A crazy 72 hours in Canestown, each new turn crazier than the next.
Many thought they saw it all when Miami’s coaching staff pissed away the final 2:41 minutes of the Emerald Bowl -18 plays amassing 17 yards, blowing the final timeout and utter chaos on the sidelines – with the game on the line.
A day and half later, offensive coordinator Patrick Nix is released and message boards light up like a Christmas tree. Knee-jerk reactions. Insults hurled. Armchair coaches quick to tell you what they’d have done, pretty much chastising Randy Shannon for continuing to exist.
Before the dust could settle regarding Nix, Robert Marve stole the spotlight and today’s headlines, officially requesting permission to transfer from the University of Miami.
Marve’s departure isn’t a surprise, though the drama surrounding it is. Names being dragged through the mud soap opera-style. Lines being drawn in the dirt. A situation that didn’t have to turn ugly officially has.
Eugene Marve granted a slew of interviews today, letting anyone within earshot know that his son got a raw deal. He painted Junior as the victim, Shannon as the villian and has turned the focus on himself by taking the low road, pouring his heart out for the Miami Herald… and anyone with a mic.
For those who want the short version… Robert is headed elsewhere after Miami granted his release. Marve cannot transfer to (1) an in-state program, (2) and ACC program or (3) and SEC program, which is proving to be the sticking point. Rumors swirled for weeks that Marve could end up at Florida, Tennessee or LSU. If Shannon has his way, Marve will end up at none of the three.
Not allowing Marve to transfer to a Florida school or a conference rival makes complete sense, but the SEC is a head-scratcher. That doesn’t happen without reason.
If there is more to that story, papa Marve isn’t sharing. His one-sided version of this story paints Shannon as a big ol’ meany, out to do nothing more than ruin Junior’s career. The Marves clsim to want the best for their son and lay no claim to any wrongdoing.
The rumor mill says Mr. Marve and/or Junior’s high school coach Robert Weiner, did some behind the scenes recon work Seems there’s been some talk with folks in Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa and/or Knoxville, gauging the interest level regarding the freshman QB.
The heart may have been in the right place, but the head knows better and this is an NCAA violation. The elder Marve is starting to look like the ultimate stage parent, while Weiner simply can’t let go and is trying to meddle regarding the career of his protegee, who graduated Plant High over two and a half years ago.
If all or any of the above proves true, Shannon has reason to be miffed. Blocking and SEC transfer isn’t the opposite of turning the other cheek, but it fits his ‘tough love’ approach and sends a message that the University of Miami isn’t playing any games.
Eugene Marve warns other recruits to pay attention to the treatment of his son. If they’re smart, they’ll instead focus on the mistakes of his son. Had Robert stayed out of trouble the past 18 months, no one is having this conversation today and Shannon’s hand isn’t forced by a player’s disgruntled family.
Randy-haters are using all this to fuel their argument that the second-year head coach isn’t on the right track, blaming their leader instead of the former quarterback who turned his back on the program and bailed on his commitment.
When does anyone remember a first-year quarterback requesting a transfer after starting 11 of 13 games? A perfect 13-for-13 had Marve not smashed a car mirror, missed four classes and continued to put self in front of team.
Anyone painting Shannon as the bad guy, reevaluate your processing skills. That, or quit your gig and earn a living as a defense attorney.
In this case, the plaintiff, Miami’s second-year head coach. A former player, assistant and current head coach that’s given 20 of his 42 years on this earth to the University of Miami.
The defendant, a first-year player who was originally Bama Bound, yet flinched at the final hour. Partly because Nick Saban took over, partly because he and his family were sold on Shannon.
Over the past year and a half, Marve showed his immaturity. A busted car mirror and run from the cops summer 2007 and this fall, benched for skipping class/showing up late. As the quarterback and leader of this team, looking to secure the starting job, Marve never got his priorities straight, on the field or off.
Instead of returning to prove he’s “the guy”, Marve chose to turn tail and run – again putting self over team. 11 starts to the 2 of Jacory Harris and Marve felt slighted. Fifty more attempts than the true freshman, yet claims of being ‘disrespected’.
A question for anyone blaming Shannon, where does personal accountability play into this equation? How is this on the disciplinarian instead of the disciplinee? One one side, a coach who lives and dies with this program and has for half his life, versus a kid who made his share of mistakes and never truly owned up to them?
