Does Randy Shannon really have a shot at being Miami’s next head coach? It depends who you ask. Paul Dee certainly thinks so. Reports out of Miami today are that Shannon is getting serious consideration for the top spot.
Personally, I don’t see it happening UNLESS all of The U’s other options result in dead ends. I think the top brass is throwing Shannon’s name in the mix in an effort to hedge their bets.
Miami has been candid in stating that Greg Schiano is their first choice, but right now it seems a 50/50 shot he winds up at The U. The Steve Spurrier chatter of a few weeks back has quieted, leading many to believe this was just another Internet rumor and possibly an effort to force South Carolina to renegotiate his contract.
Other names are being thrown around and rumors of the week? Jim Grobe of Wake Forest. Bob Stoops of Oklahoma. Steve Kragthorpe of Tulsa. Even recently fired Mike Shula of Alabama was mentioned in an article this morning.
All of this should be expected in a slow media week and one where several programs are prepping for conference title games or season finales. Answering questions and showing interest regarding coaching vacancies isn’t a top priority for these coaches right now.
Miami will have their man nailed down sometime between next week and just before the bowl game.
As this master list is complied, Shannon should be a part of it. Especially when thinking about the worst case scenarios. Should Miami be turned down by the aforementioned coaches, the only worse situation for the program would be watching Shannon get lured away during the hunt.
I personally don’t believe Miami wants to promote from within again, but they also can’t let Shannon head across town to FIU or to another ACC program. Shannon is a hell of a recruiter and he knows South Florida like the back of his hand. With Butch Davis at North Carolina, Schiano succeeding at Rutgers and the NC State gig opening up, the Canes can’t lose an uber-recruiter with South Florida ties.
Davis, Schiano and Shannon all recruiting South Florida for other programs other than Miami would be disastrous.
If Miami hires a defensive-minded coach like Schiano, obviously Shannon will hit the road in search of a new gig. But if the Canes were to bring in an offense-minded leader, the new could retain the 2001 Frank Broyles Award Winner for top assistant.
Yet another interesting sub plot in the search for the next great Miami coach.
Personally, I don’t think Miami will go with Shannon, but it’s smart business to theoretically put him a top their wish list with Schiano. After conference championship weekend passes, there will be several universities looking to replace their head coach. Miami. Alabama. NC State. Arizona State. Big time programs looking to land big time guys.
For Miami to not get “their guy” would be tragic. The only thing worse would be losing Shannon in the process. Especially to an ACC rival.
.:Canes305:.
I hope I’m wrong about thinking that if Shannon doesn’t get the job, he’ll be gone. I think he has really been great on that side of the ball for us and has done all he could do with the defense. I think he should get a legitimate shot at the job. I personally think we need a fresh, offensive minded coach which is the area that has killed us the last few years. I’m not saying throw him a bone, but if they hire someone else, at least give Shannon some kind of decision-making input as assistant head coach or something. I think he will be a head coach somewhere next year, be it Miami or somewhere else and he really deserves a shot somewhere. He’s put in his time and it looks like this is the year with several vacancies. I would hate to see him leave. If he doesn’t get the gig at The U at least make it worth his while to stay, providing the new coach wants him to remain. I hope that would be the case.