It’s been a few days since the Seminoles laid a colossal 45-17 beating on the Hurricanes and sitting unranked at 3-2, there are more questions than answers. Not the way anybody drew up their 2010 season, but this is where it’s at, so let’s start dealing and moving forward.
I’ve sat down a few times since the loss to address things, scrapping every draft until this one. I’ve read the Herald articles. I’ve rewatched the game film. I’ve perused the message boards and even went as far as listening to both the Joe Rose and Michael Irvin shows, despite my disdain for sports talk radio. I made an exception in this case, wanting to hear how Randy Shannon responded to the much deserved criticism.
The fourth-year head coach ‘owned’ the loss in the post-game presser – as he absolutely should’ve – but what does that even mean? (Like when a quarterback overthrows a pass or a wideout drops one, tapping their chest saying “that’s on me”. Of course it’s on you. Who else would it be on?)
Where is this program mid-October after a four-touchdown loss (to a team that’s supposed its mirror image) and where are things headed? Furthermore, what is the blueprint for turning things around? Whatever Shannon and staff envisioned, this thing isn’t exacting going according to plan.
The ‘Inbox’ has been flooded the past few days. Miami fans with questions. Florida State fans talking smack. Others simply curious where I stand on ‘The Shannon Experiment’. Since you asked, I’ll divulge:
>>> No, I don’t agree with firing Shannon after this loss, but do agree that the heat has been turned up from ‘medium’ to ‘high’. You don’t scrap things five games into season four. Not at 3-2 with seven good-not-great foes on deck. This is as favorable an ACC schedule as Shannon is going to see and each game is a ‘must win’ from here on out.
Is this an embarrassing loss? Absolutely. Shannon and staff definitely deserve to feel the wrath for this prime time faceplant. Has my confidence in Randy’s leadership been shaken? Again, absolutely. I understand that things snowball when not going your way, but this is inexcusable.
Still, I believe you judge the entire body of work at season’s end, not halfway through. A loss would’ve been tolerable had Miami played with passion, simply edged out by a few points – but 45-17 and getting away from fundamentals and assignment football? Unforgivable.
Just over half the season remains and how this team responds to adversity will seal Shannon’s fate. Every remaining game is winnable if this staff can get this team’s collective head on straight. Of course that ‘if’ is the million dollar question today and the fact that this fan base’s confidence is shaken is absolutely acceptable year four into this rebuild.
>>> Frustrating as this loss is, some fans really need an ounce of perspective. A month ago the same Jimbo Fisher some of you are praising today was on the losing end of a 47-17 ass kicking, courtesy of Oklahoma. A few weeks later, his team rebounded and appears back on the right track.(As good as FSU looked against UM, again let’s see how the rest of the year plays out. Who’s to say the Noles don’t trip up again?)
Ugly as the score was, Miami had 424 total yards to Florida State’s 471. Piss-poor as his play was, Harris threw for 225 yards and wasn’t intercepted until late in the game when just trying to make something happen. The Canes also ran for just shy of 200 yards.
The issue Saturday was again getting whipped in the trenches and an overall lack of toughness and passion – both of which need to be fixed in both the short and long term.
FSU fans were all over Fisher a month ago yet now thinks the man walks on water. Welcome to the week in, week out nature of the college game and overzealous fans.
Shannon has seven more games to prove himself and if he can’t, then the administration and Board of Trustees have a lot to discuss this off-season. That said, you don’t fire a guy five games into a new season unless he’s 0-5. Not with two losses.
>>> Realize that love or hate Shannon, he’s not going anywhere this year, so quit regurgitating the same old rant. No way the top brass will react in the same knee-jerk manner armchair quarterbacks do. If they did, half the coaches in the game would be jobless every Monday morning. Change isn’t an option AT BEST until the season is over, so take a deep breath and attempt to support this team for seven more games.
Come December if this team isn’t where you feel it should be, THEN write letters, take up donations, start petitions, fail to renew season tickets, put ‘For Sale’ signs in Randy’s yard – whatever you deem fit – but don’t waste your time or energy mid-season. Instead support the kids out there doing it on a daily basis.
