Former Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Brett Romberg took to the airwaves on Monday, venting some frustrations about his alma mater.
Romberg’s on-air rant was similar to those of Dan Morgan, Clinton Portis or any other recently interviewed Butch Davis-era recruits. Old school, throwback-type guys who are putting much of the onus on an implied loser’s mentality regarding current players and their inability to sack up, finding a way and get the job done.
Near the end of Romberg’s interview he mentioned former NFL coach and current Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden being interested in the Miami job, should it become available.
On one level, a pipe dream and on the surface, a throwaway comment. Still, it’s also not the first time in the past few weeks the phrase “Gruden” and “mutual interest” mentioned in the same sentence by some folks.
I’m won’t claim ‘sources’, nor will I oversell this latest rumor, but over the past fifteen years of giving Cane-related opinions online, I’ve met some good, in-the-know UM enthusiasts and a handful that I trust have come out of the woodwork independently with the Gruden chat so again, I’ll make mention and you can process accordingly.
Since the Virginia loss there has been a lot of behind the scenes chatter regarding the future of Randy Shannon and Miami football. Talk that the buyout might not be as big a some think, as well as other win/loss-related stipulations. Former players remain unhappy with the way they haven’t been invited back into the fold and others are making their voices heard regarding their displeasure with the current regime.
Toss in the frustrated Board of Trustees members, as well as check-writing boosters and that has the attention of UM’s top brass. (One has to wonder how father and son Theodore and Todd Schwartz feel about the coaching situation and what type of pull their recent $5M athletic department donation gives them.)
Fans have formulated their opinions regarding president Donna Shalala and athletic director Kirby Hocutt, but have done so based on emotion instead of logic. Rumors run rampant about four-loss seasons being tolerable as long as graduation rates are up and arrest rates stay down. There’s a mindset that it’s either all about academics or all about football, with no middle ground.
While Miami did leave the Big East for the Atlantic Coast Conference, favoring more guaranteed money regarding how both TV and bowl game revenues are divvied up, why do some feel that the admin is trading that for season ticket sales, merchandise money and the revenue that is generated across the board for a big time football power? Who’s to say they don’t want both?
President Shalala is building the university into a winner across the board and isn’t the type who settles for mediocrity. You’re talking about a 69-year old woman, born to Lebanese immigrant parents, who worked her ass of and rose to prominence, having now now served as the President of two universities, Chancellor of another and was this country’s Secretary of Health and Human Services for eight years. Her resume is no joke.
Someone that driven in all aspects of life isn’t the type to just roll over and accept second best. Settling isn’t how Shalala got as far as she has and folks need to admit that, despite their thoughts on her politics or policies.
Regarding Miami’s third-year athletic director, you’re talking about an up and coming, barely forty-year old whose career is on the rise. This isn’t Paul Dee mailing it in and riding off into the sunset. Hocutt is building his resume and can’t afford to be taken down by bad coaching hires and sub par win/loss records. His legacy needs to be created at the University of Miami and sitting idly by while the Canes stumble for a second straight year with this level of talent; a mover and shaker isn’t going to just let that happen.
Simply put, Shalala and Hocutt want to build a winner as bad, if not worse than this fan base does. It’s not just a hobby. It’s part of their job description.
Before going any further, let’s state that for the record, no one really knows how this is all going to play out. Not some clown on a message board. Not a big-mouthed fan with a blog. Not a guy who knows a guy who knows a guy.
These are just thoughts and opinions. A long-time enthusiast sizing up the current state of the program and discussing what could and should happen, if some logic is employed. This ain’t gospel and I’m not channeling my inner Barry Jackson, treating this like Herald.com and giving you some unwarranted, biased scoop.
No one saw a four-, five- or six-loss season when pondering where 2010 was headed. Some anti-Randy folk may have ‘predicted’ it, but they’re also the type who called for Clemson, North Carolina and Georgia Tech to stomp Miami out and then went into hiding, never owning their outlandish predictions and choosing not to resurface until after the Virginia Tech loss.
The Sporting News had Miami ranked in the pre-season top five and several others had the Canes a top fifteen team, with opinions varied regarding winning the ACC and getting to a BCS bowl. ESPN’s Desmond Howard went as far as saying Miami would reach the title game but would lose to Alabama.
