mon man.
And I'm not anti-Leach. I've met the man through a mutual friend and respect his offense.
What I am anti is a fan base that clamors for a guy out of desperation and doesn't trust the administration to find a better guy.
I don't see why fans on the outside feel so qualified to choose the next coach when they don't fire/hire coaches for a living, don't know the whole story, aren't part of the interview process and don't know what the rest of the insiders in the college football community know about the guy.
It's a much more tedious process than, "Hire this guy! Give him a chance? Cut him a blank check!!! He'll get us BACK!!!"
Respect the process and again, IF Hocutt chokes with the hire, bombard away – but just over a week in, people need to relax.
Leach ain't coming. Time to let the dream die.
I'm not sure whats going on in these comments, but this blog is the
he only one on the internet that post blogs that make sense, are thought out, and are honest. allCanesBlog has proved that over the last week and a half. EVERYTHING on this website over the last 2 weeks has been spot on. Other sites are too busy trying to break the next great story and often bite on rumors that make us readers believe them. I credit allCanes for keeping me on an even keel and providing honest, correct, and verified info through this process. Thanks guys your awesome. Keep up the good work.
Jon- Sarasota
Tommy Tuberville understands the concept of "THE U".The others don't.It's painfully clear that the ONLY choice is TOMMY TUBERVILLE !
Tommy Tuberville understands the concept of "THE U".The others don't.It's painfully clear that the ONLY choice is TOMMY TUBERVILLE !
http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/bohls/entries/2010/12/09/tuberville_stay.html?cxntfid=blogs_bohl_games
Reports are that TT is staying put.
Again, if he wanted this job he'd run to it and would've had his agent on the phone with Miami the day after Randy was fired, if not before.
Like I said, when he was reporting for ESPN U on Signing Day last February, he talked about how hard the job was, what Randy was up against and shook his head at the whole thing.
He makes nice money at Texas Tech with much lower expectations. He's not leaving Lubbock after one year and he wouldn't be playing games ten days in if he wanted to come to Coral Gables.
Only ones who want to see this are a handful of fans. Not TT.
First off, I am a fan of this blog and I agree with your point of view about 90% of the time. But, I have to agree to disagree with your stance on Leach.
Second, my support for Leach is not an emotional knee-jerk reaction. I thought we should have hired this guy back in 2006. Paul Dee interviewed him back then, not Kirby. So, the 2006 interview holds no weight in 2010.
Leach had ONE Top 25 recruiting class. ONE!! Most of the time his classes finished in the 40s. I wouldn't call that a talented squad. There is nobody in the business that was able to get more out of less.
Please don't compare Mike Leach to Spike Dykes. Seriously?
Your absolutely right. I, just like everyone else, have no inside information into Kirby's coaching search process. There are some names that have been linked to the job – Mullen, Edsall, Golden, Pelini, Tuberville, Sumlin. Has Kirby contacted or even considered any of these guys? I have no idea. However, Leach would get more out of the current Miami roster than any of those guys. Any logical and reasonable person can see that. If you were to look at all of their resume's blindly, without knowing who the resume belonged to, Leach would have the most impressive one (with Tubs a close second).
One more thing… Leach is the ONLY person, of the above mentioned names, that would put FEAR into the hearts of our ACC opponents. The ACC has NEVER seen the offensive attack that Leach would provide. Also, FSU and UF would have their hand's full when trying to out-recruit Leach.
That being said, if Kirby has an Ace in the hole, and surprises us with a Petersen/Patterson/Harbaugh-type hire – then I will give him all the credit in the world. But if we settle for an Edsall, when we could have a Leach, that is completely unacceptable.
One question… if allCanes is the Miami AD, would you grant Leach an interview? Even if its for an OC position?
Oscar – You make some good points, obviously. That said:
… I think it's speculation that Leach would "get more out of the current Miami roster" than the aforementioned coaches. We don't know that. Leach supporters want to BELIEVE that, which is the sort of thing that's growing tiresome. The legend of the man is starting to outgrow the reality.
… also disagree with the notion that Leach would strike fear into ACC opponents. You really think Frank Beamer and staff were 'afraid' to go up against Chris Petersen and Boise or Jimbo Fisher and FSU?
What strikes fear into opponents are win streaks and dominant wins. Leach was losing 4-6 games a year and while he runs a great offense, at times he was stonewalled and stoppable.
… I'd be disappointed if Miami winds up having to settle but disagree that a Leach interview makes a different.
If I were "CEO" I'm not sure he'd warrant a hire if I thought he had too much baggage, lacked charisma and wasn't what I was looking for to head up my program. If UM has a certain type of guy in mind and is aiming higher, I see why they wouldn't look at Leach.
I also think he's hurt himself by going public with his campaigning to get a job. Too many radio interviews and too much talk. Should've flown under the radar and had his people call Miami — and not blasted everyone for not taking his call. Comes off way too desperate.
Throw in the fact he failed in his first interview and is involved in two lawsuits and it really is pretty logical why UM is staying away if you think about it, no?
Dont get me wrong. I completely understand why the administration wouldn't want to talk to Leach. He may be an offensive genius, but Leach is a nut job. He is eccentric and socially awkward. I get that. However, I do love his swagger. If you haven't watched it yet, you should youtube 'Mike Leach after Baylor'. This guy's swagger is through the roof. His persona screams 'Miami'.
One more question… If allCanes is AD – Do you choose a defensive guru (Pelini) or an offensive genius (Leach)?
I think its time for an offensive coach. Dropping 40 points a game would bring 55k to Joe Robbie. I piss orange and green, and nothing pisses me off more than walking into an empty stadium. Defense wins championships, but offense fills the stadium. I say go for an offensive coach (even if its not Leach) and hire an incredible DC. Your thoughts??
After the let down with Gruden, and since it evident that Miami doesn't have the foresight to jump on Leach…at this point just ask Shannon to come back!
Edsall, Tuberville,Golden….even Pelini….yawn!
great point on mark may that guy is such a moron, he went on that stupid rant acting like miami had last won a title 50 years ago saying its not 2002 anymore. i wonder what he has to say now that PITT his alma mater fired wannstache, will he rip them the same way? are their expectations too high? an obvious miami hater. i wish ESPN would hire a former UM guy for a college fb show
Oscar – I'm very familiar with all thing Mike Leach and I do like him as a coach. I just don't think he's a fit for Miami.
As for offensive genius versus defensive guru, I don't think that's the deciding criteria.
I'd much prefer Pelini (defense) over Leach (offense) … but I'd also prefer Chris Petersen (offense) over Pelini (defense).
If you get a defensive head coach, he simply needs to reel in a worthy offensive coordinator and vice versa.
Miami boosters need to chip in for some better facilities. Like it or not, fellows, that's a very important selling point for recruits. And, please, come to the games, for Christ – not just when your 11-0 (I mean, seriously, who in the hell goes 11-0 every year these days?) but, yes, when you're 7-4, too!
Will Hart…
Not just the boosters.
ARod did not even go to the U and look what he did.
With all of the former Canes that have been or are still in the NFL, there is no reason why they can't give back.