SI’s Andy Staples fires first shot …

The overtime loss is barely in the books and already the national critics have chimed in. First to the party, Andy Staples of Sports Illustrated, who feels it’s time for change in Coral Gables:

“Miami’s next man?”

It’s definitely time for a change in Coral Gables.

Watching Miami warm up last week for its game against Virginia Tech, the volume of pure athleticism on the roster was shocking. Put Miami’s players in generic uniforms next to the players from Auburn, LSU or Oklahoma, and you wouldn’t know who played for which team. Yet in Randy Shannon’s fourth season at the helm, the Hurricanes are 7-5 and have yet to win even the ACC Coastal division.

It’s a shame, because Shannon has done everything right but win. His players graduate. They behave. They represent the school perfectly everywhere except on the field. Saturday’s overtime loss to South Florida was a prime example. Most of the Bulls chose USF because Miami, Florida and Florida State didn’t recruit them. There is no reason players Miami deemed inferior to its own should be able to come to Whatever-It’s-Called-This-Week Stadium and beat the Hurricanes.

The bottom line is this: Shannon produced a seven-win season with an 11-win roster, and The U can do better.

A smart up-and-comer would walk across broken glass to get the Miami job. It won’t pay as much as other marquee jobs, and while the Hurricanes have earmarked money to improve their facilities, they still don’t have the palaces other major programs do. What they do have is a roster that can win the ACC next year and compete for national titles quickly. Even more important is a fertile recruiting ground loaded with exceptional athletes who aren’t so young that they don’t remember when national champions emerged from the smoke at the Orange Bowl.

Who should the Hurricanes pursue? Mike Leach is jobless in Key West, but the Hurricanes don’t need to be an Air Raid team to win. They can collect the talent to run a pro-style system. Which brings us to Miami alum Mark Richt. Richt makes more at Georgia than Miami could ever pay, but Miami could offer a fresh start for a coach who never satisfied Bulldogs fans — even with six double-digit win seasons in 10 years.

Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen is another possibility, especially if he can convince Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator Manny Diaz — the son of Miami’s former mayor — to come along to Coral Gables. Mullen may prefer having an SEC job, but Mississippi State will always chase Alabama, Auburn and LSU for players in the SEC West. Win at Miami, and the four- and five-star athletes will beat a path to your door.

Shannon has had ample opportunity to return Miami to prominence, but he hasn’t gotten the job done. It’s time to give someone else a chance.

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