Some will split hairs over how far UM was slated to go, but 9-4 was a fair starting point based on how last year wrapped, as well as the improvement seen each of the past three seasons. Calling for double-digit wins and a higher tiered bowl game in 2010 was hardly out of line.
This was a do or die year for Randy as the pieces were in place for a solid run. It didn’t have to end with a national championship, but at this point of the season Miami should be relevant, ranked and in control of it’s collective fate in the ACC.
Instead, a watered down version of 2009. Again, four losses and this time, no signature wins. It was also another year of praying for upsets down the stretch regarding a division crown, which shouldn’t have been the case.
Another year where the Canes seem to show up prepared as often as they don’t. Winless against ranked teams (0-3) and unacceptable mistakes week in, week out. Penalties. Turnovers. A lack of consistency and concentration. Miami has become a program that crumbles like lesser teams, whereas it used to step up like great ones do.
Tied 17-17 entering the fourth quarter last Saturday against Virginia Tech, those legendary ‘four fingers’ went up, both in the crowd and on the sidelines. A hand gesture that once used to signify something iconic has now been reduced to a gesture, a cliche.
Fifteen minutes later, the Hokies outscored the Canes, 14-0 and physically wore down a team that used to own that final quarter of football. It was the way titles were won and home-game win streaks were built. These days it’s meaningless – like so many other great UM football traditions and accomplishments.
Coaches, players, administrators and fans – we’re all doing some soul searching as a result.
From the get-go I backed Shannon for a handful of reasons, starting with his desire to take a job few wanted. Local product. Former player. Successful long-time assistant and a guy who not only had strong local ties in a recruiting hotbed, but also knew the blueprint to success, having played under Jimmy Johnson and coached under Butch Davis.
I also made it abundantly clear via this blog that after four to five years, if things weren’t on the up and if Shannon didn’t have this program back where it deserved to be, that I wouldn’t blindly back the man simply because he’s a long-time Cane. The university is bigger than the man and while the the first two years were a wash (due to a lack of talent), year three set the stage for a year four run that simply didn’t happen – which has personally shaken my faith regarding if there should even be a year five.
Shannon took over the most talent-starved Miami team in three decades, full of unheralded starters and nothing close to a three-deep depth chart. Two months on the job, he ‘saved’ the 2007 recruiting class, re-selling Graig Cooper and making sure guys like Allen Bailey, Damien Berry, Leonard Hankerson and DeMarcus Van Dyke stuck around.
Shannon was also responsible for reeling in Robert Marve when Nick Fanuzzi chose Alabama in the wake of Larry Coker’s firing and Nick Saban’s hiring.
A year later, the top-ranked class in the nation, chock full of Northwestern Bulls and Booker T. Washington Tornadoes – players from winning programs, which was a criteria for the type of kids ‘The U’ wanted to recruit.
The foundation was seeming laid. Talent was being stockpiled and was set to be developed. Same with assistant coaches and assembling a quality staff.
Miami was a tough sell year one, which is why guys like Tim Walton and Patrick Nix got their shot. Walton was axed after one and Nix was gone after two. Bill Young was an upgrade and ran the defense for a year before heading back to Oklahoma State for his dream gig. John Lovett took over from there and after two years on the job has had some good and bad moments.
Offensively Nix was replaced by Mark Whipple, who was in every way step up, though has at times proven stubborn and is still trying to find a groove two years in.
All of this a microcosm of The Shannon Era. Some good moves and some bad ones. Some rookie mistakes and some learning on the job, though many issues that occurred year one still persist four years in.
The University of Miami took a chance on Randy and in December 2006, it at the time it absolutely was the right play.
No one truly knew (or cared to admit) how far the program had slipped and the highly-regarded defensive coordinator seemed worth taking a chance on. Especially after UM couldn’t even lure Greg Schiano out of New Jersey for $2M a year and the only other legit candidate was the quirky Mike Leach, who supposedly showed up at his interview in shorts.
Four years later Shannon is no longer a newbie and can’t use the excuse that he’s new to the game. These days a 28-21 record defines him, as well as the fact he hasn’t sniffed an ACC Coastal crown – let alone a conference title – and is 0-2 in bowl games.
In a year where progress was expected, the team regressed. Even if the Canes win out and match last year’s 9-4 record, the wins came against lesser competition, no one worthy was topped and the losses even more embarrassing; most notably the four-touchdown beating at the hands of Florida State and upset by conference bottom dweller Virginia.
