Game Eight : Virginia 24, Miami 19

Let’s cut right to the chase. The odds of Randy Shannon being fired at the end of the 2010 season are beyond slim. I know it. You know it. Kirby and Donna know it. Everybody knows it.

With that understood, it begs a more important question; where do you want to focus your energy? How long can this fan base go on, regurgitating the same argument when they know the immediate result is inevitable?

The constant harping on Shannon being canned at season’s end is akin to saying that all your financial woes would be solved in you simply won the lottery. Both are a pipe dream, so instead of hanging your hopes on something with such infinitesimal odds, let’s attempt to be realistic regarding the current state of the program and what could and should happen between now and December.

WHAT HAPPENED TO ‘NO EXCUSES’?

Shannon could’ve spent a month behind that podium for Saturday’s post-game presser and would never have come up with a legitimate excuse for losing to Virginia. Yes, Jacory Harris was knocked out with a concussion as he threw a pick. Yes, both Spencer Whipple and Stephen Morris combined for four interceptions as back ups. Yes, the Canes mounted a furious fourth quarter rally, falling short.

All that is meaningless. This was a must-win game and Miami lost. The inconsistent nature of this team remains a problem and something has to give as four game remain.

This was Virginia – winless in the ACC in their last nine conference games and a two touchdown underdog. Beyond that, a team that embarrassed Miami in the Orange Bowl finale – something every player on this team is still familiar with – giving the Canes eternal purpose when it comes to exacting revenge on the Cavaliers.

The Canes were coming off an inspired performance against the Tar Heels. One that included stellar defensive play, big scoring drives, heavy hitting and some sideline dancing. Antrel Rolle was in the house last week, one of a few Canes who came back to drop some knowledge – and this team received the message loud and clear. At least they said they did and showed it for three quarters during their last outing at Sun Life.

Everyone is always quick to blame the coaches – and yes, they deserve their share blame – but what about these players? When do they finally ‘get it’ and play consistently good football?

As a staff you work tirelessly trying to drive the point home. You game plan, motivate and teach kids the way.

You listen to your players speaking to the media moments after the North Carolina win and you approve. The light finally went on and somebody’s home. The message has been delivered – be it from current coaches or former players – and seems to have been absorbed.

“Usually when you hear things you’re able to wash it off. But hearing it from a guy of his [Rolle’s] caliber, who has been here, who has been a part of the program, it really stuck with us,” said Brandon Harris.

“In the back of our minds we were kind of like ‘Man, we can’t let these guys down.’ They’ve established this program to where it is and we have to keep it going. He said a lot of good things to us. A lot of guys took it and ran with it the rest of the week.”

News flash, No. 1. You let more than the ‘Ghosts of Hurricanes Past’ down with this most recent loss. You most likely just sent another season down the drain.

Where is the consistency? How does this program continue to no-show when another challenge rises up? How can players talk such a good talk, while walking such a weak walk?

It’s become ‘the way’ for Miami during the Shannon regime; two steps forward and one step back. The Canes rebounded from the Ohio State loss with wins at Pittsburgh and Clemson, only to get wrecked by Florida State.

A week later Miami got a win after sleepwalking at Duke, seemed to come alive in the win over North Carolina, only to lose every ounce of momentum this past weekend in Charlottesville.

FORMER PLAYERS SPEAKING OUT

Alonzo Highsmith Sr. jumped on the radio yesterday and gave this week’s “back in the day” speech. Last week it was Gino Torretta calling for a pro-style offense on his radio show, while Dan Morgan talked about recruiting and how facilities didn’t matter when he got on board. He saw the “U” on a helmet hanging in a locker and he was sold.

Former players talking about yesteryear; a very slippery slope.

Highsmith made some good points about how the onus is on the players and that the legendary Howard Schnellenberger drove it home that coaching is only 10% of the game. Coaches don’t make the hits, catch passes or block. Players do and as Miami proved against Clemson, Pitt and North Carolina, they have what it takes to get the job done – if and when they feel like strapping one on, lacing up and getting busy.

What all aforementioned ancient Canes fail to realize during their radio rants; the fact that both the college game and caliber of player has changed. As much as No. 44 didn’t care about the weight room’s aesthetics, most of today’s kids do.