Marve broke the mirror and ran from the cops. Marve showed up late or skipped enough classes to warrant a bowl suspension. Marve only mustered up 9 touchdowns to 13 interceptions, never separating himself from a true freshman with one less year in the system.
Marve felt he earned the starting job with 212 yard, 2 touchdown, 1 interception performance at Texas A&M. The rout of the Aggies proved the high point of Marve’s short career.
Whatever was ‘earned’ at aTm, Marve gave away when he regressed the next three weeks. Seven interceptions in his next three outings and a 1-2 stretch of football.
A potential game-winning touchdown sailed a few inches high in a loss to North Carolina. Pull ahead in the final seconds and Marve would’ve officially had ‘his’ moment and a legit claim as full-time starter. Instead, a 2-of-8, 6-yard, one interception performance in the first half against Florida State the following Saturday and a three-interception outing against lowly Central Florida a week later.
Marve proved he was serviceable, but never that he was a star in the making. While he proved to be a gamer, he never looked like a student of the game. Marve isn’t polished and needed to be coached up, which proved to be another task Nix couldn’t handle. Though Harris is a true freshman, there seems to be better instinct. Checking at the line. Calling audibles. Looking off receivers and finding his second and third options.
Harris also earned some signature moments, be it a game-winning drive at Virginia or proving he was the spark in a second half comeback at Duke, with a four-touchdown, 35-point performance. Against Cal, Harris showed poise – thrust into his second start in a long-distance, supposed no-win bowl game.
There were boneheaded mistakes, but there was also no quit when Miami was down 14-0 in the early going. Mistakes can be fixed over time and through repetition. You’re born with instincts and that innate desire to want it more than the other guy. Harris prove he has that. Marve never did. It may be deep within, but he got in his own way and as a result it was questioned.
Shannon stated on WQAM that he personally wishes Marve stuck around to compete. Regardless of all you just read above, so do I. In the short-term, the Canes were better with a Harris-Marve duo than without. Harris-Smith and Harris-Cook don’t seem to breed the same level of confidence and hope. No disrespect to Cannon Smith and Taylor Cook, but neither beat out Marve, so it explains the current opinion.
The only ones who wanted out were the Marves. The best man is going to win the starting job. There is no popularity contest, despite popular belief.
If Shannon wants to stay employed, he needs to win ball games. Whoever puts him in the best decision to do so, that man in your starter and he needs to take care of business on and off the field. Your quarterback is your leader and what is your leader saying if he finds his way to the doghouse on two occasions in one season?
Robert, we hardly knew ye. In time, hopefully you grow into the quarterback Miami hoped you’d be. All things being equal, you’re not that guy today. This rebuilding project is for a man, not a boy. Someone who is ready to roll up their sleeves and get dirty. Talking about leading the Canes – it makes for great headlines, but it means nothing if your actions prove otherwise.
As disappointing the Grove incident and bowl game suspension, you topped it with the decision to transfer. No desire to battle it out this spring, you waved the white flag, conceded and it appears you’re looking for a ready-made type program already in the hunt, instead of rebuilding where you committed.
Worst of all, blame others instead of looking within. Coach is too hard to work with. Feelings of being disrespected and not given a fair shot, though you were the starter every game this year. (Except the two you got yourself suspended for.) All your answers to these problems lie in the mirror, #9.
The good news? You’re a kid. You have a lifetime to get it right. The bad news? Only have two more years of eligibility to prove you can get it done on the football field. For what it’s worth, good luck. I pulled for you as a Cane, but now you’re a non-factor around here. As a supporter of The U, there are bigger things to focus on than the one who got away.
To the jaded portion of this fan base, before you rush to judgement, let this one settle in.
Only one person involved in this fiasco has the University of Miami’s best interest in mind. He’s the guy who’s still here and the one who will work tirelessly to fix what his predecessor broke.
For everyone else in this production, it’s completely personal.
It’s amazing how you nail it everytime. You so often say exactly what I would if I could.
Newspapers and other sites remain blindly loyal and need to keep the advertisers happy, so they bite their journalistic tongue. Not you.
This is a fan’s site and it’s run by a fan who actually knows what the hell he’s talking about and isn’t an embarrassment, like most of the mongoloids who troll message boards just to start fires.
This is all on the shoulders of Robert Marve. He proved he’s a quitter and not a fighter. Even worse, the stage parent of a father Eugene Marve is proving to be.