Treat it like you would the war. You don’t have to be in favor of it, but you need to support the troops out there on the front line. Save the critiquing and grandstanding for when the dust settles.
>>> Losses need to be dealt with logically, not emotionally. Maddening as this past weekend was, it’s hardly the first time the Canes have crapped the bed on the main stage.
In 1998, with a Big East title on the line, the then-hated / currently-revered Butch Davis coached his squad to a 66-13 thrashing at Syracuse. It marked UM’s worst loss since 1944 and proved to be the Orangemen’s largest win over a Big East rival; worse than anything they’ve ever done to a lowly rival like Temple.
The following week Miami rebounded and upset No. 2 UCLA in the Orange Bowl and ended the season with a convincing bowl win over N.C. State.
A season later Miami opened with an upset of Ohio State in the Kickoff Classic, followed by a heartbreaker to No. 2 Penn State. From there, an inexplicable upset at the hands of East Carolina and a hard-fought loss to No. 1 Florida State.
Weeks later the Canes were 5-3 and seeking redemption at No. 2 Virginia Tech, but were sent packing on the wrong end of a 43-10 ass kicking. Miami wound up winning the Gator Bowl over Georgia Tech, setting the stage for a solid run in 2000 and beyond.
The point? There are many highs and lows during a season. Check out the college football landscape the past few weeks. Miami hasn’t been the only team on the wrong end of a beating. That doesn’t excuse this loss in the least, but things need to be dealt with accordingly and logically.
Should Miami win out, beating Florida State in an ACC title game rematch (currently a reach based on where this team’s psyche appears), it takes the focus off a disappointing October loss. Of course should the stumbling continue, proving this loss was a trend and not a fluke, again that is when you address Shannon’s future. Judge the complete body of work at year’s end – not on a game-by-game or quarter-by-quarter basis.
>>> Those of you working tirelessly on your next coach ‘wish list’, remember a few things during the process – namely, the fact that the University of Miami head coaching gig isn’t the premier job it was decades ago.
What used to be a stepping stone to greener pastures hasn’t been that since Dennis Erickson left for Seattle. Nobody was diving at the opportunity back in late 2006 when Larry Coker was fired.
Greg Schiano turned down $2M and chose to stay in Rutgers, as opposed to rebuilding UM. Having spent some time down south in the late 90s, he wanted no part of taking on the challenge Randy dove at. Same to be said for Davis, who accepted the North Carolina job weeks before the UM job reopened (even when the writing of Coker’s impending firing was on the wall).
Even Davis, who had proven success in Coral Gables, chose to start fresh at a basketball school instead of rebuilding where he had past success, at a program firmly planted in the most fertile recruiting soil this nation has to offer.
Big schools in big time college towns with stronger fan support, better facilities, on campus stadiums, huge student / alumni bases and state-funded athletic budgets — all of that outweighs, five titles and some dominance over the last few decades. The landscape has changed and there are only a small percentage of guys out there who are going to sign up to take on the challenge that is ‘The U’.
Who really wants to compete with the Dolphins and the HEAT, while playing games at an off-campus stadium, dealing with a fickle fan base and a large media market that brings heavy scrutiny when you lose and little praise when you win? Miami is a special place that requires a special coach. Few guys out there fit the bill in this day and age.
There’s a reason nobody schools like Boise State and Texas Christian have done what they’ve done as big fish in little ponds. Fly under the radar in a lesser conference. Set up schedules that work in your favor. Only get up for a few games per year, cruising while other big conference schools beat each other up and weed each other out.
Those clamoring for Kirby Hocutt to open the checkbook for a Chris Petersen (or some other flavor of the year guy), what makes you think he’d ever leave what he’s built in Boise to head to Coral Gables? Even if he did, what makes you so sure he’d succeed outside his own private Idaho and in this one-of-a-kind region? Look back at some past Boise State gurus and where they ended up after leaving for supposed greener pastures:
– Dirk Koetter put BSU on the map in the late 90s, going 10-3 and 10-2 back-to-back, winning the conference as well as two bowl games. From there, the golden opportunity to replace Bruce Snyder at Arizona State, where Koetter failed miserably, going 40-34 over six seasons and never finishing any better than third in the Pac-10.