As badly as a “Miami kid” was once honored to wear that helmet years back, current players want to be wooed and actually hang on recruiting rankings, how many hits their highlight reel gets on YouTube and what fans say about them on message boards. Overall a much softer generation lacking the motivation that made past greats great.

As much at Torretta champions the one-back, pro-style offense, it’s become a bit passe in the modern game and offense’s have become a bit more innovate and tailored to the defense they’re facing week in, week out.

It’s also easy to long for an era where you were one of a handful of powerhouse universities vying for a title annually, whereas today you can rattle off two dozen teams that truly have a shot. Parity abroad in a way Gino never saw.

I can appreciate Highsmith’s notion that had his starting quarterback been knocked out, teammate Jerome Brown would’ve gathered his defense and told everyone in that huddle that if the other team’s quarterback wasn’t laid out on the next drive that he’d lay them out personally. All of that Hurricane folklore is the reason Miami’s brand is so strong and is why millions tuned in to watch “The U” on ESPN’s 30 For 30 last December. It wasn’t the norm and it’s what made the Canes stand out from the rest. The Ali of their generation.

That said, that era is no more. Not just at Miami, but in the college game. When was the last time you saw a player with that Brown-type of attitude; lined up with team captains midfield, staring down the leaders of the No. 1 squad in the land and letting them know, “I ain’t scared of you bitch”, tears welling as they were so ready to hit something, anything.

Of course this indelible moment was sandwiched between late night crank calls and threats fired at the other team’s marquee player and a mid-game brawl that broke out when things were finally underway.

That swagger of yesteryear doesn’t exist anywhere across the college landscape today. The game has become more stale, corporate and money-driven, yet high profile and a stepping stone to the next level. That’s not to say former Canes didn’t have NFL aspirations, but most played the college game like it was the last time they’d ever take the field and nobody does that anymore.

Fans and former players cannot continue comparing the blueprint and process of modern day Miami to what worked decades ago. In that same breath, Shannon and his coaching staff have to change with the times as well.

As far away as the 80s and 90s are, Shannon and staff must realize so are the early 00s. Simple schemes and out-talenting the competition doesn’t work anymore. Ed Reed isn’t roving around as a world class ballhawk and Jon Vilma isn’t lining up at mike, quarterbacking the defense. It takes superior personnel to run basic schemes and the Canes haven’t had that caliber of player across the board in eight seasons.

Same to be said offensively. Mark Whipple has had his moments, but at times has done as much damage as good. Miami still lacks an offensive identity. A fragile quarterback with an average arm is still heaving passes downfield into double coverage while a half dozen future-NFL running backs are called on in doses or simply forgotten at times.

What the Canes used to have regarding top flight talent now needs to be made up for with innovative scheming. Games where the Canes physically overachieve, average playcalling can be overcome. Same for slow starts. As the momentum builds and shifts in Miami’s favor, the Canes eventually take over. We saw it against Pittsburgh, Clemson and North Carolina.

During those “can’t buy a break” weeks, the opposite happens. Turnovers at Ohio State negated big special teams plays. An early missed field goal and early fumble against Florida State set the wrong tone. Same story this past weekend at Virginia.

Dropped pass on 4th and 3. Losing the field position battle early. Inability to get anything going, followed the Harris interception and hit that knocked him out of the game.

When things roll the Canes favor, they pick up steam and take care of business. When tagged in the nose or staring adversity in the face, Miami crumbles.

Last weekend you absolutely applaud the fact that Morris showed some moxy when thrown into the fire, but you’re equally as frustrated that this staff ever had Whipple number two on the depth chart, after his poor second quarter showing. What happens to the Canes if Whipple is never inserted and Morris goes in early second quarter? Does UM fall in such a deep hole or does the bleeding stop before halftime?

And so goes Miami football in 2010. Something good followed by something bad. A day late and dollar short. Zigging when it should’ve zagged. The intangible that good football teams have, the Canes can’t seem to find it.

There’s a lot of talk about accountability, but when will these players and coaches truly be held to a higher standard? Three losses on the year already and a few more are most likely on deck if Shannon, his staff and these kids don’t up their game.

