A third straight loss to North Carolina and a third straight in heartbreaking fashion. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. Especially not this year. Not only was the motivation there, but talent-wise Miami had a few more pieces in place. Kyle Wright was no longer behind center and Patrick Nix was no longer calling the plays.
This time around it was quarterback Jacory Harris and offensive coordinator Mark Whipple who were supposed to finally stick it to Butch Davis and his stout defense… and had it not been for a turnover marred afternoon, that might’ve been the case.
When discussing a win versus a loss, perception becomes reality. In the season opener at Florida State, had Christian Ponder connected with Jarmon Fortson on the game’s final play, Miami loses. Had that happened, it’d have been an off week debating squib kicks and defensive breakdowns as the Noles racked up 404 total yards and what could’ve been 41 points.
With the 38-34 win in the books, the focus instead remained on Harris’ breakout day and 386 passing yards. At 1-0 and with Georgia Tech on deck, nothing else mattered.
Had Miami not stepped up in the second half against Oklahoma, Harris’ two early interceptions on poorly placed deep passes would’ve been the culprit. Instead, the game is remembered for a huge special teams hit, a forced turnover on a cornerback blitz and a well-executed pass on 3rd and 6 which allowed the Canes to run out the clock.
When you win, the scoreboard seems to negate the majority of the critique. When you lose, it’s open season.
Par for the course, many are again calling for the head of Randy Shannon after this most recent loss. Miami was “outcoached” yet again. This sucks, that sucks and “fire everyone” remains the go-to solution.
For the critics out there, riddle me this – had it been known beforehand that Miami would put up 435 total yards and 24 points against a top five North Carolina defense, wouldn’t that sound like more than enough to get the job done? Harris threw for 319 yards and the Canes amassed 116 on the ground between two backs (including 26 from Matt Bosher on a fake punt.)
Of course those stats leave out the x-factor; four interceptions – two of which were returned for touchdowns. The Canes gave up 17 points off turnovers, while failing to force a turnover of their own against T.J. Yates, statistically one of the ACC’s worst quarterbacks B.M. (Before Miami).
In the end, how does poor execution lie at the feet of the head coach? Shannon may not have called the perfect game (clock management still an issue), but he called a game good enough to beat North Carolina, minus some on the field gaffes which are out of coaches’ hands.
Whipple and Harris have pulled Miami out of some sticky situations this season. Against the Heels, they created the stick.
It doesn’t take an Xs and Os guru to acknowledge that Harris’ deep ball was off or that Whipple went back to that well too many times. On a few occasions this year, Whipple has gone deep inexplicably – most recently, the game-winning drive at Wake Forest where a 4th and 16 pick up was needed after some deep incompletions.
Facing a 23-7 mid-third quarter deficit, Miami finally turned it on. A short pass out of the backfield to Mike James for 13 yards. A Graig Cooper 9-yard rush. Damien Berry a play later for 20 yards. 14 yards to Travis Benjamin, two more with Coop and a 9 play, 58-yard drive resulted in a 39-yard field goal. The Canes had some life.
A quick three and out got Miami the ball back in under a minute. Four of Harris’ next five completions were for 17, 10, 15 and 14 yards. Move the ball. Gain momentum. Put Carolina’s defense on its heels.
10 plays and 59 yards in under three minutes and had it a 23-17 game just before the final quarter. Good coaching. Solid ball control. Great execution. The Canes were on the move.
A few changes of possession with neither offense showing life, Miami found a spark with 11:41 remaining.
Taking over at its own thirty-five, Berry rushed for a quick 11 and a play later reeled in 21 on a reception. A one-yard Cooper rush had Miami at the Heels’ thirty-two before the game’s second pick six; a ninety yard return, including a freakish ‘fumble-lateral’ pushed UNC’s lead to 30-17. Momentum lost. Another scoring opportunity squandered, in a game where every possession mattered.
True to form, Miami battled back. Just as it did against Florida State. Just as it did against Oklahoma. Just as it did against Clemson, in a losing cause. Same to be said for overcoming a late 27-14 deficit at Wake Forest. Year three Randy’s teams have proven that they don’t quit; an ugly trait that started with that 40-3 LSU-style beat down four years back.
The Canes literally needed two minutes to go seventy yards. Cooper and Berry on the ground a few times. Harris to Aldarius Johnson for 23, the drive culminating in a 14-yard strike to Jimmy Graham – a six-point game with 7:21 to play.