– Dan Hawkins replaced Koetter and went 53-11 over five seasons in Boise, winning the conference four years in a row. Like Koetter, he too was handed a big time shot and looks to in over his head in Boulder. Hawkins went 2-10 year one and 3-9 year four, with two seven-loss seasons sandwiched between. To date, Hawkins is 19-35 at CU in just over four years on the job.
Petersen might or might not ever leave Boise, but regardless, based on past BSU head coaches’ track records, he’s still unproven in a big conference and hasn’t shown he can get his team up (against good competition) on a weekly basis. (Nor has he proven that he can recruit nationwide, not just in his own backyard.)
Petersen knows he has a good thing going and has already turned down offers to coach elsewhere. If and when the day comes to move on, expect him at a major powerhouse (with big money – an Oregon, Arizona State, Colorado, Southern Cal should Lane Kiffin fail, Oklahoma should Bob Stoops leave, etc.) or somewhere else out west, where he already has strong recruiting ties.
Like it or not, Randy is Miami’s guy for the time being. As for what the next seven games hold, I have no idea what to expect and readily admit that. Some have an opinion, but nobody knows.
There is a tremendous problem with this team’s attitude, chemistry and it’s lacking toughness and thankfully I’m not paid seven figures a year to figure out how to fix that, because the next step is a career-defining one for Shannon and every member of his staff.
A kid that exuded such confidence at times last year looks completely shell-shocked as a junior.
There’s talk that Shannon and Whipple aren’t on the same page regarding Harris. If that’s the case, both need unite and figure things out immediately because he’s the key to Miami bouncing back.
Find a happy medium regarding the offensive vision. Rebuild Harris from the ground up. Rely more on the run instead of hurling it all over the field 47 times a game – especially if Harris remains banged up.
To Whipple’s credit, he’s run more lately but it still seems forced and at times, predictable. Case in point, forcing two 3rd and long draws against Florida State. Just because Lamar Miller had success at Clemson doesn’t make it a go-to third down call.
Coaches must work with Harris, getting him back to a point where he worries less about his Heisman outfit, his ‘brand’ and carrying a program (and an entire city) on his shoulders. Right now the fans would simply settle for less turnovers, more confidence, a better thrown ball and some leadership, which comes back to Randy. Baby steps for Jacory. Break bad habits and instill some positive new ones.
Shannon has done things his way from day one, working his stoic approach for just over three years and at 3-2, on the heels of a huge loss, a true leader regroups and goes back to the drawing board.
I respect the coach’s stance that these kids are playing assignment football and that guys have to stay within those assignments, making plays. If guys aren’t taking care of business, you either change the plays or the personnel. That much is understood and it’s a fine philosophy.
What Shannon hasn’t done is prove this methodology works nor has he addressed how to rally his troops and motivate in times of trouble. He may have taken a page out of Jimmy Johnson’s handbook regarding UM’s blueprint for success on the recruiting and competition front, but Shannon isn’t the master psychologist JJ was and lacks ability to excite and move players the way his mentor could.
Shannon took to the airwaves Monday morning talking about guys needing to step up and lead. He mentions a handful of potential leaders being on the cusp, but again if they’re not there yet, Shannon must figure out how get them there – quickly. It’s “go” time in Coral Gables and it’s nearing disaster mode as far as this season is concerned. The time is now and if guys aren’t hearing Randy’s words, they need to see some action from their leader.
Drop the guard a little bit. Loosen up even more. Employ some new motivational tactics. Open up.
As Shannon attempts to grow as a head coach, it’s time he steps even further out of his comfort zone and his personal way of doing and dealing.
You can get away with an indifferent attitude regarding the media or remain stoic with players if you’re winning (see Bill Belichick), but act that way when you’re losing and you lose credibility and become an instant target for criticism.
Randy doesn’t have to turn into the ultimate rah-rah guy overnight, but don’t be afraid show these kids how badly you want to win. Let them know how much you love what you do, that this is your dream job and that nothing would make you happier than succeeding at your alma mater and coaching there forever.