Even worse, the foundation Shannon built regarding discipline, accountability and ‘no excuses’ has taken a hit. Upperclassmen are still making rookie mistakes at crucial times, players aren’t being forced to face the music with the media regarding a loss and the excuse machine is in full force.
In the wake of this most recent loss, Shannon cited the Miami schedule – both the out of conference line up, as well as being the only ACC squad who has to face Florida State and Virginia Tech annually. This was on the heels of pinning some game-changing mistakes on depth and injuries, essentially excusing where this program sits late November.
Miami football is again at a crossroads and this time even further removed from it’s last championship. Nine years, to be exact.
With tremendous parity in today’s game and more big money state schools entering the bigger picture, UM can no longer rest on past laurels. UM has to work to remain relevant and the combination of a head coach that not only can’t win big games, but is also anti-media and doesn’t want to glad hand or play the game? Beyond troublesome for the long term.
Winning would absolutely cure all, but four years in and wallowing in mediocrity, who can say with confidence that Miami will be better with Shannon in 2011? It’s time to face facts that things could actually get worse.
All that said, is it time for change? That depends on who’s interested. You don’t change for the sake of change, but if one of the biggest names in recent memory wants a crack at turning things around, you listen.
If there’s any truth to Gruden’s interest, you clean house top to bottom and make what is a ‘gimmie’ hire. Period. The buzz it would create would more than provide a return on the investment. The situation and dynamic could eventually rival Pete Carroll to USC, albeit Gruden has nothing to prove as he earned a Super Bowl ring while Carroll failed with his first NFL stint and needed a successful collegiate experience to validate his coaching legacy.
Word is Gruden is loving life in the Sunshine State. Some think he’ll wind up in Dallas, but why would an established coach – one that’s already endured the insanity of Al Davis – jump into bed with the meddlesome and egotistical Jerry Jones?
Beyond that, Gruden has spent the past year as a volunteer offensive line assistant at Carrollwood Day in Tampa, where his son Deuce rotates between quarterback and strong safety. Head coach Lane McLaughlin, said about Gruden, “He just loves to coach. You can tell he misses the field.”
In life, timing is everything. Opportunities come and go, but the determining factor is usually when in the journey those opportunities present themselves.
If Gruden has that itch, wants to stay in Florida, is enjoying his time working with amateurs (as opposed to entitled pros and hands-on owners) and is looking for a golden goose, it might be waiting for him in Coral Gables. He knows this program’s legacy and has quipped on Monday Night Football broadcasts that UM’s potential, when hitting on all cylinders, is unmatched.
Had Shannon gotten Miami over the hump this year – which for his sake I really wish he did – this wouldn’t even be a discussion. But another four-loss season on the heels of six the year before that, seven in year one and six in Coker’s swan song? The heat is on in Coral Gables, meaning both Shalala and Hocutt need to weigh both sides and see all the angles.
In theory, you can understand the top brass wanting to give Shannon one last do-or-die opportunity. Especially in the wake of a new contract signed earlier this year and what he’s meant to this program over the years.
That said, how often does a Gruden come along and do you risk him not being around in 2012 in an effort not to deal with a buyout? No. Furthermore, “upper level management” needs to see and understand trends. Do you have a winner on your hands and a guy that just needs a little more time – or are you looking at a perennial number two guy who got a shot and simply doesn’t have what it takes to get it done?
These are the infinite details and big time decisions that armchair quarterbacks and knee-jerk reaction fans aren’t equipped to make and it’s why a Shalala and Hocutt got as far as they have in their respective careers. Give them a little more credit until they prove it’s undeserved.
Gruden to ‘The U’ would shake up the college football world and would give this program an energy it hasn’t had since JJ left town. Xs and Os, a Super Bowl ring and a thoroughly impressive resume aside, the upgrade regarding the mouthpiece and face of this program – it’s immeasurable. Boosters would hand over blank checks and Saturdays at Sun Life would become the hottest ticket in town. (Especially if the HEAT continue to tank.) Gruden could be the best pitchman UM has had since Howard Schnellenberger left for the USFL.