The ensuing drive, Miami fell apart. North Carolina put together a 60-yard drive and shaved 5:24 off the clock. Casey Barth drilled a 33-yard field goal on 4th and 1, pushing it to 33-24 and ending all legit hope of a comeback.
On paper, it’s “fail” cubed regarding North Carolina and to Butch. That stings. If there’s one game Miami needs to win once Florida State and Virginia Tech are in the books, it’s against the Heels. Winless in Chapel Hill. 2-4 against North Carolina since joining the ACC. A program that simply has Miami’s number, as inexplicable as that may seem.
Three year in a row, three heartbreak finishes. It doesn’t add up. Miami won this thing just about everywhere but the scoreboard. 435 total yards to 329. 319 passing yards to 213. Better efficiency on both third and fourth downs. The difference maker; Miami’s four turnovers to Carolina’s nil.
Kendric Burney was a one-man wrecking crew, hauling in three poorly thrown Harris passes. He finished with a single-game ACC record 170 interception return yards and proved to be the first Heel with three picks in a game since Dre’ Bly did it thirteen years back.
Again, the Canes make the wrong kind of history.
A few weeks back it was the multi-dimensional C.J. Spiller putting up a school-record 310 all-purpose yards in a 40-37 win against Miami. An overtime thriller where a Clemson wideout called the game’s final play – a would-be 26-yard strike which the Tigers has never run before. How fitting. This was also another heartbreaker where Harris threw a game-changing pick six.
Miami sits at 7-3 with one legitimate beat down on the resume; 31-7 at Virginia Tech. The Canes couldn’t get anything going and were manhandled by the Hokies. A week later, Miami bounced back and upset No. 8 Oklahoma.
These last two losses – a completely different monster. Rip-your-guts-out type losses where one play literally made all the difference in the world. Poor special teams play. Ill-timed turnovers. Poor clock management prior to halftime, leaving points on the field. Interceptions returned for touchdowns.
No disrespect to Clemson or North Carolina, but Miami beat itself as much as both ACC foes beat the Canes.
It’s year three of a rebuilding project for the ages. All of you on the sidelines clamoring for old schooler Tommy Tuberville or flavor of the year Brian Kelly, let the dream die. Lest some of you forget the line for ‘next Miami head coach’ wasn’t a long one in late 2006 when Shannon said he wanted the gig.
Hell, Greg Schiano opted for smoggy New Jersey over sunny South Florida.
Any big name, flavor of the week head coaching option isn’t going to do for the University of Miami what Shannon has signed on to do. The long-time Cane made a commitment to rebuild this from the ground up. This isn’t a stepping stone to a NFL gig – which it would be for just about any other head coaching option. Keep the Canes humming and the big leagues come calling.
Just ask Howard, Jimmy, Dennis and Butch, all lured away from The U for big time pay days.
Furthermore, none of the aforementioned ‘next best thing’ coaching options are going to recruit South Florida the way Shannon and staff have, shutting down both Florida and Florida State’s pipeline to the TriCity area.
It took three years to assemble the type of assistants Shannon needs to bring this thing back. You’re not bringing in the big names year one as an unknown. It might be a one-year gig and no coach worth his weight is signing up for that… which is why you get fifth-choice Nix running the offense and promoted-from-within Tim Walton as the new defensive coordinator.
Walton got the boot year two and was replaced by veteran Bill Young – proving to the Shannon doubters that the second-year head coach wasn’t looking for a puppet to run his plays. Young brought experience to the table and Shannon allowed him to run his own defense. Problem was a lack of personnel to implement said plays.
Young’s dream job opened at Oklahoma State, so it was a short-lived run which opened the door for Lovett – a long-time ACC assistant who would focus on fundamentals. It’s the type of defense that will gel when Miami finally has the players in place to make plays.
Shannon did go ‘next level’ with his hire of Whipple – an experienced OC with NFL experience and a headstrong quarterback coach. Having head coaching experience from his days at UMASS (where he won a national championship), Whipple was also give the title ‘assistant head coach’ as Shannon continues learning his role.
Misuse of timeouts on offense. Stubbornly going long when the deep ball isn’t there. Shannon can’t be your scapegoat for issues of that nature. Head coach? Sure, the buck stops with Randy. But some of this is on assistant head coach Whipple.
When the veteran coach was hired, message boards lit up with Whipple-related threads. Fans were hopped up reading about the ‘Whiplash’ offense and the fact the sometimes stubborn coordinator would go for it on 4th and long deep in his own territory. Great when it works, but disastrous when it blows up in your face.
