Mike Leach to Miami? We’ll see. But it’s definitely the latest stop in Rumorville.
Word is Paul Dee met with Leach this evening in New York. Both are in town for the National Football Foundation’s College Football Hall of Fame event. Several coaches are in attendance, so Miami is making the rounds.
Word on other sites is that things could move quickly here. One report had Leach’s agent has being contacted to speed up the process.
“Leach to Miami” would also shed some light on the rumors of Miami being in contact with Bob Stoops recently. Both sides have been talking, but no one has confirmed if this is a recommendation for Leach, or is Miami talking-talking to Stoops?
Earlier I read Miami could have a new coach as early as Tuesday. The latest reports now say the meeting was informal, but that talks could heat up.
I don’t know if Leach is the 3rd, 4th or 5th choice for The U, but with so many coaching vacancies out there, Miami can’t sleep at the wheel. But it also can’t overreact either.
Miami can’t knee-jerk their way into a hire. Coker got the boot ten days ago and consultant Chuck Neinas was hired to show everyone Miami means business. This is a nationwide search. It’s time to swing for the fences and get that A-list guy.
Leach is a B-list guy with an A-list offense. This job would make him or expose him.
A Monday morning meeting with Greg Schiano, turned down by lunch. A dinner meeting with Leach and talks are turning serious? That’s too quick for a headhunter to take Miami’s wish list, merge it with his own, contact all candidates, review information, discuss with the administration and make a decision.
College football’s regular season ended two days ago. Most coaches can’t discuss other offers until the post-season. Miami is officially 48 hours into the process. They can’t be at a point where they’re already offering the position to Leach. Can they? Is he that impressive or are Dee and Donna Shalala that desperate?
On Monday, Stanford canned Walt Harris and Louisiana Tech fired Jack Bicknell. Two more to add to the growing list of programs looking to hire new leaders in a hurry.
Miami doesn’t have to be desperate. Let Neinas do his job, interview a handful of guys, mull it over and make a play in the next ten days.
Unless you have that “ace in the hole” signed, sealed and delivered.
.:Canes305:.
So if Leach is the new guy at the U, what are the chances of keeping Randy Shannon as the defensive coordinator?
So if Leach is the new guy at the U, what are the chances of keeping Randy Shannon as the defensive coordinator?
Depends on Leach’s sales pitch to Randy as well as the other offers on the table. If Shannon is offered a head coaching gig at FIU or elsewhere, he would most likely take the money and run.
Miami would have to pony up some serious cash to keep Randy around after passing him over for an outsider.
I like your comments about the possibility of the canes getting either Stoops or Leach. Everyone knows that Stoops is a god when it comes to coaching; what a year OU is having despite all of the adversity it has had to face.
But Leach, he is an interesting candidate. If you havent read anything on him, read this: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/04/magazine/04coach.html?ei=5090&en=c9f46201dc95f91d&ex=1291352400&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss&pagewanted=all .
Leach may be the answer to our offensive woes. His schemes are just phenomenal and it seems as if he can make a winner at Kyle Wright and Kirby Freeman. The one thing that troubles me, however, is what do we do with Shannon? I really like him and think he can be an awesome head coach. But he is not UM’s top choice. So do we just sign our offensive genius and let our best defensive coach go?
I think I would rather have Shannon has HC than Leech. Sure his offense is nice, but you’re right. He’s a B list coach.
I also think Shalala and Dee have one shot at this…especially for Dee. And they both know it. So I highly doubt they’re going to have Leech sign at the line in the next few days because they’re going to keep looking for that A list person.
If they bring in Leech, Shannon is gone. If they bring in a star like Stoops, Shannon might just stay. I just really hope Dee isn’t just being desperate and not finding the best out there.
Lastly, this may sound drastic, but I rather have Shannon as an interm for the entire next season than have a mediocre coach ruin the next 5 years.
I think I would rather have Shannon has HC than Leech. Sure his offense is nice, but you’re right. He’s a B-list coach.
So you know, I don’t mean B-list as an insult. Leach hasn’t gotten his shot yet. This could be it and he could become a “next level” guy. That’s what Miami does.
Before The U, Jimmy Johnson was a good coach with sub par Oklahoma State team. Dennis Erickson was an unknown from Washington State.
Up and comers need to get their break somewhere. Will he return Miami to being a major player? Or will he sink us to Texas Tech’s level?
We’ll know if he gets the chance.
Very good points discussed by both sides….of course I’d rather take Stoops, but I won’t hold my breath for that. Just throwing this out there, how do you think Pete Carrol would do at the U?
Hey Cane Fans,
Maybe somebody can help me figure out what all these “Issues” and “Problems” that we have at the U. I mean all I keep hearing on TV is how we have all kinds of issues and problems in Coral Gables and no coach wants to touch the job. So my question is “What Problems” and “What Issues”??? You would think that there was a breakout of Leprosy at UM. Did I miss something are we on probation or under investigation??? Again,what problems? Yes we lost a brother and a team leader(R.I.P #95)but losing one player is not going to send the U into oblivian. the only problems I see are a bunch of spoiled athletes underachieving under a coach that was clueless and patted them on the back for making mistakes. I have to tell you I’m getting really annoyed with all the Miami haters kicking us when we’re down. Everyone acts like we got destroyed by every team we faced this year when in reality other than the Louisville game we could have won any of the other games with the right halftime adjustments.We lost 5 conference games by a total of 28 points,”wow we were just terrible”. Anyways I guess my point is I think it’s ridiculous that people act like we are so bad off,but I bet these smae people will pick us to win the ACC next season.
Caneiac1
Hey lodthemiamifan:
I like the Pete Carrol idea but it isn’t logical for Pete. He already has a good thing going at USC. USC is one of the few jobs that is as high profile as the U. He doesn’t really have anything left to prove at the collegate level. He’s already competing year in and year out for a title. I think the only other job Pete Carrol will take is in the NFL.