Loving your son is commendable, but all the sour grapes spewed to the media and the personal attacks on Randy Shannon? You’re only making yourself look like an asshole, sir. Great job by Coach Shannon taking the high road and not getting into a childish war of words.
This program didn’t fall apart in a day and it can’t be rebuilt with two classes. Miami needs the type of depth Butch built over six seasons. With no probation this time around, that can happen in 4-5 years. People need to exercise some patience.
Fight the good fight, Canes305.
A.R.
Amen!
he should have stayed and earned the job that was already given to jacory? just like he earned the job this year and jacory still split the snaps?
come on man, you can’t be this much of a homer, shannon played marve. he did the “the backup needs experience” crap so he could keep his promise of PT to jacory, and give jacory the job next year.
now if next seasons back up get’s a ton of snaps too, then i’ll buy randy’s story, some how i doubt that’s going to happen.
Like it or not, randy handled this situation poorly. Sure it’s easy to blame a 19 yeard old kid, but for all of the “randy took the high road” comments, he took the low road throughout the year.
it’s also nice to see “he started 11 of 13 games” as if that means something. Randy wanted to give the job to jacory, and couldn’t find a way to excuse it, so he found a way to drive out marve, just like he drove out tons of players last year.
This looks awful for recruiting, and we’ll probably never see another Plant player while randy is here, which thankfully won’t be much longer.
True, the things you say regarding Marve. Cannot disagree.
What I do see though, is a complete bias on your part towards Shannon. Marve made his share of his troubles no doubt, but you paint Shannon as being perfect, without any fault whatsoever. You take it to the exact polar opposite of that which you attack the Marves for.
So,,,, that makes you better than them too??
I don’t live in Miami any more, but I do watch the ‘Canes whenever I can. I’ve watched Randy Shannon the past two years to see how he’s progressing as a first-time head coach and it seems as if he is always a clueless bystander on the sidelines. Most head coaches are wearing headsets and actively talking to assistant coaches and players. Shannon always seems to be just watching, as if he’s a third-party participant rather than the man in charge of the whole operation. The last two minutes of the Emerald Bowl were soooooo painful to watch, I almost turned my television off. I was thinking back to the days when a UM team would have had a precision attack and marched downfield to score the winning touchdown. Instead, we witnessed the most pathetic two-minute offense I have ever seen. And again, Shannon looked befudled on the sidelines as if he didn’t know what was transpiring. Shannon was a great defensive coordinator but he’s in over his head as head coach. I can’t blame Marve for wanting to leave this mess. Unfortunately, it will take another painful season or two before U-Miami administration admits its mistake.
I’m not going to attack Marve, since it really serves no point at this time. He’s gone by HIS choice. I would just say that if a player wants things handed or promised to them and is afraid of competition, then Miami is not for you. If you’re worried about the depth chart, worried that you may not come out on top, then Miami is not for you. If you want to be respected but not give respect to those who have actually put in the time, then Miami is not for you. As far as the SEC transfer denial, there has to be some behind the scene reason for this, and if Daddy Marve was trying to pull some covert strings, then I guess that would be the reason. To me, I’d refuse to let him stay within the ACC, and no in-state school. But obviously Shannon is sending the marves a statement for something they must have done behind his back. I’ll just say that if you really don’t want to be part of getting back to glory, by putting in the time and sweat, regardless of depth chart, then Miami is not for you.
-Columbus Cane
Great entry. Chris! I agree with A.R. – you always seem to hit my thoughts exactly! Happy New Year and here’s to another solid recruiting class and more improved 2009 UM football team! Cheers!
This jsut proves that Robert Marve doesn’t have heart and that is what the U needs. i’m just glad he showed us he is a quitter with no heart via a transfer and not on the football field in 2009. He knew his starting job was in jeapordy after some impressive play from Harris. A part of me wants him to transfer to an in-state or ACC rival so we can show him in person what he walked out on. Then another part of me wants him to find a team where he can find success. I’m just glad I didn’t drop the $60 on his jersey like I was going to.
Dear Marve Family…Do me one favor…Take out your computer…go to Google…type in “Brian Fortay”…thank you….enjoy the arena league (if one still exists)..Either you’re a Cane, or you’re NOT a Cane…you obviously, are NOT a Cane!