It’s not about change for the sake of change. If Miami is going to eat Shannon’s contract and is going to sever ties with a Hurricane lifer three decades in the making, it needs to be the “perfect storm” and that very well could be what’s happening here.
You don’t roll the dice on another unproven first-timer and don’t bring in a short-term guy; one looking to climb the coaching ladder and one who will leave for the next bigger opportunity.
If you’re going to do this, it needs to be the ultimate game changer. Something that will restack the deck in your favor. Something with the potential of Carroll to USC or Saban to Alabama. A name that will steer every on-the-fence recruit your direction and one that can instantly work with the stockpiled talent Miami has accrued the past few seasons.
In all honesty, we as fans are still mulling all this over, but on UM’s front the decision has to have already been made.
A win or loss against South Florida isn’t going to be the deciding factor in Shannon’s future. 7-5 or 8-4 – both are equally as disappointing. Shalala and Hocutt either believe Shannon is the guy to lead Miami back, or see the lack of leadership that many fans see.
Is Gruden truly interested? Can Miami make the numbers work? If not, is there someone else ready to step in? Someone who can hit the ground running, can hit a recruiting home run within two months, can inject some life into the program, can impact ticket sales and can make the most of the talent already assembled for next fall?
I was told last night that all this Gruden talk is “building exponentially” and that some heavy hitters are on board with making this happen. Again, whether this is idle chatter or a tremendous foundation is about to be laid, time will tell.
What do you don’t do is fire Shannon for the sake of firing him. Even worse than a four-loss season; entering the month of December and starting a search for a new coach. It would kill recruiting and there’d be too much pressure to get somebody – anybody – in there to run the show.
As mentioned earlier, a decision has already been made. If a coaching change is on the horizon, it won’t be knee-jerk. Somebody else (re: Gruden) is already in place and this will happen quickly.
Long and short, this fan base will know by Sunday if the Shannon Era comes to a close or if Hurricane Nation will be holding its collective breath for one more season, with more cries of “wait ’til next year”.
Fascinating comments. Everyone wants Shannon to succeed. Bottom line is he hasn't and probably won't. I don't see the point of continuing on a path of complete mediocrity. We have a ton of talent and can't seem to put it all together. This is clearly a coaching issue . What a great story this could have been if Shannon turned this team around. If we stay on this path nothing will change.
I will move back to Miami if the Hurricanes land Gruden. Right after I buy season tickets.
Great article,
I have to admit I was pleasantry shocked to see you used my picture of Gruden.
Ive gotten a ton of compliments on the Gruden picture. It really does get people excited when they see Gruden's name in Cane font.
Gruden wont be cheap, but he is a investment. A hige investment that could pay off big time for the school. The only weekeness Gruden may have is the ability to recruit. But, I dont think this be a big a issue.
All we can do is wait and see what happens.
Great article!
Gruden would be absolutely awesome. If Gruden were to come on board it would be the first time I would be excited about Miami football in a long, long time. I think Gruden could get the job done as long as Shalala keeps her nose out of his business. He's tough and proven. And young. Maybe he likes a challenge. Miami in 2011would certainly be one. He's got the fire that I think Miami needs right now. If he is coaching for free (albeit for his son's team), maybe, just maybe, he'd consider a move to Coral Gables. I mean, who wouldn't want the credit for being the man that saved the day and returned UM to its glory? Another feather in his cap and a ring or two on his finger. It's not that 9-4 is such an abysmal record. It's above average. The problem is, you've got the #1 recruiting class of 2008 barely making it above average 2 years later. THAT is the telling sign that Randy is not getting it done. And the decisions he has been making regarding the QB situation is also a sign. And the man has no answers for what has been happening or any stated plans for how to make improvements. Even his goals are simply to "be better". "Better" is just not better enough. It might be good for Vanderbilt or Kentucky, but it's not good enough for Miami. Oh Donna, be wise, be considerate, be shrewd. The fan base is coming apart at the seams. Even former players are pissed. Openly. What does that tell you? It doesn't mean that Randy is a bad guy. But it just might mean that Randy is not such a good coach. Let him go to a school or a division where he can continue to sow his oats and be a star there. He's just in over his head and everyone is drowning along with him. Have mercy, please, on all of us.
I'm a staunch Shannon supporter, but if he's canned to bring Gruden in, I won't say a damn thing. Gruden would be great for the U, hell, for any program for that matter.