Young men instinctively want to impress and make a father figure-type proud. Especially in our late teens and early twenties. A ‘job well done’ or pat on the back goes a long way. The more Randy shows these kids, the more they’ll show him and the harder they’ll work for him. But somebody has to flinch first and the onus is on the highly-paid, forty-something leader – the teacher is held to a higher standard than the pupil.
Miami played soft and was manhandled by Florida State. Did Miami come out flat or did a lack of success drive after down suck the life out? No one knows, but neither is acceptable in a rivalry game against your biggest rival. Shannon could’ve coached from the parking lot and these kids should’ve been juiced and good to go.
Deep down, I don’t believe these kids are as soft as they played. This is a talented team with its share of tough local kids, yet somehow it’s developed a fragile psyche. Again, Shannon must channel his “inner Jimmy” and figure out what makes his kids tick. That in itself is as important to the coaching profession as Xs and Os and recruiting. Get the most out of your kids. Find a way to make them respond as they should.
Every Herald article has quotes from players, talking about their anger, frustration and embarrassment regarding the loss – so make Duke pay. Exact some revenge on North Carolina for three straight losses. Take advantage of lesser competition with Virginia and Maryland on deck – instead of playing down to the level of competition. Remember what Virginia Tech did to you up in Blacksburg last September and rise to the challenge when the Coastal berth is on the line late November.
At 4-1 there would’ve been some breathing room. At 3-2 – and more importantly, how that second loss was attained – Shannon took a mighty step back in a year of growth. It shouldn’t cost him his job, but the ante has bee upped. Change needs to occur and based on the remaining schedule, “ACC title game or bust” has become the new reality.
Duke without Thad Lewis, a depleted North Carolina squad, a Virginia program in rebuild mode, a bad Maryland team, a Georgia Tech bunch that looks a lesser version of last year’s conference champs and some filthy Hokies who crapped the bed against James Madison. Miami’s toughest games are at home and the meat of the schedule is in the rearview. All that preseason “no excuses” banter? Time to live up to it, Canes.
Winning the ACC should never be ‘expected’ but year four and based on Miami’s level of talent combined, the home schedule and the lack of national power conference-wise, Shannon will never have an easier road than he does this year.
From day one I called this a four- to five-year rebuild and my belief in Randy came from his success as a man, a player, as an assistant, as a local product and what I saw as annual constant improvement since taking over. The win total got better each year he was here, as did the level of talent. I made it clear that as long as Shannon and his Canes were getting better, I was on board – but should things start backsliding, I would gladly reevaluate. 45-17 was most definitely a step in the wrong direction, hence the questioning and bold stance.
Last Saturday was only one game, but it was a giant blow to the rebuilding project.
Randy and staff my full support these next seven games but if the Canes aren’t on the right track by year’s end, I’ll be right there with many others voicing my displeasure and calling for change. We still won’t know the right direction even if the administration chooses to cut bait, but at least the bleeding will stop if this year winds up a colossal failure.
Make these next seven count, Coach. Your dream job hangs in the balance and opportunities like this don’t come along everyday.
comments
The constant re-litigating of the winning-cures-all-while-losing-exposes-warts sentiment rolls on as Miami faithful continue flailing in…
Josh Pate gets it... and I'm not just saying that because he dedicated an entire…
Tyler Van Dyke may very well have thrown his last meaningful pass for the Miami…
We can debate the merits of winning-curing-all and losses-killing-perspective at another time. For now, focus…
Winning might not cure everything, but it certainly can shift a narrative overnight—immediately lightening…
The only remedy for a gut-wrenching loss to Georgia Tech would've been the Miami Hurricanes…
View Comments
I'm pretty sure I'm not bringing anything new to the table that hasn't been said already, but just trying to give an honest opinion of what I see...