Same with the deep ball. Great when Harris hits Benjamin in stride, but extremely frustrating to see your play caller continuing to go to the well when that play simply isn’t there or your quarterback’s timing is off.
Ten games it, it’s a 7-3 season – which many of us would’ve been fine with had this been predicted back in August. Remember that as 2009 winds down.
If this thing isn’t back on track by 2011, I’ll be the first to admit change is in order. But I’m not the type to call out a man halfway through the job he took on. It takes time to rebuild depth and to fill years worth of holes created by poor recruiting and development of talent. Miami hasn’t “reloaded” since 2002 and even then, the offensive line wasn’t what it was the year before.
The full cupboard left by Davis was no accident. That was five recruiting classes and while Butch endured probation, he also took over a squad coming off of 10-2 and a No. 3 final ranking after the 1994 season. Hardly the shell of a 7-6 program Shannon took over after 2006.
Patience, people. Employ some logic. Losses to Clemson and North Carolina definitely sting, but figure out where to place all that frustration. It’s not doing anybody any good when it’s misplaced.
I appreciate your optimism. But the reality is RS ain't ready for prime time. Call me a reactionary. Whatever. He has done many things well. Including recruiting, graduation rates, etc. But as far as coaching goes, he is horribly overmatched. It doesn't matter that they barely lost to Clemson and NC. That they had more yardage than NC, etc. It's that Clemson and NC were in the games to begin with. They aren't going to smack every team they play. But they have more talent than most teams they play and should for the most part be beating them soundly. And for them consistently losing or struggling against inferior foes is alarming and lies at his feet. Good teams or rather, well coached teams, get better as the season goes on. The Canes? They regress. The kick coverage has been a disaster all season. The D has been inconsistent and shown poor execution all season. The offense has been much better than anyone could have expected, but still shows poor clock management, pass protection, etc. Issues in week 1, are still issues. If you want to excuse these things, because it's year 3 of 5 or whatever, that's your perogative. But you're misguided.
Some guys are just better coordinators and aren't fit to wear the big boy pants. I think Randy falls into that category.
Wow Chris, thank you for imploring for your logic. If there is anywhere I turn to listen to a true Canes fan speak, its here. That's what Westminster(if I am not mistaken by what you stated way back during the death of Sean Taylor) education does for you hey? I'm a 2009 baseball state champion for Westminster and I must say, it was not easy. My coach took over a program that has gone nowhere in the playoffs to a state champion team in 3 years. It had been 11 years since the last state title and we pulled the feat in 2009. Yes, it's HS, but its the same idea. So in comparision, I love these Canes, I love Jacory and the fact that he personally lead his Bulls to 2 state championships and I have faith, believe, know he has what it takes to make Miami a national champion. Go Canes
2011? laughable.. no one is asking for MNC's in year three.. but we should be able to win the coastal by now..
CPJ is winning the coastal in year 2, dabo swinney is probably going to win the Atlantic in year 2 (technically this is his first full year).. and randy shannon.. 3rd in the coastal, in year 3. that's improvement baby!
now cpj took over a 7-6 team, was that a shell of a program or were they really talented and on the uprise? i can't imagine you think the clemson program dabbo took over was amazing either.. both coaches have their teams competing play in the acc champ game..
i know we as a fan-base love excuses, and i also know the 7-6 team randy inherited was probably the worst 7-6 team in the history of college football (how did the even manage 7 wins, crazy).. but this 2011 stuff is nonsense.. it shouldn't take an eternity to win the coastal. in 2011 it's going to be "2012" is our year.. we'll still be blaming coker.. and there's no talent and there's no depth.. and we're young and we have injuries.. etc. etc..
i don't even care what our record says we are.. this is the time where the team should be clicking and gelling. instead, we are essentially the same team we were in week 1.. that's more worrisome than being 9-3 or 8-4 to end the year..
While these losses sting, you sum it up best…PATIENCE! I'm still on board with the coach. Any time you IMPROVE from year to year, you must be doing something right…Coker got worse every year…Shannon has gotten the team better…IF we were in the BCS title hunt, this would've hurt a bunch, but using it as a stepping stone it should be…C'mon peeps, can't you see things are getting better?? Didn't Butch lose to ECU in 1999 after being up huge early? These things happen as you grow and learn…
Everything is gonna be alright…
I agree with you completely, but I was thinkin and although this may sound silly, has anyone noticed how poorly we've played wearing those orange pants? Seriously, going back to '03 when they started wearing them, as far as I can see, they've only won 5 times (FSU – '03 season twice, '07; NC St. – '04; UVA – '04). The rest are some pretty bad losses, including a similar 31-7 beatdown against VT in '03. There's one against FSU, another aginst NC State, once against Maryland, couple against UNC, etc. Just a thought.
