Sure, their polls and headlines aren’t purposefully malicious – just utterly pointless. It’s all about ad revenue, so the ESPN folk turn non-stories into stories and make non-news into attention-grabbing headlines.
This recent college football poll states that 83% of college football fans (50K or so of them) feel Randy Shannon will fail to win a national championship at Miami.
I have zero issue with 8.3 out of every 10 sports fans hanging onto this belief – nor should any Miami fan out there. A quick reminder for those of you out there who feel a sense of entitlement as Canes fans “expecting” more rings – it’s 2010, not the mid 1980s, people. The landscape has changed.
Your goal as a Miami Hurricanes fan should be for this program to be in the title hunt when every season kicks off. Where it goes from there has everything to do with luck meeting preparation, the football gods supporting your cause, winning the games you’re supposed to, superstars staying healthy and getting a few lucky breaks along the way.
Should all that come to fruition, your team and a worthy opponent will go head-to-head for a shot at a championship.
The Canes were ahead of the curve in the 80s, allowing this program to win three titles, while leaving three on the field. Between 1983 and 1989, Miami legitimately could’ve brought home six rings – ’83, ’85, ’86, ’87, ’88 and ’89.
For those trapped in yesteryear, a loud and blunt reminder – those days will never happen again. Let it go. There’s too much parity and big money in the game for one program to stay ahead of pack like UM did a few decades ago – focusing recruiting efforts on local talent, a brash attitude (not seen in most rah-rah college towns) and again, a perfect storm that the game had never seen.
National Championships aren’t any program’s birthright. What Miami accomplished between 1983-1991 was unprecedented – which is why we got a two-hour 30 For 30 on the subject matter last December. The Canes run was newsworthy because it was a rare feat.
Fans needs to see the difference between realistic expectations and lowering one’s standards, which will be what the emotionally-fueled, trapped in the ‘Decade of Dominance’ era Cane fans will cry when reading this piece.
83% of people think Shannon will never win a title at Miami, though the most important question is never posed; how long will Shannon be top dog at The U?
If his run ends in four years (or less), then the odds of winning a title are that much slimmer. If he has a Bobby Bowden or Joe Paterno-like run, spanning several decades, then who is to say?
Speaking of Bowden and Paterno, combined – the two legends with decades of experience – have less national championship rings than Miami won over a 19-year span. Bowden’s first came in ’93 and his last in ’99 – a decade that saw Florida State playing some of the best football the sport has ever seen. Legendary coach. A boatload of talent. A favorable schedule. Two rings.
Paterno needed a miracle and full-on Miami collapse to win his most recent ring – 1986 – with his first title coming in 1982, his seventeenth season at Penn State’s leader. Since joining the Big Ten in 1993, Paterno has only mustered up three conference titles, yet Miami faithful have lambasted Shannon for not winning the ACC after three years on the job (on the heels of inherited a depleted program.)
Jim Tressel needed a bogus flag to take Miami’s fairly-earned 2002 title, giving mighty Ohio State their first ring since 1968. In his two title game appearances, he’s had his overrated ass handed to him by faster, better coached teams. (Fate? Payback? As far as Miami fans are concerned, absolutely.)
Rich Rodriguez is making good money at Michigan, hailed as a savior for a program that spilt a title in 1997 but hasn’t won one outright since 1948. The legendary Bo Schembechler spent 21 years as the Wolverines’ head coach, winning 13 conference titles and 17 bowl games, but never won a national championship ring.
Pete Carroll got his 1.5 rings at Southern Cal this past decade, but prior to his arrival, the Trojans hadn’t won the hardware since 1978.
Carroll’s predecessor Lane Kiffin is reportedly earning over $4M this year – despite only winning 12 career games – proving how desperate USC is to ride Carroll’s successful coattails, overpaying his inexperience, one-time lackey to carry the torch. Defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin is said to be earning over $2M – more than Shannon and many others will take home as head coaches – but it’ll take more than two overpriced coaches to deliver the Trojans their next championship.
