Jon Gruden will not be the next coach of the University of Miami.
With that, let’s fold up the tent, disband the program, board up Hecht and pledge our allegiance elsewhere. Life as we thought we knew it is over. Hurricane football is d-e-a-d.
While I’m obviously being facetious, my faux rant isn’t all that far off from what some are saying in the wake of Gruden’s, “thanks, but no thanks” response to being offered the head coaching gig recently vacated by Randy Shannon.
With Gruden officially off the radar, this might be a good time for all of us to shut up, take a deep breath, sit back and reflect as it’s been a whirlwind couple of days for UM and we’re all a bit upside down and talking crazy.
A week ago Miami was four days past the loss to Virginia Tech and three days from getting upset by South Florida. Shannon was still in the driver’s seat, excuses were being made regarding the most recent loss and fans were pissing and moaning about a school president who supposedly didn’t care about football, convinced that Randy would get at least one more year to right the ship, if not more.
For many, Christmas came early when Shannon was let go Saturday evening, hours after the overtime loss to the Bulls. Seems in the wake of the non-hire regarding Gruden, most are forgetting what’s taken place recently inside the walls of Hecht and it’s time for some perspective, instead of spewing more venom.
Many of you felt that Donna Shalala and Kirby Hocutt were content with seven or eight seasons, as long as kids stayed out of trouble. You felt Shannon’s job wasn’t just safe this year, but for many years to come, as long as Miami’s APR rating stayed high and number of arrests low.
Instead, Shalala gave Hocutt the green light to move forward, proving that when it comes to term ‘student athlete’, each word is as important as the other.
Shannon was let go hours after Miami’s fifth loss of the season and who was the first phone call to fill the vacancy? Jon Gruden. Arguably the biggest name out there and UM was all but ready to give the man a blank check, proving their commitment to getting this proud football program back where it needs to be.
How interested Gruden may or may not have ever been, it doesn’t matter. Miami meant business and Hocutt trekked to Tampa with the intent of putting a deal together – something most fans wouldn’t have seen coming in a million lifetimes.
That in itself should be your focus today, after taking a few minutes to wallow in some Gruden-imposed sorrow. Remember where you were a week ago and take pride in the fact this university is committed to building a winner and not settling for mediocrity.
Yes, we all got caught up in Grudenmania, which is both understandable and acceptable. Honestly, when was the last time Miami fans really had a reason to feel good about something?
Saturday November 5th back in 2005, if you really want to know.
The then fifth-ranked Canes kicked the ass off the third-ranked Hokies in Blacksburg, 27-7 and Miami rose to No. 3 in the land, nestled right behind top-ranked Southern Cal and second-ranked Texas, who eventually squared off in the last great title game. It was the last time Miami was truly relevant both on or off the field.
Five years of being average took it’s toll, so when a 7-5 regular season was followed with a 48-hour window where Shannon was fired and there was talk of a potential Gruden hire, everyone ran with it because as modern day Miami fans, we all needed something to cling to.
At allCanesBlog.com, we did our best to share what we were hearing, always with the caveat that it came from a source or friend and that until the ink on the contract was dry, everything should be taken with a grain of salt.
If there’s anything we did these past few days to mislead you, we apologize. Like you, we were thrilled at the premise of a fiery Super Bowl winning coach heading to Coral Gables and simply told you what we heard, in an effort to keep you informed.
It’s a fine line between wanting to be first and striving to be right, which is why others who cover the Canes are getting lambasted today, having gone a little too far in their quest to break the story.
Still, if fans weren’t clamoring for it, there wouldn’t have been the need for the media and paid sites to run with the scoop as they have. (Our site traffic was 10x the norm, as inquiring minds wanted to know.)
Those folks tearing CaneSport’s Gary Ferman a new one today are some of the same fanatics that were treating him like the oracle a few days back, hanging on his every word and begging for any morsel thrown their way – proving that those seeking the story are as much to blame as those who reported it. We’re all fans and we’re all guilty of running before we walked. All of us need to take our share of the responsibility here. Own it, don’t cast stones.