I personally feel Harris should be a little further along in is decision making, but with all the injuries and tough sched a 10 win season and a top 15 finish is still a good possibilty and that my friends would be a big improvement over the last few years so lets support the Canes vs Duke, S.Fla and the bowl game and propel this team to a big year in 2010 Go Canes!!!
I think we have a great overall team and with the way the players are progressing and the way recruiting is going we are going to be an excellent team. (Hopefully we can stay healthier next year though)
The bottom line is…..Jacory needs to stop being so careless with the football. We could have a 2001 juggernaut like team next year or 2011, but if Jacory continues to be careless with the football, it won't matter.
Now we will see if the coaches can motivate the players to get up for Duke and USF after all the national championship talk at the beginning of the year….to making a bcs bowl…to winning the acc……Also, the next 2 weeks we are going to find out how mentally tough our football players are.
Finish Strong!!!!! All I ask is: No more bowl games on Blue Turf!
GO CANES!!!
Good post AllCanes,
I am so frustrated with this team! One week Harris looks like a true Heisman candidate the next week he looks like what he is, a 19 year old true sophomore. Whipple is going for the home run too often, with the wide outs Miami has he needs to throw the ball underneath and let them make plays. I knew coming into this season that the Canes were really young but talented and I knew that they would be much improved from last year. The first four games on the schedule were brutal and after starting 2 and 0 I made the 6 hour trek to Va Tech in a monsoon and watched the Canes lay an egg (long trip back home). Then a good outing against Oklahoma and I thought all was back on track. Harris is going to be a stud but Whipple has to quit going for the deep ball all the time and putting the M.A.S.H unit defense in bad situations. If not for the Int's Saturday the Canes would have won the game hands down.
As for all the people hating on Shannon, he is the right man for the job! He has brought this program back and is on the verge of being a contender for the NC every year, like it used to be. I admit I got spoiled at the beginning of this decade with Dorsey and crew. Coker totally dropped the ball on recruiting, I could have coached that team to a national title, he should have been busting his butt recruiting and not just assume kids would want to come to the U. Only recruiting one QB and then when they changed their mind having to go looking for a kid who isn't good enough to be a starter (Kirby Freeman) just makes no sense. Shannon is doing the right things but it takes time to show on the field.
In closing lets win out, get a bowl win and come into next year hungry and healthy and dominate.
GO CANES!
Let's call a spade a spade. This blog is associated with a store that likes its access to the program. No way they are going to rock the boat and call out the coach or the administration. Too risky. Not to mention the sales they need. Can't come on here and tell the truth about this team because it might hurt fan satisfaction and result in lower sales. So the writer of this blog comes on here and tells us that Shannon's not the problem even though evidence would suggest otherwise.
Clock management issues are crucial. This team cannot go a game without wasting a stupid timeout in either the first or third quarter. This team could not get its act together and at least try a field goal at the end of the first half.
The writer of this blog said it himself. Three years under Shannon. Three losses against North Carolina. Three games agaisnt North Carolina that Miami "should have" won. Where's the improvement? What's the constant here? The man wearing the headset.
You like Randy Shannon? Fine, that's your prerogative. But don't act like there's no evidence against the man. Don't act like those us of who are tired of the coaching issues are somehow idiots and that just don't see the light.
I just dont understand the "ditch Randy" mentality, i just dont get it. If you cant get behind Randy, get off the bus, we dont need nor want you.
Most recent Anonymous… Do your homework before running your mouth. Over the four years I've run this blog I have called out coaches, players and the administration numerous times. Dig through the archives and get back to me on that before you call out my integrity with your bullshit.
Two months back I spent over an hour in the phone getting reemed by a former Miami assistant for things I wrote about him and the lack of a job I thought he was doing.
You can rant and rave all you want. Don't care for the blog? Quit reading. Don't support Shannon? Then quit following the program until it's done.
I'm simply sick of the delusional portion of the fan base who simply *expects* Miami to be better because "we're The U".
This program was in shambles when Randy took over and it'll take more than 3 years to fix. That's the truth, brother.
As for improvement, if you don't see it then I don't know what to tell you. Beating GT and OU this year was big. As was te whooping of UVA and the fact that this team doesn't roll over like recent UM teams.