LOVE IT!!!!
BRING GRUDEN RIGHT NOW!!!
AS AN ALUMNI, WHO SUPPORTED SHANNON FOR LONG TIME, THIS CANNOT LOG ANY FURTHER….
AND AS A FAN AND SEASON TICKET HOLDER… WE NEED THAT MAN NOW!!! MAYBE SHANNON CAN STAY AROUND AND BE THE GREAT COORDINATOR HE WAS…
Very interesting blog, Chris. I would say that IF Gruden was actually interested, you get him. Period. Would I do it? In a heartbeat. That being said, is Miami, a private university and a perennially "frugal" administration, willing to pay for someone of Gruden's stature? We'll see.
Like you, I also have supported Shannon since the hire – until this year. I just don't think he is up to the task of what it takes to be the CEO of Miami Football. He is becoming more and more antagonistic towards the media, has let recruiting slide, doesn't seem to be developing players properly, hasn't created a "buzz" for the program, and still doesn't appear to have a core strategy in terms of what he believes in, in terms of football.
Do we know in Year Four what a Coach Shannon Team is? Are we a power running team on offense? Are we a high powered, wide open passing team? What about the defense? Are we an attacking defense who focuses on stuffing the run? I mean, what do we hang our hat on when all else fails on each side of the ball? I can't tell you, after four years.
You mention Saban, and when you think of him you know what a Saban team is. On offense theyt are a power running team first, with play-action pass. On defense, they are tough to run on and bring pressure from all over the place, especially on 3rd down. Of course the difference between the two is that this is Shannon's first head coaching gig. That is huge.
I look forward to seeing if anything comes from these rumors.
Columbus Cane
I just hope the school won't have another Charlie weis on their hands, if they choose to keep Shannon for another year. It was obvious the handwriting was on the wall at Notre Dame, a year after they gave Coach Weis a contract extention.
Very good comments. I have a few thoughts of my own here on this.
Gruden, as you know will be calling the Outback Bowl with Mike Tirico on New Year's Day in Tampa, as well as the BCS title game for ESPN Radio in Glendale nine days later on Jan 10th. So we're looking at Jan 11th, that's getting quite late from a recruiting perspective with NSD on February 2nd, there wouldn't be much time to go on the road recruiting.
Could the '11 class be saved? Could we land a Nick O'Leary? or keep a Marcus Jackson from Vero Beach? Could we get those that would not consider us to get them here? (i.e., Tim Jernigan from Lake City, or some out of state kids like Curtis Grant from Richmond, VA, or a George Farmer from California?
Right now, there are only 6 commits (3 solid) in this class with a lot of guys either wavering or have de-commited (i.e., Eli Rogers from MNW). Randy is building the 2012 class already with AJ Leggett committing just yesterday. We already have Willie Bailey from Hallandale (Broward), the two Norland kids (Johnson and Brown). Gruden would get a monster '12 class as well from not only South Florida, which would be on absolute lock down, but from across the country (Texas, Louisiana, California, which were three of our strongholds back in the day).
There are people that think Shannon is indeed out on Monday the latest, with Whip coaching the bowl game. If that's the case, the question would be how fast could we have Gruden in place in his new office at the Hecht Center? The talent is in place to win a BCS title next year, the thing that has held us back is coaching. Get Jon Gruden here and you fix that problem immediately.
If I were Urban or Jimbo in Gainesville and Tallahassee respectively, I would be very very nervous right now, knowing that if Gruden does take over, South Florida would absolutely be shut down and sealed off. Also, Gruden would make immediate inroads in North and Central Florida, where part of the State of Miami (specifically, the I-4 corridor from Daytona to Tampa is very strong Gator and Seminole). We would start getting back the State of Miami, which ran from the Keys to Daytona on the East Coast and from Tarpon Springs to Naples on the West Coast.
If Kirby is going to pull the trigger on Shannon, he'd better have a big name in place ready to go. Is Gruden that guy? who knows, but I would sure hope so.