Time to get a grip, to employ some logic and to really size up what’s gone on the past few days. It was easy to get caught up in the moment, but too much happened too quickly and the moment has passed, meaning it’s time to re-evaluate and to see the positive in what’s happened since Saturday.
This university cares about football more than you knew and the head coach that many felt was the root of the problem has been let go. Start and end with that premise, instead of lamenting the biggest fish in the pond who got away.
Yes, for the sake of recruiting, the Miami Hurricanes need to get a coach in place sooner than later. That said, Signing Day is over two months out and this is a program-defining hire that cannot be rushed. Shannon was released five days back and some are literally up in arms that UM has hired a new coach “yet” – as if that’s how it’s done with anyone other than a Gruden-type.
Should Miami’s top brass hire a dud, pick up the bitchfest then and complain away.
Five days into the process and having swung for the fences with the first prospect, Hocutt and staff deserve some credit, as well as your patience.
Despite the reports, Gruden was a long shot and his turning down Miami isn’t an indictment on this program. UM is a different breed and it’ll take a special guy to get on board, maximizing with this school, team and city have to offer.
We’ll delve deeper into the Miami “list” and some other options the Canes are looking at.
Until then, focus on the bigger picture, appreciate the fact that UM’s administration cares more about football than you thought and give them the time to get this thing right.
You owe them at least that much after all they’ve done for U since Saturday.
When Jon Gruden went to Tampa Bay, he went to a team that was built to win a Super Bowl.
Just like that, he wins a Super Bowl.
After that, we slowly saw the fall of that Tampa Bay team and Jon Gruden found himself out of coaching.
Jon Gruden wants to coach in the NFL.
As an NFL coach, I don't think he's all that.
If he did Become the U's coach, I have no doubt that he would do a great job.
Too bad.
I guess he can't see the forest for the trees.
I think your being a little harsh on us Canes fans.As a long-time supporter (1980)Canes football has become a passion.
Sometimes this passion overloads & gets the better of us.I do think MOST are on the same page though.
We all have different opinions,that's good,opens up debate,but sometimes this leads to friction.It is what it is.That said,hire T.Tuberville!Peace.
"…those seeking the story are as much to blame as those who reported it."
Are you kidding me? The "reporters" fueled the fire by all the reports that Gruden was coming. The fans were simply reacting to positive news. Had the news NOT suggested Gruden was coming, then the fan reaction would have been tempered.
I admit I got caught up in the whole thing, which of course leads to disappointment when the truth comes out. Never again will I have any faith in the bloggers, reporters, fake reporters, or twitter guys.
Who are these "sources?" I'm starting to think some reporters completely fabricate their "sources" in order to self-promote….which is stupid, since all it does is destroy their own credibility.
The whole media circus the last couple of days reminds me of 14-yr old high school girl gossip. I'm embarassed I got so involved in the speculation. But those who reported all the news should be the most embarassed.
I don't understand your "posted by allCanes.com at…" part of your blog. Everytime you just post a blog it says posted at like 5 hrs before the actual time and I'm in the eastern time zone
I don't think a mea culpa is needed. You guys did well just letting us know what was going on beyond the field. So, the deal didn't get done. Move on and we'll see what the next turn in the road will reveal.
Keep up the good work.
Chard
I give them credit for firing Randy but that's about it. I'll give them credit when they actually fix the mess they created by hiring a young dynamic coach that gets the most out his players unlike Randy & Coker. I don't have confidence in this administration because of its track record, they betta get this one right. Im hoping & wishing they make a good choice.
let's face it
no gruden = short term failure for Miami.
an ugly firing by shannon could have been covered up by a blockbuster hiring, but since the "big name" hiring isn't happening, a short term failure for the Canes.
I can't believe it has only been 5 days since Shannon was given the boot and the rumors have exploded on the next coach. It feels like it's been a month already.