If this coaching staff wants to win games, keep the heat off and improve, change needs to be made immediately.

I mentioned weeks back that good leaders must continue changing and evolving until they find a combination that works. Sometimes that means scrapping the current blueprint. Other times it just calls for some fine tuning, which Shannon has occasionally done.

This week’s tweak was scrapping early morning practices, moving to early afternoon, which is a welcomed change. Anyone who’s spent time in South Florida knows how hot and humid that time of day is. It’s the type of weather that gave the Canes and edge in stamina, something that’s been missing for years.

TIME FOR CHANGE

I won’t be the first (or last) to put on my Canes CEO cap this week, but some obvious changes that need to occur. Starting with:

– Learning how to properly deal with the local and national media. The notion of making players and assistant coaches off limits, combined with a cryptic head coach that refuses to play the game; it does nothing bring more scrutiny and warranted cheap shots.

J-Harris has been off limits to the media all year and after almost leading the Canes back in his first game action, Morris wasn’t allowed to speak, either. Why? There is no plausible reason for either.

This is a major program in a big time city. Handling the media should be part of the process and by closing this portal, you’re making the process a bigger deal than it needs to be.

Interviews are part of the process for athletes and coaches. For a head honcho who is all about his kids growing as men, sheltering them from the media and keeping them in a bubble is counterproductive to this process and them accepting responsibility for their actions.

By not being more of an open book with the local media, Shannon is drawing a line in the dirt, making a potential ally into an enemy. It makes a reporter’s job that much harder and instead of writing a favorable piece, you’re now giving a guy with an axe to grind free reign. Dumb move.

– I don’t care if it’s Kirby Hocutt, Donna Shalala or his mentor Jimmy Johnson. It’s time Shannon gets a tutorial in The Job Requirements of a Head Coach. Coordinators can live anonymous lives, breaking down film, recruiting and focusing on Xs and Os. Head coaches are part CEO, part politician and part PR machine. The days of flying under the radar and giving half-ass answers went out the window in December 2006 when Shannon was promoted.

Winning games is job number one in Coral Gables. Selling this program is job number two. The graduation rates are impressive, but they are absolutely meaningless for a few hours every Saturday. Save that for Monday through Friday. The only stat that matters on weekends; a “W” or “L”.

The head coach is the face of the program and right now the face of UM remains cryptic, puzzling and marred in double talk or silence.

– Start learning from past mistakes. For a program that’s beaten the “no excuses” mantra into the dirt, the same issues remain prevalent. Three days after the Virginia loss, LaRon Byrd is quoted as saying the Canes underestimated the Cavs. Same excuse we heard from J-Harris last winter after Miami underestimated Wisconsin.

Earlier last year we were told this team got a big head from wins over Florida State and Georgia Tech, which served as an ‘excuse’ for the Virginia Tech ass kicking.

It’s 2010 and UM has no business underestimating anybody or feeling entitled. Not after losing twenty games in the Shannon Era, only mustering up 28 points at Duke a few weeks back and losing to bottom dweller Virginia this past weekend.

This is a team that’s previously gotten in trouble believing its own hype and now after a win over North Carolina feels it can just waltz into Charlottesville and stroll out with a win? That mindset needs to be squashed out, pronto.

– With four games remaining, find your identity on both sides of the ball and stick with it. Establish the run with your stable of backs and put your quarterback in position to manage the game without having to be Superman. That seemed to be the game plan against North Carolina, but other times this year fans have struggled in identifying what Miami’s MO is.

Defensively there simply needs to be more focus on fundamentals while getting a bit more aggressive at times. Watching Virginia picking up late third downs on a passive Miami defense, with the game on the line – beyond frustrating.

– As the season winds down, realize that the program needs to get hungry again. Miami used to be at the forefront, but has become reactive over the years. The things that made this program a success – get that fire back.

This is a private school in a big city with no on-campus stadium and less than 10,000 undergrads. UM can’t offer the ‘college experience’ that other universities can, so sell the pluses – starting with the mindset and attitude, as well as the arsenal of former players and football alum who are tied to the program.

There’s been much talk that some former players have been ostracized and that a certain ‘type’ of players is welcomed with open arms as UM protects its current image. How much truth there is to that rumor is unknown, but it’s on Shannon to find a middle ground.