—
Here’s a serious tip, Go to APP. State….Yes it’s 1AA but they just graduated their QB and contend EVERY year..and you can play right away…(well, if you can play that is)
Great Post AllCanes!
I really think that Marve was Academically ineligible for the game, & I also think he has been flirting with academic probation since he has been at the "U". This is why Shannon insisted that Harris had to play because he knew Marve was not cutting the mustard!
We must remember that Miami is one of the toughest schools to get into from jump street. Once you get in, you have to tow the line on the feild & off. Marve has not done that since he has been there, & Shannon did us all a favor as fans & made sure we had someone in the wings when Marve's own skeletons started to fall out of the closet.
I have NEVER observed anyone leave this program, go some place else, and exceed or even equal what they did at Miami!
Marve's parents need to realize that he is not 12 years old anymore, & if they don't soon let him grow up, he will end up serving a LONG prison term somewhere!!!
Shannon is doing it by the book, not taking short cuts for any of his players or staff. It will take a little time, but the foundation will be Cane SOLID!!!
Let's keep our heads up & Go Canes!!!
Later Bobbie……good luck. You’ll need it with your give up attitude. I read an article where you said “I loved being a ‘Cane and I’ll always be a ‘Cane.” No. You will no longer be known as a ‘Cane. You will be remembered by me as a quitter and an excuse maker.
It’s all yours now Jacory, go get ’em…….
Go ‘Canes
big pimpin
you’re completely right, marve was never a great qb and i was always wondering why harris wasnt get more oppotunities to get into the game especially against georgia tech where they were pretty much refusing to get marve out. Harris was clearly the better player and qb and i believe if they had their qb rotation in the bowl game, the canes would have got blown out
Go Jacory Harris and GO CANES!!!!!
Marco M.
I too, believe you are right on. Further, if I am Shannon, if the father of a college student is constantly wanting to meet with me to “protect” the interests of his star quarterback child, I too would be inclined to give him his release from the university effective immediatley. This behavior is detrimental to the team. Parents such as this are called “helicopter parents.” They are always hovering and attempting to micro-manage everyone who comes in contact with their little superstar. College athletes…and college students in general…should not have their moms and dads meeting with their teachers, coaches, university presidents, etc. to take care of mess created by the student. Marve should not have been late to class the first three times. It is time for this kid to grow up, accept the competition, and realize that maybe he has overestimated his talent level in comparison with others on his team. Marve has the golden opportunity to receive a free college education from a top notch school…whether he starts or rides the pine. It is an opportunity many students would kill for. Instead of stepping up and accepting responsibility for his actions he is taking the road more travelled. He is choosing to go somewhere where there is a nice happy coach with little competition at quarterback. For the rest of his life he will come in contact with coaches/supervisors he does not like and competition. The lesson taught by daddy: quit, move on, go to a place where everyone is nice to you and treats you like the king I think you are. Good luck finding that.
Regarding Marve:
It saddens me and I am disappointed. As with a little more polish and experience I think he could have been a good one FOR US. But it’s over now, so good luck to you wherever you end up. You’re no longer a priority as you’re no longer one of US.
I believe you made a big mistake. But you’ll soon come to find that out. As I believe your goal is to transfer to a top 10 contender program. My issue with you is your sense of entitlement or guarantee of anything. Perfect example, take Ohio State QB Todd Boeckman for example; now a senior and coming off a national title game (loss) the previous season. If anyone one should feel entitled, he should. But no, top programs stay on top for one primary reason, COMPETITION. In comes true freshman Terrelle Pryor who out performs him and gives OSU the best chance to win in the coaches eyes. Coaches of top programs always put the team first.
So if you think you sit a year and walk into some starting role because your Daddy asked them to, you’re sadly mistaken. Maybe on the D2 level, but definitely not at any top 25 program.
My parting shot and this is a lesson your Dad should have taught you, no one is born great, you become great!
Regarding OC:
Well Nix is gone so nothing more to say. The wish of many has been granted. Time to focus on what’s next, here’s my top 5 wish list. After reading this blog (http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2008/12/the-oc-name-gam.html), here’s who I like:
1) Mike Shula (would be a good coach in waiting)
2) Dirk Koetter (as he was Shannon’s primary choice all along)
3) Jeff Quinn
4) David Lee
5) Major Applewhite
6) QB coach – Ken Dorsey
7) QB coach – Bernie Kosar (good name to have on staff for the impatient fans)
Bye Bobby. Scram. If you’re too weak to compete, you’re too weak to lead this program back.