Both Clemson and North Carolina had a few nice breaks in games that came down to the wire. Kudos to them. That said, if J12 throws one less pick six and one turnover fueled drive at least winds up in three points, we're not having this debate today at 8-2.
How folks like you blame Shannon for everything – it's mindboggling. Miami was -4 in turnovers Saturday. Jacory was off with the deep ball and co-head coach Whipple kept stubbornly going back to that empty well.
You don't get it both ways. Everyone bitches than Shannon doesn't let Whip work his magic… yet when he gives the OC freedom to call his game, you still bitch about the head coach.
Lame.
I love the holier than thou attitude that holds that to be a true fan, one must sit around sniffing daisies and pretend there are not flaws with the program. If people like IIII47IIII got their wish and we went away, this program would be in an even worse situation than it is now. Guess what, many of us also make contributions and buy season tickets. I'm pretty certain Kirby Hocutt wouldn't tell me I'm not needed or wanted.
As for AC, like I said the first time, if you still like Shannon, that's fine. But quit acting like others are clueless.
I don't expect Miami to be better because "we're teh U". I expect Miami to not lose games because of mistakes that are repeated over and over again.
I've been reading the blog all season long. You have yet to honestly deal with Miami's clock management issues. You might throw a token phrase in to at least appear like you are covering the issue, but there has been no real analysis of repeated wasting of time outs. There is no analysis in this post trying to figure why the first half ended in such chaos.
One of the announcers finally said on Saturday what I've notice all year long. Just about any of Jacory's passes that goes beyond ten yards are floaters. He has no zip on the ball. Where is the evidence that coaching staff is working on the mechanics?
Guess what, when you become the head coach, things fall at your feet. That's Randy's problem.
2011? Guess what. Georgia Tech and North Carolina are also getting better.
Miami beat Georgia Tech? So what. That was ages ago. Ask Texas what beating Oklahoma did for them last year. Is that we rely on at UM now? Moral victories? OOOhhh…we beat the division champ. So what. They didn't take care of business the rest of the year.
Here's a theory for you. Miami is better this year despite the coaching because the talent has certainly upgraded. Give Shannon credit for upgrading the recruiting. But that's not enough when the coaches do the same thing over and over again.
And I don't buy the argument that we won't be able to get someone who can recruit SoFla as well as Randy. If you get a good coach in here who establishes good relationships with the HS coaches, the local kids will choose to stay home if the coach is a winner and they get a chance to play.
Can't take the criticism? Shut down the comments. Otherwise, get over yourself.
Anon – I'm not saying others are clueless. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. I simply try to state my case, explaining that this is year three in a five-year rebuild. So many don't want to admit that and others think this program is simply "back" because of the 3-1 start, when the Canes were fielding a healthy team.
This isn't about me "liking" Randy Shannon. I don't know the man and I'm not looking to befriend him. I simply support him as Miami's coach… a long-time Cane… and the only man to roll up his sleeves to rebuild this program. While people bitch away on message boards, this man is pouring heart and soul into fixing the program we all love. I simply believe he deserves FIVE years to fix what Larry broke.
As for the evidence that coaches are working on J12's floaters… again, no one here can answer. But whatever the case, how can you blame Shannon for that? He went out and hired a top flight offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach who worked with Ben Roethlisberger and Donovan McNabb. He did his job. Now it's on the highly touted Mark Whipple to do his.
I simply can't understand how the anti-Randy contingent continues to manufacture ways to blame a head coach they don't support — even when in some cases it's clearly on the offensive coordinator or players not executing.
As for the point about beating Georgia Tech, it was proof that when healthy and clicking on all cylinders , the Canes were strong enough to beat the division champs. Since then, a dozen or so injuries that crippled a team already lacking depth and experience.
(Of course that's Shannon's fault too, I'm sure. Most thing Andreu Swasey sucks and all these injuries are a result of poor S&C… so blame Shannon for keeping Swasey… even though dozens of NFL stars come back to train with the man every off season.)
As for your assessment of a new coach just "establishing good relationships with high school coaches", easier said than done, my friend. Nice guy Larry certainly didn't do it. Hell, he didn't even have a recruiting coordinator.
How can you just "assume" that a Brian Kelly or someone else will waltz into inner city Miami and become "the guy" with coaches at Booker T, Carol City, Northwestern, etc. — especially when UF, FSU, FIU, UCF and USF coaches have been working on building their own relationships these past few years.
You acknowledge that recruiting is upgraded… but you're not giving credit to the fact that Shannon and staff are literally at the halfway point of this rebuilding project. Judge recruiting, depth and results when the job is complete two years from now.
