The Beast : Bizarro World

The last few days as I’ve been walking through the hallways of Hecht, attending various press conferences and calling into various teleconferences. I honestly felt like I was in Bizarro World.

It actually went back to the recent bowl practices, when we finally saw team action and got to talk to pretty much whomever we wanted. I was leaving UM everyday feeling like I had just been to some alternate universe; a universe so far away from the one that Randy Shannon created and closer to the one that existed under every previous coach I’d known covering this program back the past decade and a half.

Sure, Dennis Erickson was more open that Butch Davis and Larry Coker was easier to deal with than Butch – but Randy took the cake. You know from all my previous posts that I’m for openness, transparency, etc. and it’s not just for selfish reasons as a media member clamoring for more access.

I wanted more because I truly feel like UM fights so many uphill battles when it comes to getting a piece of the sports entertainment pie in South Florida. Because of that, the athletic department needs to be much more open. Nick Saban can keep things on lockdown in Tuscaloosa and a billion fans are still screaming ‘Roll Tide’ – even at a funeral, according to that recent ESPN promo.

It’s been really refreshing, having the ability to talk to Al Golden and this new coaching staff and it was such a joyful experience to chat up any player we wanted during bowl preparations. It’s the way it used to be and was a welcomed change. No more silly rules about freshman and assistants not being allowed to talk, or a head coach that stonewalls you just because his panties were in a wad on a particular day.

Still waiting on news regarding the rest of the staff and new additions. Expect a more detailed piece when the new offensive coordinator is named.

IN OTHER NEWS: There’s been some news brewing that some players are set to transfer or will leave early to enter the NFL Draft, but I’m not going to even give them the time of day by mentioning any names here.

The only guy with any business leaving is Brandon Harris and as of now he may only be rated as a low first round / high second round pick. Still, Harris will blow teams away when he interviews and he’ll test very well both on and off the field.

I think he’s making the best choice for himself, though I’m reminded of both Ed Reed and Bryant McKinnie made ten years ago, sticking around to help Miami win that fifth coveted title.

I’m going to guess that if Miami finished this past season with eleven wins and was on the cusp, No. 1 would’ve come back. Every other guy on this team – whatever name you throw out there – is making a horrible mistake if they do wind up jumping ship early. Don’t believe me? Go look up a guy like Nate Webster.

If Stanford quarterback and sure-fire first pick of the draft Andrew Luck can come back, any current Cane can come to the same decision.

Regarding those looking to transfer for whatever reason, leave. If you don’t want to compete, if you’re afraid of this new coaching regime making you work for your gig, bye. Have fun. Enjoy sitting out a year and trying to find your place. Miami is looking for competitors and this lack of grit / sense of entitlement has been an ongoing problem the past few years. Too many guys don’t want to get after it and when fans look as the sideline and ask, “how come so-and-so isn’t playing?” – maybe he didn’t want to work hard, earning a starting job.

SOME HOUSEKEEPING NOTES: A belated ‘thank you’ to all those who came out to the Titanic to watch the Sun Bowl. While the game was a disaster, those in attendance still had a great times. Also, props to Gerard Daphnis and Earl Little for helping us break down the game and an even bigger ‘thanks’ to Kevin and Eric over at Titanic for keeping the bar open on New Years Eve for us.

On January 19th Miami basketball hosts Florida State at 9pm. We’re going to have a special event that night when we do allCanes Radio and we’ll have plenty of guests, as well as food and beverages on hand, getting you ready for the Canes to take down the Noles. We hope you’ll come out to join us before the game.

If you missed this week’s edition of allCanes Radio, you missed another great show. We had a great chat with ESPN’s National College Football Blogger Andrea Adelson and CaneSport’s Matt Shodell. Andrea broke down just about every story in college football and Matt weighed in heavily regarding recruiting. Worth the listen if you have the time. Check the archives!

Lastly, congrats to Katie Meier and her Hurricanes women’s basketball team for taking down Virginia in Charlottesville for their fourteenth straight win! Tune in this weekend when the men’s squad treks to Clemson for a Saturday showdown.

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