I received an email this past weekend letting me know that Randal ‘Thrill’ Hill was denied a sideline pass for the Florida State game, but that Romeo Davis and Brian Monroe received theirs with ease. If that is the case, there aren’t enough words out there to describe how wrong that is.

Another part of being a top CEO or leader is utilizing resources and Shannon has an arsenal other coaches would kill for regarding talented football minds and proven champions one phone call away. Reach out to those former teammates and get them on board. Maybe they can deliver a message or pointer that this coaching staff missed or maybe they are able to get through to a kid that needs to hear it from someone else, a la Rolle’s recent message.

Miami doesn’t need to get back to ‘thuggish’ ways. That’s not why UM dominated back in the day. It was a passion for winning, a level of excellence, rising to the occasion and accepting nothing less than perfection. Push yourself and your teammates to the brink, never letting up. It’s something that used to be ingrained in local athletes and while these current kids have it a times, they need someone to make thing *click* on a weekly basis like it did North Carolina week.

If Randy loves this program as much as he says he does, it’s time to invite those extended family members back in. Should he lose this job, Miami runs the risk of an outsider taking over and if some football alum currently feel shut out with one of their own at the helm, what happens when a non-Cane is the new CEO? Fix this before it’s too late.

– Continue promoting competition the way Miami used to back in the day. That’s one thing that can be carried over from yesteryear.

When Colin McCarthy missed the Duke game, Kevlin Cain came in and had a banner day at middle linebacker. Again, it was the Blue Devils, not the Buckeyes, so it needs to be taken in stride. Still, more playing time from back ups will make the starters better.

A big knock on J-Harris has been the lack of competition at the quarterback position. Incoming recruit Teddy Bridgewater even noticed it and stated that he hopes to push Jacory next year.

If there’s anything to be taken from this recent injury it’s the fact that Miami finally has a legit number two. Again, it was against Virginia, but Morris had his moments and showed tremendous poise, so No. 12 can finally hear some footsteps.

No mystery that J12 played his best football as a freshman in 2008, trying to earn playing time as the second stringer behind Robert Marve. Since taking over in 2009, J-Harris’ job security has been way too safe.

Competition brings out the best and success breeds success. At 5-3 not too many jobs should be secure and this staff can’t be afraid to pull starters, giving back ups a chance to both shine and motivate.

– Find a way to get the toughness back top to bottom. I don’t know if that comes from riding guys harder in practice or getting in their faces privately, but seeing Miami pushed around by other programs – especially a Virginia-caliber team – is beyond disheartening. Which leads to …

– … starting the hunt for a new strength & conditioning coach immediately. That’s not a knock on Andreu Swasey as much as it’s simply time to shake things up after ten years of the same regime.

Anyone who’s a gym rat knows that you have to shake things up, often mixing up exercises and keeping things from becoming routine.

Multiply that by a million when talking about keeping an entire football program cutting edge and ahead of the curve.

Tommy Moffitt set the tone when he was here under Butch Davis and Swasey took over when Moffitt left for LSU. Swasey kept things rolling in the early 00s and since then both the caliber of player / talent level has changed, as has the college game and science of his craft.

Miami has gotten stagnant on the S&C front. Whether that is on Swasey or the players is unknown, but that’s not what matters. Seeing the Canes out-physicaled on a weekly basis is the problem and it’s time to shake things up there. Time for the athletic department to write a big check and invest in the physical aspect of things.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy”.

The Miami football program and its coaching staff need to show their mettle down the stretch. There was temporary comfort after a win over North Carolina, but challenge immediately returned as soon as the Canes were upset last weekend.

Randy, what’s your next move? These next four game will determine your future and again I remind you, your dream job hangs in the balance. You may earn yourself one more year, but another November skid will warm up that hot seat and there will be no margin for error in 2011 if that’s the case.

Putting the ego in the back pocket, seek wise counsel don’t be afraid of change. Good leaders find a way. Prove your worth and do so. Not for the critics. Not for the fans. Not even for these kids – but for yourself. You worked your ass off and overcame tremendous adversity to get where you are today and you’re on the verge of losing it all if you can’t right the ship.

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