Harris is the man. He’ll get it done for three more years. As for a back up, Ken Dorsey never had a great back up during his run and that turned out just fine.
Randy will bring in more QBs in time. This is addition by subtraction for The U. Marve, his father and his idiotic high school coach are all proving to be cancers. Let them all rot elsewhere and ruin another program.
No preferential treatment here at Da U!!!!! U GOTTA EARN IT!!!
Agree with allCanes 100%.Marve was granted his transfer and stipulations /restrictions are not uncommon. On top of that he can appeal.
I think Marve or his dad are not helping themselves at all by trying to throw Shannon or th U under the bus.
What Shannon means to the U is obvious. He has spent his collegiate life and most of his post college time there.
Shannon’s success as a head coach is still a story in the making. His success at instilling discipline and responsibility in young men is already proven. I think showing up on time to class and not getting into trouble or arrested are reasonable expectations. The reality is most of the team including Jacory(as best I recall) did not create any of these type of issues.
An Old Man told me once when I was much younger. “Either you are part of the solution, or you are part of the problem”. Choosing to leave means to me you are part of the problem. Maybe Marve should call Willie Williams on his daddys cell phone and ask him how’s that transfer working out? Later Marve. You don’t have what it takes to be a Cane.
How much longer till fottball season?
540 Cane
Our program is a joke right now.
Shannon’s decision to restrict Marve’s transfer options so severely is petty. The kid is from Tampa and is being left with hardly any decent regional options. Stupid move by Shannon as it will only lead to even more negative press. Or will that negative press “help us more than we’ll ever know”, Randy?
If Shannon is such a great coach then why all the instability? Defensive coordinator fired after year 1, offensive coordinator fired after year 2, now the once-touted “savior” QB transfers…how can anyone feel good about that? If I was a top recruit, I’d be steering clear of The U right now, and that should never be the case.
The writing is on the wall, folks.
We may not have the buying power to land a Saban, Meyer, Stoops, etc…but we should at least be able to find a candidate with experience who won’t be in over his head.
Didn’t AllCanes report that Leach was interested in the job but rumors of alcohol problems nixed his candidacy? If so, that speaks volumes about the idiots running our program right now.
Sorry guys, but I have no confidence whatsoever that Randy Shannon can turn this thing around.
I felt better about my Canes during the probation years.
-Tampa Cane
Well I have been spending alot of time surfing the Miami message boards and blogs and it is clear that this fan base is split down the middle. Half the fan base sees these developments as a sign of instability and incometence on the part of Randy Shannon; the other half sees this as another bump in the road back to glory! Personally, I am in the middle; while I am definately not impressed with Randy Shannon the coach in his first 2 years, I also don’t believe it is panic time just yet! We are a 7 win team that could have been a 10 win team, playing in the Orange Bowl. As far as Marve goes, anyone who thinks we are better without him is crazy, we just lost all of our depth; however the team is better off without the distraction of his immaturity and heartless nature! The restrictions on his transfer are perfectly acceptible to me based on his back alley dealings with Tenn and LSU! In regards to Nix, our offense was boring, predictable and ineffective and he should be gone! For me, I think Randy Shannon has about one more year to get this thing going or Cane national is going to start forgetting what he means to this program! Do I want a national title? Not yet, but I need to see more consistencey from this team in 09.
Tampa Cane,
I don’t think the program is a joke. It’s improving – last year, no bowl, year before that, 6-6 (before the bowl game). I think the problem is that it’s not improving as fast as we want. This upcoming season is really going to “tell the tale” of where the program is. Personally, I think it is headed in the right direction. Maybe it’s false hope, only time will tell. There is bound to be instability as RS builds this program back to where it used to be – I’d much rather him drop the dead weight sooner than later. The fact that he dumped both OC and DC in two years makes me think he’s not afraid to make necessary changes – neither of those guys needed to be held onto. RS had to get a DC as he promoted up to head coach – and Nix wasn’t the first choice as OC. Had the first choice been hired, there probably wouldn’t be this “instability” – who knows.