Butch got five classes and Randy deserves the same. If you were judging Davis year three, you're talking about a 5-7 season. It took him six seasons to finally reach the BCS and an 11-1 season. Yes, he dealt with probation – but he also inherited a program in better shape talent-wise than the one Randy got.
Lastly, I can take all the criticism in the world. I approve comments here and let people talk shit all day long (minus the moronic USF fans who chime in months before the late season match up and make no sense with their drivel.)
Say what you want. I'll post it. I simply don't agree with you and think many of your comments are knee-jerk and off-base. That said, debate away and thanks for taking the time to state your thoughts. We're all on the same team here, brother.
Anonymous – ALL CANES is to kind to you. You really need to get over yourself. Your soapbox whining has become tiresome. We all know you hate Shannon and want him gone. You when say "many of us make contributions and buy season tickets," who the hell do you think you are speaking for? I make contributions and am a season ticket holder and really have no time for "fans" like you. You say UM makes the same mistakes over and over, likewise, you keep saying the same thing over and over. We get your point. If you are indeed that unhappy get some freakin' therapy. I have no time for haters. GO CANES!
Like 305, I'm sick of people thinking Miami should win based ONLY on the fact that the U is on the side of this teams helmet, it's getting ridiculous. Why does Shannon have to do instantly what other coaches get 5-6 years to do??? Miami had 5-7 talent just two seasons ago, so why do we expect Nat Titles and ACC titles just 2 years removed? Makes absolutly NO sense. We have seen what a bunch of SOPHMORES and a few juniors and seniors(and I do mean few) can do so why can't we wait until those sophmores are seniors?
Like 305 stated, don't like or support Shannon? Piss off until he's gone. Like what was said, your "contributions" are not needed.
It appears that there are 2 kinds of Canes fans right now: 1. The Randy Haters and 2. The Appologists. Personally, i am somewhere in the middle. I think it has been long enough where we can stop treating Randy Shannon and staff like they are fragile like precious glass, but not long enough to call for his head! Overall Randy has built this team from the ashes and has done a heck of a job, but on the other hand, he should know how to manage a game clock and not leave a time out on the field when we are moving the ball late in a half. We blow way too many timeouts due to personnel confusion. Having said that; Randy Shannon is only about 10% responsible for our loss to UNC. I delegate my blame for the loss like this: 10% Randy Shannon, 40% Mark Whipple, 40% Jacory Harris, 5% Miami's Defense and 5% UNC as a team. Jaccory Harris has definately digressed! Sure he has come up with some amazing throws in crunch time, but overall he is not the phenom that we all drooled over early in the season! Mark Whipple looked like the greatest OC in the history of football until about 6 weks into the season when everyone figured out his M.O. I like the long ball as well as the next guy, but even I know that you only get 1 or maybe 2 opportunities a game to hit the deep strike! Whipple is definately beating a dead horse with his constant deep pass play calling. When we use our intermediate passing game we are almost unstopable; we don't even really need the long ball! And can someone please tell the coaches to get Damien Berry the ball more often! He is clearly our best RB in my opinion! I am optimistic about the future of this team and I am firmly bucled in for the long haul, but this coaching staff and our golden boy Jacory Harris do deserve to be called out a little bit!
Ignore the critics, 305. Keep on preaching.
I've been a Canes fan for three decades now and I get sicker by the day regarding how thin skinned this soft-ass fan base is. Crying the blues. Always complaining. It's a joke. Nothing is good enough.
Whether you like Randy Shannon or not, people need to support this program and the man in charge. Like you said, Shannon is pouring blood, sweat and tears into this program.
He deserves time to fix this thing as well as the courtesy of not dealing with idiots questioning him at every turn.
BB, you need to check yourself. You're more overemotional than my ex wife when it was that time of the month.
So easy to sit on the sideline as a critic. AllCanes does a hell of a job with this blog. I was reading his stuff ten years ago when he was writing for Grassy.com and he's still getting it done, backing up his argument and dealing with guys like you who think they have all the answers.
I'm not sure I'm sold on Randy Shannon either, but I'm inclined to trust 305's argument more than I am yours. You're completely illogical and you keep spouting the same crap all the non-Randy fans spout. If you want to sell someone on your point, build a better case. Don't just complain to complain.
BB, you are WAY off base in trying to connect the dots between the blog, the store and access to the program. I've been following the blogs for years and can say with no doubt in my mind, that AC calls it like he sees it. He HAS criticized coacjes, players, etc – even THIS YEAR. He's as big a fan as there is and isn't worried about what he says affecting jersey sales, believe me.