Where to begin? This is probably the first time in this regime where I really have to call coaching into question. I mean pick whichever area to discuss, it seems like it was a regression. Missed tackles. Penalties. Drops (by Hankerson most noticeably). And what on Earth happened with our Special Teams? Coach Pannunzio has been failing on both units he's coaching. No production either from the TE or Kickoff Coverage team. Man, was the psyche of the team THAT damaged after Bosher missed the FG on the first drive? If so, this team has absolutely NO leadership among its players. I think Herbie said it best during the telecast, he pretty much articulated it probably how each and every one of us felt. One could argue that this loss was perhaps even worse than the game in '97 or the OB finale. I say that only because this team is supposed to have way more "talent" than those squads, which may be accurate, but they definitely don't have the mindset or the heart that they need. I don't know what it is, but I think we probably all should agree not to talk about how "talented" this team is or will be until closer to the end of the season. Guys like Futch need to shut up, to put it bluntly. These guys get caught up in the hype too much and don't focus. The whole reason I'm questioning coaching in the first place is because all offseason long we heard about how "mature" this team is coming into the season. Well, they might be physically mature, but their mental game is lacking. I tell you, I'd much rather have a more fundamental team, than I would uber-talented that doesn't focus. Listen people, Randy Shannon is not going anywhere, he's not getting fired, so just stop it. The guy just got an extension... Besides who are you going to replace him with? A guy like Mike Leach? Please.
Say what you want about J. Harris, but the guy doesn't seem to be all there right now. It's evident he's ailing physically and mentally right now. Let's be real, he gives the team the best chance to win, but it would probably be in the team's best interest to rest him at Duke so he doesn't get hurt worse. Folks, it could be a hell of a lot worse at the QB position: Look at what happened to Marve, two torn ACLs. Remember the Kirby Freeman experiment a few years back? Kyle Wright? Who's to say he would've done any better if Whipple was his coordinator back then. Believe me, I hate mediocrity and losing (or beatdown in this case) to your rival as well, but simply put this team just isn't ready for the big stage quite yet. I think you just have to wonder, when is this team finally going to put it all together...
Mike, I couldnt agree with you more. Good to see another level headed CANES fan. I cant help but to notice that there arent many "givens" with this team, what I mean is nothing is ever certain,nothing can be taken for granted, you just dont know what youre going to get from week to week. Its been this way for a while, and there is always excuses and I understand youth and depth has played a large role the last couple of years, but one cant help to be disappointed with the lack of prodution of both the players and coaches.Im not going to sit here and blame Randy, or Whip, or even Jacory. I think as a total package there is much at this very point to be disappointed about. I believe this can be turned around the season is young and there is alot of football to still be played, but its important that these players start to progress and play up to their potential or the potential we the fans think they have. One more point and I know it has to do with personalities and not everyone is the same, but Nick Saban after the SC loss this weekend really showed the kind of emotion that I'd love to see from Randy. As stupid as this sounds I'd feel alot better about the direction of this team if I"d see Randy get upset and show that he is as disappointed and angry as we the fans are, like I said its stupid but that how I feel.
I BLEED ORANGE AND GREEN..!!!
GO CANES...!!!
A wise choice, 305. I have a few years on you being a Cane. I've seen this happen before at this program and others. I think Saturday was a disgusting display of ineptitude but the season is not lost, Shannon does not need to be fired and Harris is not a bad QB. Sometimes, luck and circumstances are against a football team. It is how they bounce back which will tell us what we need to know.
Chard
The thing that concerns me about this loss to FSU goes much more beyond the score. Sure they came out flat and showed no effort, emotion, and lack of basic fundamentals but there is a deeper issue at hand here(at least from my perspective). Going back to 2002 the Miami vs FSU game has been decided by 8 points or less(FSU under Bowden and Miami under Coker/Shannon respectively). Year One under Jimbo Fisher as HC and we suffer a 45-17 beatdown. Randy and Co are in their second year together, they are supposed to have a decided edge against a first time HC and new staff. Sad to say this may be the beginning of longtime ownage by FSU if Randy remains at the helm. I hope to God I am wrong, but it is just a feeling that I have.
in JJ's 2nd 0r 3rd year we led Maryland 35-0 at the half and lost.
Sugar bowl in Testeverde's 1st bowl he threw 5 pics and we lost.
Fiesta bowl-- Testeverde's 2nd bowl
another 5 pics and lost National championship to Penn State.
Following his Heisman award Torretta threw several pics and we lost to Alabama
I don't recall the hatered poured down on Jacory & Randy being displayed in those bad losses.
