The Beast : Giving thanks; talking with Kirby

The entire day I sat in front of my television, watching football and preoccupied with the blog I’d write tonight.

Up until the point where I actually started typing, I intended this to be a piece about giving thanks – and maybe I’ll still get there – but with so much confusion surrounding this program right now, I just can’t dive in that way.

While most of you were busy rubbing spices on your bird or spiking the egg nog, we had athletic director Kirby Hocutt on allCanes Radio this past Wednesday. While the interview was exclusive, there is some backstory which I need to explain and want to be open and honest with you, the reader.

A few months back I first got word that UM was going to announce an expansion of the Hecht Athletic Center and was told by several members within the athletic department that they wanted Kirby to come on our show to talk about it, which we were all for.

After last week’s story about the $5M donation for the Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence, I put in a formal request to the UM SID office to interview Kirby for this week’s show, which was granted.

While driving home from practice on Tuesday, I received a call from the athletic department with a specific request that I not ask any questions regarding Randy Shannon or anything football-related. This was requested due to Kirby being off limited to the media until next week, which I understood.

Of course I explained that if I conducted an interview with Miami’s athletic director and didn’t mention anything about the hottest topic amongst Hurricane Nation right now that my journalistic integrity would greatly be questioned.

I was given the option of either waiting to do the interview next week, or moving forward this week – to which I’d do my best to phrase my questions the right way, attempting to figure out where Kirby’s head is at. Plus, I really wanted to discuss the much-appreciated donation from the Schwartz family because as an alum this is something I’m extremely excited about.

My phone rang at 3pm ET on Wednesday, with Kirby dialing me up on my studio hotline, so I hit record.

Beforehand, I was sent a list of “suggested topics” to discuss. On that, a list of bowl possibilities, which made me smile. I figured if I asked about the bowl possibilities, it would open the door to some discussion regarding the state of Miami football, which he did.

Two major quotes that I felt were extremely important: “At ‘The U’, we don’t change expectations, we meet them” and “we expect to be relevant nationally”.

There were some other choice nuggets, which I urge you to check out, but let’s get back to the two aforementioned quotes. (FYI, Kirby leads off the second hour of the show.)

I keep telling myself not to read into what was said, but it’s hard. I can’t help but believe that Kirby is frustrated that the football team didn’t live up to expectations this year.

The one thing I didn’t get – and I don’t know if it’s good or bad for Randy – the Non-Endorsement Endorsement. You know what I’m referring to. Think of Jerry Jones two weeks before Wade Phillips was let go.

I’m pretty sure sometime this week we’ll get more from Kirby, but even to get what we did – we feel that’s a pretty good feather in the cap for all of us here at allCanes Radio.

We also had Ryan Hill on this week show and No. 13 has quickly become one of my favorite players; not necessarily for his play on the field as much as his growth off of it.

I wish I could somehow find some of the interviews I did with Ryan when he was a freshman receiver, putting them side-by-side with some of the stuff we’ve gotten from here this past year. You’d be just as amazed as I am.

Hill called himself a former “knucklehead” and to that point, I wouldn’t disagree. These days I’d say he’s a pleasure to be around as he’s turned himself into an amazing young man.

While Ryan gets the majority of the credit for being able to find his path to maturity, much of the credit has to go to Coach Shannon. Randy convinced Ryan to come back to defense, as well as several face-to-face sit downs which helped him see the light.

First and foremost, Randy’s job is to win football games and I get that. Still, you must understand the amount of obstacles that exist in the lives of his players and his ability to help these kids overcome such obstacles – it’d make you think twice.

The on-the-field record will decide if Shannon is the long-term solution for Miami, but his ability to get these kids to make something of themselves – that could truly be the more meaningful feat.

I know that every college coach is referred to as a father figure or big brother type, but Randy truly takes that to another level.

It may not save his job, but it certainly will save some lives and I promise you that’s not an overstatement.

Now to the cliche, “what to be thankful for” part of this piece … which I’ll keep short and sweet. Aside from friends, family and loved ones – be thankful for what you have, regardless of this team’s record, regardless of the head coach and regardless of where the Canes go bowling. Be thankful that we’re fans of a team that has provided more joy over the past three decades than any other program on the planet.

Only two over programs have won five or more titles since 1960; Alabama and USC, which puts Miami in pretty elite company. Of course that’s also what makes expectations more than lofty – but it also means we’ve made some amazing memories watching this team.

Sometimes we got so bogged down in the negativity that we forget to take a step back and realize that pretty much every other school would love to have the run Miami had. Things may be on hold for now, but another run will come again as there’s simply too much talent, tradition and history for the Canes to be down for too long.

Oh yeah and be thankful that we don’t live in Jordan, Montana where it was 22-below zero the other day. BURRRRRRRRRRR!

Don’t forget to interact with me on Twitter and Facebook during the game and look for a USF recap Sunday night or Monday morning. Go Canes!

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