Columbus Cane
Come on Harbaugh! Daddy needs a new pair of shoes
I think in the back of our minds we knew this Gruden thing was a long shot at best. As it moved from long shot to possibilty we revisited that place in our minds when we felt that this program was invincible. I don't think people were upset with news as much as having that feeling taken away and having that feeling of uncertainty take it's place.
I think we need to reexamine ourselves in this whole thing. We have been spoiled because of our previous successes and I think we have accustomed to a certain way of thinking. We have this philosophy that because we are the U ,everybody wants to just coach here or play here and that no other options exist. So people start to make demands and say "get this guy" or "don't get this guy ". It may have been able to work 20 years ago but not now.
We need to get the fire back. The best way to do that I'd get guys that want to be here. Guys that are willing to put the hours in the heat at greentree during the summer becuase it will translate to victories for the U and not because pro scouts are watching. That' short term thinking was the mentality that Gruden wouldve brought here. He wasn't going to be a lifer here no matter how much money we threw at him. It wouldve translated to the players and 3 years from now brought us right back to here. I heard We just lost 2 of our highly rated recruits but I'm ok with that because like gruden it shows they didn't really want to be here. Let's get the 2 or 3 star guys that will play hard and show up instead of 4 star guys that won't give it their all because on paper they think they are already better than everybody else. Mike Leach is campaigning like a mug trying to get a job here. I hope the Kirby and Donna give this guy a fair look. If you talk to TT fans you'll notice the majority of them wished he was still there. Some former player testimonials are positive as well.
I think your being a little harsh on us Canes fans.As a long-time supporter (1980)Canes football has become a passion. Sometimes this passion overloads & gets the better of us.I do think MOST are on the same page though.
Goes for all of us Walter. Writers included.
I was referring to the folks who are trashing Ferman on message boards and the folks who were shredding him on the radio today.
Two days ago everyone was hanging on the guy's every word like he was a prophet and when he proved wrong, they turned on him like a lynch mob.
We all wanted a big hire and we're all disappointed. That said, we all need to be patient as Shannon hasn't even been gone a week.
let's face it, no gruden = short term failure for Miami. an ugly firing by shannon could have been covered up by a blockbuster hiring, but since the "big name" hiring isn't happening, a short term failure for the Canes.
IIWIS – Maybe, maybe not. IF a good coach is hired, then it could be a blessing in disguise. Definitely short term 'disappointment' but I wouldn't call it failure when going for one of the biggest names out there (who will be coveted by many NFL teams) and not landing him, but I definitely get your point.
I don't understand your "posted by allCanes.com at…" part of your blog. Everytime you just post a blog it says posted at like 5 hrs before the actual time and I'm in the eastern time zone
It's a few things: (1) I'm writing from the west coast, so it's always three hours behind and (2) the timestamp starts when we start writing an article, not when it's posted.
Are you kidding me? The "reporters" fueled the fire by all the reports that Gruden was coming. The fans were simply reacting to positive news. Had the news NOT suggested Gruden was coming, then the fan reaction would have been tempered.
JP, the point is nobody knew and there WAS no real answer whichever side you were on.
Some folks were saying it was a done deal as of Sunday and others were saying Gruden and Hocutt weren't even meeting.
You had former and current Miami players saying it was a done deal, as well as SEVERAL local and national media members. You also had other media folk saying the exact same opposite.
Back in the day, there was no Twitter, Facebook, etc. and you'd see on ESPN that Gruden and Miami were meeting. You'd read your paper the next day and a day after that you'd hear it was or wasn't a deal. That's it.
These day you had round the clock coverage and guys like Steven Rivera, the UM barber, Tweeting that IF Gruden wasn't the guy, he'd get a UF and FSU tattoo.
It's a chicken vs. the egg type deal. If fans weren't flooding message board, blogs, social networking sites, et al SEEKING the scoop, the sites would have no audience and wouldn't have the temptation to go over the top with outlandish predictions.
Both sides are part of the process.
Fans wanted to believe this was a done deal, so everyone believed 'sources' and 'gut feelings' like they were truth, while writers felt empowered to share scoop and took some liberties overselling the story.