The whole crux of these comments are frustration at not taking advantage of this conference when it's there for the taking. Believe me, I was pissed as hell after the game that we GAVE away the game to a nothing UNC offense and team overall. We have the players to win these games now but I just think they're learning on the job at this point. This is Jacory's first year at the wheel without looking over his shoulder. That being said, yes he needs to make better decisions and throw better balls, especially the deep ones. But guess what? On two of those picks, he was getting hit as he threw and the ball may as well been a balloon. Those two defensive touchdowns should not have happened and they should have been tackled.
RS hasn't had the advantage as most of the other big time coaches, learning the ins and outs of being a head coach at a lesser spot. Is that an apology? No. I am just saying that he's still learning. Is he being held accountable? Hell yes! He knows he has one year left on his contract and Hocutt is watching closely. I am convinced RS is the right man at the right time for this program. He waited his turn and took this job when all the big names passed, them knowing the work that would be needed to raise this program back from where it was. Randy has done an A+ job in recruiting, in the classroom, and in the community. The product on the field has been up and down but I'd give him a C+ considering what he's had to work with. However, I think he will improve as a coach the longer he's in it. He is the right man.
Who wins a conference with a core of guys being Sophomores and freshmen? Nobody. Not Florida, not USC, not Texas, not Alabama. The winning teams have a team of upper classmen with a few underclassmen sprinkled in. These recruiting classes beginning with the '08 team will begin to pay furhter reaching dividends.
Will I be happy with 9-3 if we beat Duke and USF? Not remembering what might have been, but at the same time, we're back in the mix. We now know if we take care of the ball and stop beating ourselves, we still have the national attention being top 10 twice this season. RS will get this fixed. AC doesn't have to defend himself to anyone. Miami will get better. We WILL be 9-3 and beat whatever team we play in a bowl for a 10-3 overall season. That is good progress – the next "step" in the evolution of The U. Let's stop bitching and moaning, and focus on the last two games.
-Columbus Cane
I agree with Caneiac1. I honestly love the long bomb but we should definitely give the ball to Damien Berry more.
this was our worst loss in my opinion, on the defense. although Jacory Harris threw 4 interceptions We had the UNC offense stuck at third down at least twice, just to let them have another first down.
Or to put it simply
The game was painful.
Everyone, there are worst things than losing to North Carolina or a 7 win season. It wasnt too long ago that we had a program riddled with embarrassing and unfortunate incidents on and off the field. We had a mentality where the end justified the means and we turned a blind eye to it because we are the "U" and that just the way it is. However, since Shannon took over the only negative pub we read about is to many picks thrown by a 1st year starting quarterback. Now we read about troubling incidents happening at other schools! This kinda thing happens at Florida and Tennessee now but not at the U!
Call me an idealist but I believe Randy Shannon is trying to do it the right way and help mold these young men into being much more than just being simply football players.
Shannon has recruited a talented bunch of quality guys who probably never would have given this school much of thought unless he was at the helm. Not to mention that these guys have put the team in front of their own individual needs. For example, we have a group of talented receivers and backs and not one of them has griped about not getting the ball more. Jacory has also held himself accountable took responsibility for the picks he threw. The not only has the talent improved but the character of the team also is better.
Shannon made a promise to all of us that things were going to improve as far as the character of our team and I think he has kept that promise so far. In fact, our guys never quit last Saturday despite how bad things got. Despite the loss I am proud of our guys for that.
So you mean to tell me we're gonna measure Shannon's success with wins and losses in the 3 short years as HC? I think we need to place things in a much larger perspective than that.
I think he has already made things better. The winning and the consistency will come and it will be better this time around because it will not be attached with unwanted notoriety. I don't question his character or loyalty to da U. This guy bleeds orange and green. If you nonbelievers think an outsider can do a much better job you are definitely entitled to believe that. However I think you're mistaken
I'll be the first to admit that the clock management has been awful to questionable at best. But if you think it was clock management alone that lost the game, you're delusional. If you are really being honest and analyze the situation, yes, Jacory Harris threw 4 INTs, but you still have to blame some of that on the O-line not protecting him. I'm not really impressed with the defense. Its certainly not the worst defense by any means, but when it counts, they tend to crumble. They also don't put real pressure on the opposing qb's, and don't create enough turnovers. However, that is not purely due to a lack of talent or bad coaching, as mentioned before, it is a lack of depth and a result of injuries. Realistically, you cannot judge a coach's talent until 3-5 years after taking the helm..any coach, college or pro. As long as we improve year by year and true progress is being made, stop your whining. Use your head instead of your emotions.
lol.. it's not randy's fault our ONLY option for QB is the guy he brought in and essentially handed the job too..