This loss really sucks. I traveled to Miami from Texas for this debacle, and eating cold crow served by all those war chanters really was hard. I think the key here is that all is not lost and that we have to evaluate this team based on entire season rather than one of the worst games in recent memory. This team was not ready to play. Although a good line, I have a hard time believing that FSU is that much better in the trenches than OSU.
I really hope that this game was an unexplainable anomaly. Time will tell us if it is. It's obvious that there are many more questions about Shannon now, but let's wait and entertain those those after the season. Shannon of all people knows that he has to win and win now. There is a lot of talent on this team. Hopefully, Shannon and his staff can rebuild confidence and coach these guys up.
Chris, great write up. I totally agree with you.
I'd still like someone to answer this question:
Where is/who is our team leader?
Where's the Bennie Blades? Ed Reed? Ray Lewis? This team lacks leadership, and such a lack of leadership stems from the head coach down. Why would any kid down 21-0 want to get excited about playing in a football game while their head coach is standing on the sidelines stone-faced, arms crossed like a corpse?
Let Shannon finish out this season, maybe get a win in a mediocre bowl game a la Larry Coker, then send him packing, there's no excuse for what happened Saturday night - and for the love of God, please bring in someone who realizes that a pro-style offense no longer works in college football.
To me the most logical starting point is to run the ball, short passinbg game which will protect Harris and keep a fragile defense off the field, i would even look at a little option and pitch game to build toughness and some confidence with this ol. The good news is even as bad as things suck after getting smashed by the semi-holes the acc is still a decent posibilty and as upset as the fan base is right now we need to rally around these guys and maybe things can turn around.
The one thing that I will say about the uproar in the fanbase this week is that I'm glad people are pissed off because it actually shows we do care and want this team to play/coach to their abilities. Far too often it seems like the majority of the U fans are not engaged in the team.
As I said to Chris in the past, college football is based on emotion. Did you see us in the first half? No emotion, no nothing. I couldn't tell if they were playing an arch rival or waking up from a nap and getting water. I don't care how cool and calm players are said to be...be engaged into the game, with your teammates and with your coaches. Act like you want to be there. Get on the sidelines with teammates/coaches and go over what the fck is going wrong and fix it. We need some vocal leaders who lead through words and play. I don't care what you have to say to the media during the week, do it during the game.
I think it is premature to want Shannon fired. I agree with the saying to the players and coaches: adversity doesn't build character but reveals it. Can Shannon succeed? Yes. Have we done as well as we should have done so far? No. I think he's done well in his first ever coaching stint here. It could be the case that he's the right guy to build a great foundation and someone else may have to take it to the next level. We will see.
To those who say he should have never had his contract extended, that just makes no sense. Recruiting is the lifeblood in college football and you can not let any coach go into his last season on a contract and expect to be able to compete in living rooms. Kids want to know who will be the leader. At the same time, we all know these contracts aren't worth the paper they are written on. Coaches get fired at any time and coaches leave at any time. He deserved to be extended when you considered what he inherited and what he had to build. We HAVE to get another QB in this class, someone with true QB size. Everyone has to have competition to bring out the best per position. Time to pick up the recruiting heat right now. We are behind UF and FSU right now in recruiting in player interest and we have to right that ship.
Time to focus on Duke and Duke only.
HOWEVER, every player should have that FSU score up their locker as a goal to get some payback. Let's get some fire and play with some pride. Play Cane ball and enjoy kicking ass again.
-Columbus Cane
No desire on Kickoff coverage to make a big stop.
No desire or will from the receivers to really go after the ball and actually catch it each time you have that opportunity.
No desire or determination to make an aggressive tackle
No absolute toughness or just being flat out mean on o line or d line.
That is what I see right now from this group of canes. These kids may have the talent but I just don't see them getting mean and taking control of game and really wanting to win. This has been said a million times, the best Talent doesn't always win, these players need to find a way to really WANT to win and to figure out how to take control of the opponents they go against. They are just playing way too soft. Can that be changed? It is hard to say if this group of players really has the heart and toughness to become an elite team. I truely hope so. Go Canes