Either way, it's part of the process and everyone can learn from it. A lot of folks wanted to believe this was true (I admit, I'm one of them) and now in the wake of hearing 'no', a lot of folk are off-base to direct their frustration at people who were simply reporting what they heard.
We're talking about UM sites run by fans and business people, bro — we're not talking about Newsweek or Time Magazine of thirty years ago.
IT IS AN ABSOLUTELY JOKE HOW SOFT SPORTS FANS HAVE BECOME. WHETHER IT'S THE CANDY ASSES IN CLEVELAND WHO ARE STILL CRYING OVER LEBRON LEAVING (WHEN HE WAS A FREE AGENT!!!!) OR UM FANS NOW MAD AT WEBSITE OWNERS AND NEWSPAPER FOLK FOR REPORTING THAT SIGNS WERE POINTING TO JON GRUDEN TAKING THE JOB.
YOU WANT TO BE MAD AT SOMEBODY? BE MAD AT THE KIDS ON THIS TEAM FOR UNDERACHIEVING THIS YEAR AND LOSING FIVE GAMES. THEY ALL TALK ABOUT NO EXCUSES, SWAGGER AND WHAT A GREAT COACH RANDY WAS, YET THEY WERE SLEEPWALKING THEIR WAY THROUGH TOO MANY GAMES THIS SEASON.
GETTING GRUDEN WASN'T IN UM'S CONTROL, BUT WINNING MORE GAMES WAS IN THIS TEAM'S CONTROL AND THEY FAILED MISERABLY.
IF YOU DON'T LIKE WHAT THE WEBSITES AND BLOGS ARE TELLING YOU, TURN OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND LET THINGS HAPPEN. WHEN YOU COME BACK ONLINE EVERY TWO MINUTES LOOKING FOR NEW NEWS, THIS IS WHAT YOU GET. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE AND IT'S ONE THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ANYMORE THESE DAYS.
In hindsight, I was way too caught up in the Jon Gruden stuff and am now embarrassed as a result.
I'm a 45 year old man with a wife and kids and I was checking this site and many others like a teenage girl waiting for Justin Beiber tickets to go on sale.
I admit I was caught up in the hype and I'm definitely more upset with myself for believing what I wanted to believe instead of really thinking long and hard about odds of this becoming a reality.
I've followed this blog for years and both Beast and AllCanes made if very clear they were reporting what they heard. I also read what Gary was saying on the other site and he definitely was looking to break the story. His piece on Tuesday night was very irresponsible. To the point where he edited it and started backpedaling about a half hour after he posted it. He went from saying that barring some last minute glitch, that Gruden was Miami bound to backing way off that. I never saw that kind of reporting here.
We are all to blame and we all need to remember that this is a process. Give it some time before going nuts.
In hindsight, I was way too caught up in the Jon Gruden stuff and am now embarrassed as a result.
I'm a 45 year old man with a wife and kids and I was checking this site and many others like a teenage girl waiting for Justin Beiber tickets to go on sale.
I admit I was caught up in the hype and I'm definitely more upset with myself for believing what I wanted to believe instead of really thinking long and hard about odds of this becoming a reality.
I've followed this blog for years and both Beast and AllCanes made if very clear they were reporting what they heard. I also read what Gary was saying on the other site and he definitely was looking to break the story. His piece on Tuesday night was very irresponsible. To the point where he edited it and started backpedaling about a half hour after he posted it. He went from saying that barring some last minute glitch, that Gruden was Miami bound to backing way off that. I never saw that kind of reporting here.
We are all to blame and we all need to remember that this is a process. Give it some time before going nuts.
Oh well, time to move on. I know the guy to take the program to the next level is out there. Glad the administration even made a move for Gruden.
allCanes, I know that your opinion nor mine matters when it comes to UM hiring the next coach. However, I would like to pick your brain and get your opinion on who YOU would like to see running the show, now that Gruden is out. I would like to see Harbaugh or Mullen. Stanford has become a very solid team, and Jimbo has his guys playing hard for him. I'm not suggesting Harbaugh is a viable option. He may be happy right where he is, and there's always the Michigan connection. But should it happen, I think Harbaugh would mop up down here. With Mullen I'm a little less familiar, but likewise has been impressive at State. I know we have to just wait and see, but I'm curious if you agree.