I agree with everyone's assessment on this topic. Even though everyone likes to play the hypothetical game, I see a catch-22, IF something as monumental as this took place. Like everyone said, this is a proven coach who has the track record of success. With that being said, ask yourself a few questions: With this potential hire, which type of players would this attract? The 4/5-star recruits that just are out for themselves or ones that will actually take heed and are willing to work hard to be successful? You look at the struggles of Texas, UF, and Miami this year… Texas and UF are because of recent success and those incoming players didn't want to work hard to make things happen and Miami is moreso execution, although much of the same can be said for each squad. Another question is why would Gruden come to Miami? Is he looking to prove himself again for his next NFL gig? Some might say he's a lock for the NFL already, so why take a step 'down' if he's already being looked at for those high profile jobs? The pressures to win in the NFL are much greater than that at UM, but even some can't deny that pressure to win big at Miami is also somewhat substantial. What kind of staff could Gruden put together? Sure, maybe some career NFL assistants would be looking for the coordinator spots, but then who else? I doubt very seriously he could bring an entire NFL staff to the college ranks. How much would this cost Miami? Yes, agreed, it would create buzz, but without knowing his previous salary, I doubt Gruden would come for any less than $3-5M/yr. I don't pretend like I know what UM's budget would be, but I doubt he could be afforded without being asked to take a paycut first (even with some generous contributions). How will Gruden do in recruiting? I know you mentioned about him potentially not wanting to deal with 'entitled' NFLers anymore, but do you think he'd want to deal with 'entitled' 17-18 year olds on the recruiting trail? And which brings me back to the original point of which type of players he would attract. My hunch is that he'd get a bunch of guys that wouldn't like the competition and want everything handed to them on a silver platter. Don't get me wrong, I think Jon Gruden would get the most out of the players he does coach, but how realistic would this be? I'm not saying that this would never happen, I'm just trying to be objective, while highlighting just how challenging of a task it would be. I'm not saying he would do any worse than Shannon, but If this game was that easy, we'd all be doing it. I think Gruden could very well be successful here. I guarantee he'd light a fire under each player's ass, much like Butch used to do, but at the moment, I just don't see him coming down here.
if this proves to be true, this would turn this football program into to one of, if not the most enticing destinations for a high school football player. these kids have watched him turn around the oakland raiders and then cash in on what dungy did with the bucs. and then become (in my opinion) one of the funnest commentators to watch and listen to on monday night football since madden. because of his football knowledge and his fire and passion for the game alone i would love to play for him. he knows talent when he sees it. utilizes it and motivates it to play to its highest potential. i would probably crap my pants if we landed him and then give you mad props for dropping this nuclear sized bomb on our heads. i read your article all the time and i'm going to try not to get overly excited about this piece, but its kind of hard not to get all giddy like a school girl thinking about this. i wanted shannon to succeed as much as anybody but this years woes have proven detrimental to my faith in him. regardless, lets wax the bulls this weekend and send our seniors off to the nfl with at least a win on senior day. dont care who the coach is, i live and die with this team.
GO CANES!!
Malachi Cane in Indy
Herbie's take for those who haven't seen it:
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2010/11/herbstreit-defends-shannon.html
Pipedream!!! But I like it!
PLEASE , PLEASE , PLEASE !!! If we are ever going to be the " U " again , this has to happen ! If I am Kirby I am doing everything possible to see what I can do to make this happen ! I really cannot think of a better fit. If I am AD , Gruden is my # 1 choice .
Great take, well said and thought out. Hope this is not hype and fantasy, but what a hydrogen bomb on the college world it would be if it happens! Here's to hoping!
UM would have my donation again. I used to give throughout the years. I have not seen enough to give again. This would open my checkbook immediately.
if ex NFL greats were available, I want Tony Dungy.
a man who does what shannon would do: keep kids in line off the field.
but a proven winner. If Randy is not HC, I hope he remains as DC.
Gruden would be great, but it would be the same as with Jimmy and Butch. Win and move on.
How about another alum, Rob Chudzinski. Proven coach here and in the NFL. He had some great offenses, or Tuberville ( he can't want to stay in lubbock can he? )
Back to Gruden, I don't think J12 could handle Gruden's harsh manner with his QBs. Like Spurrier, but swap out disgust with rage. As a fan I would love some fire and brimstone coming from the sideline. But then again I am in the stands and don't have to live with it for 4 or 5 years. All his background is the NFL right? So can he recruit?
Side note. ESPN has a prediction about the bowl that would have them playing ND in the Sun Bowl. Kicking the Irish's ass would erase some of the bad memories from this season.