I respect a majority of your points allCanes, but what you fail to see is that Whipple doesn't control J12.
On the game winning drive when J12 went deep consecutively, go back to the jump balls the sophomore threw. Rewind the tape and watch the routes. The fourth down conversion to AJ was NOT Whipple's "fault." There were other recievers in the route, most notably a WIDE open Collier in a crossing route underneath AJ running along the first down marker.
If Jacory recognizes the open man, Collier would have definately picked up the first being unguarded along the first down line. Although Whipple's play-calling might have been skeptical in other instances, this was NOT a time where he was to blame. It was the youth of the gun-slinging qb that was to blame. Bottom line.
Great post. The trouble with those ready to jump ship on anyone on this team is that they don't know their history. And they like football but are not really fans of the University of Miami.
Look at the teams from the late 70's early 80's. The 81 team lost only two games, to Texas by 7 and Mississippi State by 4. The following year? 4 losses. The QB? NFL Hall of Fame QB Jim Kelly.
It took 57 years for our first championship. Although I think that we should have been considered in '26 after all we were undefeated and even beat the University of Havana.
This team is close but not there. Jacory? He had a horrible game, no doubt. You would almost think he was only 19 years old, a true sophomore in his first year starting.
But excellent universities do not jettison players who give their all, they do not jettison coaches who give their all and turn the players into fine young men with college educations. I have two degrees from UM, have been watching football here since '64 when I was a kid and we could walk onto the practice field and see Ted Hendricks, Chuck Foreman, OJ Anderson and all.
Do I want to win? You bet. A season ticket holder even though I don't live in Miami anymore. Have we squandered opportunities this year? Yup. Could easily be 9-1. Or 4-6. But we are not. We are 7-3 and going in the right direction.
Perhaps it is having 10 sports channels on cable and the web and all that but everyone expects things overnight. It doesn't happen that way and if it does you have probably cheated.
Real fans don't take every pot shot possible. Real fans attend the games. Real fans don't turn back on Canes like Randy Shannon, they give him time. 5 years minimum.
I saw something else Saturday. A QB who took it on his shoulders after the game. Who is a leader. A coach who recognized that it was not a great game for him but did not complain did not blame, said we win and lose as a team.
Five years ago we had players shot, other players arrested and found with guns. We took recruits who had multiple arrests. We have none of that now. This is a top tier university and the players reflect that. I will take this team any day.
You build a solid foundation. The rest, given time, will take care of itself.
I don't think it's too early to start judging the Shannon era. This program was in the toilet when Coker left. Shannon has improved in all three seasons and, for the first time since Brock Berlin left, had the nation talking about the 'Canes again. Also for the first time since Brock Berlin left, I feel like we can win against anyone. Much better than fearing a loss against everyone (think Nevada 20, 'Canes 21). With the exception of game clock management, everything is better now than under Coker.
allcanes…this is for U
NC…………..L
Duke…………W
USF………….L
SHITTY BOWL ….W
(post my comment,,,stop HATING!!!)
I am not sure what to think. I can't get female companionship and now da U will be in the Meinke Car Bowl. PLease help
COME ON DUDE!
9-3 IS A DAMN GOOD YEAR!
8-4 IS A BUST!!!!
I am a little worried about usf! If we can get Moncur, Armstrong, Shields and Spence back WE WILL BE FINE.
AllCanes don't you think the loss Forston, Ojomo, P. Hill, Futch and others mentioned above is the MAIN reason we are 7-3 and not 9-1!
Simple Fact the defense is a differnt team than it was when we stated 3-1!!!!!NO ONE IS ACCEPTING THAT OR EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT!
If people need blame, then blame it on THAT!
I enjoy reading your Blogs and agree with you 99% of the time!
Keep up the great work.
SEC 135 all year long at the SHARK TANK!!
I fell that this team is a few injuries and some depth from being great. I also feel that J Harris decision making has been pretty bad. you donot have to throw the deep ball if the coach calls the play. That is the first option every play has check downs and other recievers. I feel he just locks in on some recievers and does not look for any one else. He is young but i feel he will learn this in the future. Then the defense with so many injuries the depth is not there. this should all come with time but the problem is we see how good this team can be. they have showed signs through out the season. They need to make a run at a BCS game next year.
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