Brian – I am writing a piece tonight breaking down the coaching candidates and it will go live Friday.
My 1B behind Gruden is Jim Harbaugh all day long. If I were Kirby Hocutt, I'd have headed to Palo Alto straight from Tampa.
Michigan isn't going to fire Rodriguez until after the bowl game, IF they even let him go … and with a potential NFL lockout next year, I'd get very aggressive with Harbaugh.
As for Mullen, meh. Could be good, but might need more time. Either way, not a huge fan of having Urban Meyer's protege at UM. From a recruiting standpoint, why would you want UF coaches to say, "why play for the pupil when you could play for the teacher?"
More to come tomorrow and agree, NEITHER of our opinions means squat!!
Great post. As you have pointed out to me, you are a blog, no the NY Times. It is what it is. You reported everything with a grain of salt, rumors were reported as just that. The U is on the right track. Everyone will turn out fine, including Randy Shannon. It was great that they went after Gruden, I never thought he would take the job but it would have been wrong not to pursue him.
We have some great talent, RS is a great person who did great things with discipline and academics, now we will look for the best person to get us on the right track to win more games. When does the 2011 season start? I am ready, I would rather we took a little more time to find the right coach than just took anyone.
Old Cane – Glad to see we're on the same page here.
I would've liked Randy to succeed, but he didn't get it done and it was time for change.
It's been five days and Miami's admin deserves some time to get the right guy. If they don't land a good coach, people can be critical but it hasn't even been a week and people are already up in arms.
Way to own it, Allcanes.
This whole thing was a crazy ride and we all got sucked it.
I went back and rewatched the fourth quarter and overtime of the South Florida game and again, I'm happy that Randy is gone as there was too much talent to lose five games last year.
That really is what this past week was all about and you guys nailed it here. Miami deserves better and both Kirby and Donna get that.
Proud that our university stepped up and made the tough decision. Gruden would've been nice, but he wasn't the be all end all for this program.
Hasn't even been a full week yet. Let's see what Kirby's next move it.
You and Beast keep up the great work.
I was scared to death when I though we were really getting Gruden. I was just waiting for the email from Kirby telling me that my season ticket prices just doubled. Any other coach will probably warrant a 10 to 20 percent ticket price increase. I can live with that,
there doesn't seem to be a coach who will 100% be better than Shannon. I hope the fans didn't drive Randy out prematurely
Anyone else not buying the Gruden 0% chance statement?
Gruden is still being paid by 2 employers. We don't know the specifics of these contracts and when and how they are paid. Could put Miami liable for this current season if he left.
Jay Gruden – He is still coaching a team in the UFL. He may not want his team to know he is leaving and distract his season.
The Gruden deal is by far the most complex and difficult deal to make happen of all the candidates on Miami's list. Timing, money, and careful planning would all be huge factors in this deal. The probability of this happening in such a short time seams unlikely.
Im not trying to hold onto hope, Everything Ive read and heard seams suspicious to me.
The buzz and high anticipation we had this week that Gruden may be coming has to be a sure sign that Gruden will bring in a ton of money and attention to the school unlike any other candidate.
Blogger allCanes.com said…
Brian – I am writing a piece tonight breaking down the coaching candidates and it will go live Friday.
My 1B behind Gruden is Jim Harbaugh all day long. If I were Kirby Hocutt, I'd have headed to Palo Alto straight from Tampa.
Michigan isn't going to fire Rodriguez until after the bowl game, IF they even let him go … and with a potential NFL lockout next year, I'd get very aggressive with Harbaugh.
As for Mullen, meh. Could be good, but might need more time. Either way, not a huge fan of having Urban Meyer's protege at UM. From a recruiting standpoint, why would you want UF coaches to say, "why play for the pupil when you could play for the teacher?"
More to come tomorrow and agree, NEITHER of our opinions means squat!!