If we hire Gruden we could possibly go on a Gridiron Crusade the likes of which college football has never before seen or heard, rivaled only by our own Decade of Dominance.
Gruden is just about the only coach I have seen that literally has SWAGGER shining from him every time he gives that "look" with his crinkled brow and that sly smile.
I will pray he comes down to UM.
Oh, and there is no way that Shalala wants the football team to win more than die-hard fans like us. No way, no how. I don't care if it is in her job description or not.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
I'd give my right "U know what" for this to happen… But can it really happen?
Half the country wants this guy, both pro and college teams. Do we have the money to afford him? Unless we could significantly increase the coach's salary from where it's currently at, he'd literally have to turn down millions of dollars to take an extremely high-pressure job at The U. I'm sure he'll want several new staff members too, which also costs money.
It would be amazing, though. We'd instantly have a Top 5 recruiting class, if not Top 3 or better. Our talent from the '08 class would instantly be better. He would send SHOCKWAVES through the college football landscape in his first two years alone!
GO CANES!!!!!
You are, of course, nuts. Gruden is the big guy on ESPN and he isn't going to leave that anymore than Madden would have left it. It is the premiere job in all of sports.
You say you supported the hire even though you knew he had no experience as a HC. We all did. Randy hasn't transitioned as fast as we all want. It hasn't been from a lack of effort, or trying. He has brought in top notch coordinators. I blame Lovett more than anyone. He has NFL talent but his coaching ain't getting it done. You don't allow 4 almost 80 yard runs a season and stick around anywhere.
The offense performs every week, the defense doesn't. That is the real issue on this team.
You can't spell GrUden without the "U" — I'd welcome a change at this point. Romberg is SO right, and he actually stopped to talk to my family after the UNC win (and said the same thing) we need to SACK UP!
Gruden, I think, would give us just the sack we need.
How come my comment wasn't posted all canes? I saw it got through and that it was up for approval?
Lopez12, can you repost?
Saw it last night and thought it was one of the best comments ever left in the half decade this blog has been live.
No idea what happened, but attempted to approve it last night.
What a great written article. Thank you for putting it together.
"Tied 17-17 entering the fourth quarter last Saturday against Virginia Tech, those legendary 'four fingers' went up, both in the crowd and on the sidelines. A hand gesture that once used to signify something iconic has now been reduced to a gesture, a cliche."
This is exactly what things have become. It is very sad and many of us (as much as we can) are not going to let it continue.
If we can bring in someone like Gruden, then it would give this program a well needed spark that would create much optimism. Optimism alumni, boosters, fans, former players, current players and staff haven't felt in a long time.
We probably have a better shot getting Jay Gruden than Jon. Haha! All Kidding aside though, these kids seriously need to have someone light a fire and keep it there and Jon Gruden is the perfect guy to do it. The money may not be an issue. If Jon could come down to Miami, we could fire Whipple and free up cash so he could have Jay as an OC. I'm pretty sure the U can offer Jay Gruden more than what he is currently making as a HC of an UFL team and still not break the bank. They both coached together at Tampa Bay.
Alright allcanes here we go
As we just went at it a few days ago u probably think I would argue with u for the sake of argument but as much as I am pro randy I totally agree gruden has the right "stuff" for lack of a better word for miami.
I'm a huge dallas fan as well and was hoping he would be the guy in dallas this year.
I think if the gruden rumor is true the ad and pres of miami need to move on it. I will bet my small dtv salary that gruden would never look bored on the sideline. Good article move on gruden if its true and pray as a hurricane fan that next year the 08 class flips the switch if its not
Idaho cane
the University of Miami was the first school I ever really fell in love with. never a bandwagon fan, I stuck with the U through thick and thin. I love everything about Miami except our football record the past few years. when I see staff personnel and faculty wearing that U symbol on the front of their polo I get jealous because I wish I was affiliated with the school THAT bad!! This is why I don't understand why are teams seem to not play with as much passion, focus and that "swagger" that Miami essentially invented. I was excited when Randy was going to be the head coach because I thought the team as a whole would start to have the same mentality of the defenses that he had coordinated for us. Not the case. I would love to see him go back to being just the defensive coordinator because a great University of Miami Defense is the best show on earth to me. I think he had the best intentions but it just hasn't worked out as well as hoped.