As far as Marve and RS being petty, perhaps he should’ve left the kid more options. Maybe just restricting him from transferring to other ACC teams or any team in FL may have been more appropriate. But, who knows what really happened with Marve and the U. This, like most other things, probably has much more to them than most of us know. And honestly I didn’t see all the greatness in Marve that many others did. I’ve got nothing to base this on other than hunches, but I think Marve was destined for mediocraty. I think he had other issues off the field and more would occur that would eventually bite him in the arse – AND those issues would’ve affected the whole program negatively. Don’t get me wrong, the kid is a great athlete, but I don’t think we was going to be the savior. I think Jacory Harris’ numbers were better than Marve’s, other than his total passing yards. However, when you consider Jacory Harris didn’t have as much playing time, his number were better all around.
Again, just my gut feelings. I do believe in RS, but next year will either show my faith was right, or show me as a chump. I hope it’s not the latter.
Jamie – FL Panhandle Cane
I was in Georgia watching ESPN up in a cabin when i saw the alert on the ticker at the bottom of the screen. To be honest i wasn’t sure whether to be disappointed, or give a sigh of relief. Like many fans i expected marve to be the spark that this program needed to get back on the right track. And as we all know things didn’t start so well when he had to sit out his freshman season. Then to top it all off the following recruiting class has a highly-touted qb in Harris. So it went from having the job to wondering how good the newcomer is to taking it from you. Even if you win the job on the practice field, can you hold the job when a W is on the line. I was never for the 2 quarterback system, but without it we never would have seen what Harris had against Virginia. Could marve have brought us back, maybe and maybe not. But to be honest i think by transfering your showing that you don’t have what it takes to be a Miami Hurricane. I don’t know the reason for the transfer except for what i saw on ESPN. The way i see it is like this, he f*cked up a few times and feels that Harris will be starting qb come next season. Is it Shannons fault, NO! From the moment he came in people knew he was going to tighten things up, and bring respect back to the U. He wasn’t the one that had marve bust a mirror and run from the cops, his parents should have brought him up teaching him to respect peoples stuff. Shannon let it be known that missing class and arriving late to team meetings, practice, etc. wasn’t going to be tolerated. He missed class or got late or whatever, who gives a sh*t? He did exactly what Shannon toughened up on, and Shannon let it be known that not even the starting qb can get away from punishment. Either way he jumped ship, and hes taking his sh*t with him. The Marve Era came and went, now its time for Harris to step up and be the man like he was in HS. The man is transfering and it has “All About ME” written all over it. A team player will be there whether hes a starter or sitting on the bench. Marve you “were” a Cane, you will never be a former cane.
Will this hurt recruiting i say a bit if your blinded by the whole Shannon is a bad man thing. But if players really check out the U, they will see that if you play with fire you will get burned.
From John Romano, St. Pete Times:
As a football coach, Randy Shannon cannot afford to be sentimental.
He has to make tough decisions, he has to step on toes, he has to put the University of Miami’s interests front and center whenever emotions threaten to get in the way.
As a father, Randy Shannon might want to lighten up a bit.
You may have caught the news that former Plant High quarterback Robert Marve has decided to transfer after his redshirt freshman season at UM. And you might have heard Shannon has thrown a few roadblocks in Marve’s way.
The basic issue is that the NCAA does not like football players moving willy-nilly from school to school, so it puts certain restrictions on transfers. For instance, a player typically has to sit out one season before he’s eligible to play for his new school. That’s not the problem here. Players also have to receive a release from the school they want to leave before receiving athletic scholarship money anywhere else. This is where Shannon has gone overboard.
According to the Marve family, Shannon issued Robert’s release on the condition he does not enroll at another school in the Atlantic Coast Conference. That’s not an unreasonable request, and it’s pretty common throughout college football. But Shannon supposedly has also put restrictions on Southeastern Conference schools, as well as any school in Florida.
That decision seems a tad petty. And vindictive. And maybe hypocritical.
It was just about a year ago that an offensive lineman at Florida International University decided to transfer to UM. Because he had redshirted one season and was a three-year starter, he had only one season of eligibility remaining. That meant he had to receive a special waiver from the NCAA to be able to play for the ‘Canes in 2008. He got the waiver and finished his college career as Miami’s starting center.
His name, by the way, is Xavier Shannon.
His father is Randy Shannon.
The cases obviously are different. Xavier Shannon is an outstanding student who had graduated from FIU and did not need an athletic scholarship at UM because his father’s job entitled him to free tuition in graduate school.