…….ditto!
Also…, I think it's more complex than Kirby walking into Grudens office and asking him a simple yes or no question.
Miami's lawyers would need all parties including Jon, Jay and Leavitt to send them their current contracts to see if they would be liable for any anything. I just dont see how this is even possible to accomplish in 24-48 hours
Even if Gruden and all his assistants wanted and agreed to the job. I still dont think we would know by now.
….Just my opinion. I just wouldn't rule out Gruden just yet.
Hey for what it's worth the past week has been more exciting and fun
than my beloved Canes have givin me all year (I went to my first Canes game in 1960)Like everybody has been saying we don't do things the same here in Miami, Greg Cote said early on that it would be a long shot for gruden, so I didn't read Cote again I only read what I wanted and what I wanted to hear, so keep digging and give us hardcore Canes some excitement
Thanks: Peace
I've been posting this everywhere I could. Tommy Tuberville has all the intangibles.Good coach,good recruiter,Canes experience,loyal& won't move on. After a LOT of thought'
,he should have been 1st choice.What's not to like? I don't see any REAL cons not to hire him.
Let's be honest guys, Gruden would have been sick in name only. Look at Charlie Weis at ND; he was a super bowl winning OC with an NFL dynasty (and I am a Giants fan so keep your Pats comments to yourself because I am right there with you….cheaters). Anyway we need a great COLLEGE coach. I know it seems like NFL>college; and while no one can disagree the players, coaches, facilities, etc are better the two styles are different.
Here is my argument, in the NFL a coach can make a team around his style of play and coordinate the team to suit his game plan. That is fine since there is always another QB, RB, X, Y, Z to fill that void if needed. College, however, is a different being entirely. You coordinate with who you have, not what you want. It is humbling to be a college coach and requires flexibility, creativity, and leadership. Look at Mullen/Meyer; they played to their strengths, first Leak then Tebow (now, well, looks like Mullen may have been the man with the plan). While Gruden’s super bowl can be challenged as inherited, I do not think he would have been willing to change for the team.
So with that I think we should move on from Gruden enlightened like allcanes is saying. We have been in the national sports debate for a few days, and whether you think the 'Canes look bad for not getting Gruden, he did take a meeting with us; and other coaches would love to be in that light. How many programs do you think could have actually gotten a meeting with him? Not many and that just shows the level of respect we as a university and an athletic powerhouse have. So cheer up, I have. I'll admit I had 'Gru Balls' for a few days; but now like the U in general am looking toward a blaringly bright future.
I was drinking the "Gruden Koolaid" like everyone else, but the more I think about it, the more I realize that The U fired Shannon REGARDLESS of the coach they were going to get to replace him. I always figured that when he got fired there was going to be a quick announcement and that some deal had been in the works even before the USF game. Now I'm thinking the opposite (after the Virginia loss, Randy was going to be fired no matter what).
Just heard on NYC radio that Gruden will be in @ UM on Saturday.
It's time to embracre the movement! Hire Mike Leach! Currently there are Canes flooding Kirby Hocutt's email inbox with endorsements for Leach! "Mike Leach for coach of the Miami Hurricanes" on FB! Enough with the "Miami only runs a pro style offense" crap! The elite teams in the country run a spread offense! Need some stats?
Mike Leach is a proven winner at the collegiate level (10 consecutive winning seasons, 8 consecutive 8+ win seasons, 4 9+ win seasons, 9 consecutive bowl appearances).
Mike Leach won with limited recruiting capabilities, due to being in a conference with Texas, OU, and Nebraska.
Mike Leach is an offensive genius (More than 150 NCAA, Big 12, and School records broken at Texas Tech/ 21 games scoring 50 or more points)
Mike Leach wants to be here!
Mike Leach has stated that he will be flexible with his salary, which would allow us to get an excellent staff.
The stories about his interview in "07 are false! The incident at TT was never proven!
Bring the Pirate to Coral Gables!
Any news/rumors/leaks? This silence is KILLING me!
GO CANES!!!