Merry New Year…

A very Merry New Year to all. 2006 is behind us and the future looks bright in 2007. The Larry Coker era has come to an end. Thanks for the memories, Coach. That said, welcome Randy Shannon. Let’s turn this thing around a.s.a.p.

The Smurf Turf Bowl wasn’t the rout most of us we’re hoping for. That said, a win is a win as this point of the season. 21-20 feels as good as 21-0 at this point. Miami got past Nevada and needed a game saving Chavez Grant interception in the final minute to seal it. Grant has made some heads up plays as a freshman this season, most notably a red zone fumble recovery against Houston to thwart a scoring drive, which Miami turned into their final score in the 14-13 mid-season victory.

Miami showed some promise and the defense again came to play, while the offense sputtered. Coach Shannon definitely has his work cut out for him on that side of the ball and appears to have a game plan. Info on that and more below in today’s news and notes:

>>> Shannon has gone full court press on Dirk Koetter and now the ball is the former Arizona State head coach’s court. Koetter was at practice last week, liked what he saw and is supposedly headed to Miami with his family to check out the scene. Word is that the final call will be a family decision. Koetter has two kids entering high school and his wife wants to make sure Miami is right for all of them. If it is, Miami will move fast with Koetter and look to have things signed, sealed and delivered by week’s end.

>>> Greg Olsen declared for the NFL Draft today and has hired Drew Rosenhaus as his agent. We wish Olsen the best, but I’m still frustrated with his overall body of work as a Cane. Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey and Kellen Winslow II, he wasn’t. He had the tools, but never made it to that next level… granted he didn’t have the quarterback play or offensive coaching those other three had.

>>> If Koetter doesn’t accept the Miami gig, I am curious to see who else Shannon has on tap. Before the hiring we heard that Shannon showed the top brass a detailed game plan of how he feels he could turn things around. I’ve recently heard that game plan included a three-deep list of coaches for each position he planned to upgrade. No other names have been mentioned, but if Koetter isn’t in the mix, know that Shannon has others targeted. Same for any other coaching vacancy which comes up in the coming days now that this is officially his program.

>>> Todd Berry called a decent game with Rich Olson ousted a few weeks back, but it wasn’t enough to save his own job. Word is that Berry is gonzo, as it co-defensive line coach John Palermo. Expect Clint Hurtt to take over those duties. Palermo did a bang up job with Miami’s d-line this year, so you have to assume personality conflicts had something to do with this. Was he a “Coker guy” causing Shannon to make this move? Who knows? Either way, best of luck to Berry and Palermo.

>>> No word on Jon Beason and his status yet. I’ve read that if Beason isn’t a first rounder, he will return. At best, I personally think he’s a late second rounder now. What does that really mean here? In my opinion, he returns. Gut feeling. Nothing else to base that on. I’ve also heard Calais Campbell’s name in the mix. Though only a sophomore, Campbell’s size, speed and skills have impressed scouts. Hopefully he stays true to his word (strong desire to get his degree) and sticks around Miami for at least one more season.

More to come this week. Until then, in the words of Billy Ray Valentine (Eddie Murphy), “Merry New Year.” I love Trading Places.

.:Canes305:.

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