The point is, Randy Shannon had no problem with a college football player receiving a transfer to switch schools just miles apart when it served his purposes. Yet he wants to keep Marve from playing at any school in this state, and dozens of other schools around the country.
This is Shannon’s right, but it doesn’t mean he is right.
Honestly, neither side is looking too sympathetic in this divorce. If Shannon appears catty, Marve comes off as petulant. He has encountered a few too many problems and whined a little too loudly during his time at Miami.
Had Marve handled himself more maturely in Coral Gables, there is a chance Shannon would not have been quite so coldhearted as the quarterback looked for the nearest exit.
And it’s not like Shannon is the first major-college coach to be stingy in these matters. Florida State’s Bobby Bowden and USC’s Pete Carroll have encountered similar situations in recent seasons. Bowden and Carroll both refused to grant transfers because they believed other schools had been tampering with their players. In both cases, the players appealed and were granted releases by the NCAA.
So it is possible Marve will get some relief from the NCAA, and he may end up at Florida, USF, LSU or Tennessee, all schools he is supposedly considering. It’s also possible Shannon will rethink his position and give Marve his release with fewer conditions.
Another option for Marve is attending a junior college, which would give him the freedom to enroll anywhere in 2010. This is how Matt Moore went from UCLA to Oregon State to the Carolina Panthers as a backup quarterback.
No matter how this plays out, Marve and Shannon should both consider the damage being done to their reputations.
Marve needs to understand the need to accept responsibility and quit blaming his troubles on others. Shannon had better recognize that future recruits and parents are going to take notice of a coach with an apparent vindictive streak.
Marve does not gain anything by bad-mouthing his former coach, and Shannon is not going to lose a major competitive advantage by letting Marve go to a school outside the ACC.
They clearly did not enjoy their time together, so why prolong it? One needs to be quiet, the other needs to be compassionate, and they both need to go their own ways.
Gamal, please do not bring up Mike Shula. Did you see him as coach at Alabama? He was God awful. He never should have gotten that job and was exposed as mediocre. I can’t see him as much of an offensive coordinator much less some coach in-waiting. The guy sucks, and the coaching genes were definately not passed down from Daddy. I have no idea who the next guy will be but from the list of Manny’s I would prefer Dirk since he knows how to get a passing game going while still being good at running. We are a pro style team and need someone who can come in and continue that tradition. We don’t run flavor of the month offenses here. We run pro style, one or two back sets and utilize the TE in the passing game. All that was lacking the past two years.
-Columbus Cane
I am not sorry to see Marve go, as Harris is clearly the better QB at this point.
However, I don’t think Randy should have blocked Marve from the SEC.
Randy has made a series of misteps,including the two QB system this year and I believe that if we don’t have a very good season next year, he will be gone.
There are reports that Marve’s dad was talking to several SEC schools ahead of time on his own. Apparently your not allowed to do that(i.e. gauge interest before a transfer is granted. If thats the casethen that may be the whole reason Shannon is blocking him from SEC schools.Alot of people say Shannon is being too restrctive. Obviously the restrictions placed on Marve maybe related to his dad’s actions.
I think It would greatly benefit coach
Shannon to be more open on this and most issues that interest the fan base.He is a man of few words. I think more positive PR on his part would be helpful for the U, recruiting(especially with the negative interviews by Marve’s dad) and those of us who are interested fans.
he should not be blocked from the SEC. ACC and FLA i completely understand, but to block him from te SEC is too vindictive. Stop Acting like a ASS Shannon…Restrict that!
I’m getting sick of seeing columns that bash Randy Shannon for deciding what schools Marve can’t transfer to. They now have a column on the yahoo.com website about how Marve is getting screwed by Randy and I quote, “shannon si trying to intimidate his other players-DARE TO LEAVE AND I’LL BURY YOU.” Is this guy serious? Shannon is the bad guy? Also apparently marve’s HS coach said that Miami will get no more players from his powerhouse program. Well, if the other players from his “powerhouse” program are quitters with fathers who control their lives…then we don’t want them. I also quote from the column, “Clearly at Miami you’re a piece of meat. If you’re going to go there you better hope and pray it works out. If not, they might try to bully you off to the other end of the country.” I’m guessing this guy is a fan of one of the potential transfer schools that could use a QB or the guy is just a jackass. i already e-mailed him and gave him a piece of my mind. I just guess that Miami fans are the only ones that can see through the story to what is really going on.
And the plot thickens:
After Marves dad drops the "we need Robert to stay close because of my cancer" excuse, Randy Shannon has agreed to allow Marve to transfer to any SEC school except Tenneseee, Florida and LSU. In addition, it appears that Miami is officially expressing their concerns of improper contact to Tenn, LSU and Florida.
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3806816&campaign=rss&source=ESPNHeadlines
I have tried to be fair to Robert Marve and see things from his point of view, but the more him and his dad bash Randy Shannon and the more clueless sports columnists (Dan Wetzel/Yahoo Sports) play the Robert is a victim card, the more I want to punch Marve in the face and tell him to grow up and be a man! This kid is a punk and I am glad he is gone! By the way if anyone wants to read the article and email Mr. Wetzel to tell him how much of a moron he is use this link:
http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/news?slug=dw-marve010308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
With all that being said, give me one reason that he should not play for a SEC team w/exception of Florida? F*** improper contact, because i have the balls to say it: if i was in Pa’ Marve’s shoe id’ do the same thing. to sit on someone elses blog and say that you wouldn’t is to be a Liar, and a cheat. don’t get it twisted i love the U! but that does not mean i cannot point out when we are in the wrong. BossCane i love you but like i said before: “Stop Acting like a ASS Shannon…Restrict that!”
With all that being said, give me one reason that he should not play for a SEC team w/exception of Florida? F*** improper contact, because i have the balls to say it: if i was in Pa’ Marve’s shoe id’ do the same thing. to sit on someone elses blog and say that you wouldn’t is to be a Liar, and a cheat. don’t get it twisted i love the U! but that does not mean i cannot point out when we are in the wrong. BossCane i love you but like i said before: “Stop Acting like a ASS Shannon…Restrict that!”
aceshigh….. first off, great screen name. Maiden rules.
That said, I disagree with your comments. IF Robert Marve didn’t (1) start 11 of 13 games this year and (2) wasn’t to blame for his own stupidity, which got him suspended, then I’d buy the argument that his folks and high school coach were doing what was his best interest.
As a parent or Marve’s mentor, Eugene Marve and Robert Weiner should’ve told Junior to get his head out of his ass and get his ass to class. Work harder in practice and learn the offense. It was that simple. Do your job and you’re next year’s starter.
Team Marve had a sense of entitlement. They felt the starting job was handed to Robert when he came to Miami. No one liked the fact he was competing with Jacory Harris.
If the Marves or Weiner were talking to LSU, Tennessee and Florida, you ABSOLUTELY lay down the law and play the role of hard-ass here. Let those schools get away with that and what’s to stop them from tampering with other Miami players. Nada.
This is a matter of principle and The U backed off it’s original stance of “no SEC teams”. Good enough for me.
If the Marves only reason for wanting to go to UF, LSU or Tenn is the proximity to the family; what is wrong with Georgia, South Carolina, Ole Miss, Miss St., Auburn, Vandy or Arkansas? All of these schools are farther south than Tennessee! If you ask me, Robert an the family are making themselves look real guilty right now!
Hey 305:
What is the deal with Jermaine Mckenzie transferring? Are you buying the whole medical reasons excuse?
What is the deal with Jermaine Mckenzie transferring? Are you buying the whole medical reasons excuse?
Caneiac, everything I’ve seen, read and heard has McKenzie leaving for two reasons – an inability to crack the depth chart and to reconnect with his brother Tremaine, who is headed to Memphis.
I think this is a tribute to the quality recruiting and raise in talent level at Miami. Two years ago the Canes couldn’t find a decent wide out on their roster. A year later, the position is deep and a kid like McKenzie is the odd man out.
Randy and staff recruited the hell out of the WR position and the newbies are tearing it up, while guys like McKenzie and Leonard Hankerson are sort of getting lost in the shuffle.
McKenzie and family have handled the situation with class (unline the Marves…) and their son simply wants to reconnect with his brother and to see the field by 2010.
I agree! Did you happen to see the High School All american game? We need to sink our teeth into Bryce Brown and do what we have to do to keep him at the U!
Robert can now go to UCF or USF now so they can no longer play the wanting “to stay close to home” card anymore. I hear they’re still not happy about it. Too bad. Suck it up. Let’s turn the page on Marve. He is no longer a Cane.
-Columbus Cane