Mack Brown finally got his ring in 2005 – the Longhorns’ first since 1970 and only their fourth in school history. Brown had a shot at his second back in January, but left it on the field when a better Alabama team took out his Heisman-worthy quarterback. Further proof that the football gods need to be on your side; Colt McCoy was the most-winningest, experienced quarterback to ever play the game… and he goes down early in the championship game.
Urban Meyer had a hell of a run, getting two rings between 2006 and 2008 – Florida’s second and third titles for a program that’s been a the richest state power for years and has over a hundred years of football history.
Timing, chemistry and a new-look offense propelled Meyer’s Gators to the top on two occasions, but again the college game has caught up and the spread offense has become passe. Without Mr. Everything behind center, it’s a safe bet UF’s window of opportunity narrowed tremendously.
Tennessee football. Another hundred-plus year program whose last title came in 1998 and prior to that, 1967.
Nick Saban -arguably the best coach in the game – finally won Alabama’s first title since 1992. Before that, the big time Crimson Tide hadn’t won it all since 1979 and even SEC Championships were hard to come by. 2009 marked their first since 1999. Miami won five national championships since 1983. Alabama took home four conference titles during that same span.
Once a powerhouse, Pittsburgh claims nine national championships but hasn’t won one since 1976 and for all their money and power, Notre Dame hasn’t won a title since 1988 – the year their supposed “Catholics” stole one from Miami’s “Convicts”.
Then there’s a snakebitten program like Auburn, undefeated in 2004 but left out of the title game. This on the heels of an 11-0 run in 1993 where they were denied a title shot due to probation. The Tigers had a “good enough” team to complete both years, but fate wasn’t on their side.
Auburn also went 11-1 in 1983, but when No. 4 Miami upset No. 1 Nebraska, the title went to the one-loss Canes instead of the then No. 3 Tigers, who eked out an 8-7 win in the Sugar Bowl over No. 8 Michigan.
Three solid Tiger teams and no national championship since 1957.
Will Randy Shannon eventually get his ring? Nobody knows and with year four on the horizon, nobody should even pose such an open, pointless question.
Is Shannon capable of winning a title at MiamI? Absolutely. Especially if the turns out to be the lifelong dream job he hopes it will. That said, it’s not something to predict or to bank on.
Recruit well. Develop players. Build depth. Assemble a staff of solid assistants. Get better each passing year. Shannon’s focus needs to be making Miami a perennial title contender from this point forward. Keep the program humming. Become a BCS staple. Avoid any Coker-esque meltdowns or coasting that set the program back half a decade in a matter of years.
Work to keep The U in that handful of annual contenders and save the lame polls for online geeks who unknowingly are impacting ESPN.com’s bottom line.
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"U".
The question is who, would they like to see win a Championship in Miami. How is Larry Coker career working out he one a Championship and played for another time will tell.........
ESPN did a poll prior to the Super Bowl.
Everyone in the U.S., except of course those in the New Orleans area, were sure that the Colts would handle the Saints easily.
How did that turn out?
First I'd like to say good job on obtaining FACTS to present your point of view. It is almost impossible to argue FACTS and STATS but as you will see, someone is going to come behind me and try.
Shannon is a very good Coach who was raw and placed raw young players on the field as well. They both took thier lumps and are now getting ready to show they are growing and improving. Yes he made mistakes, but he also did things right on and OFF the field.
We must realize that Shannon started with off the field conditions first. Now it is and will continue to showup on the field. We will win some Titles. As you just pointed out, it will not be every year, but we will win Conference and National. I'm glad to hold season ticks to The []_[]. I will be there to cheer my team on year after year, but more importantly,Coach Shannon is seeing to it that these young men are going to win in the game of life! They leave the []_[] with a degree in their hands, and love in their hearts for their Alma Mater!
If by chance they win a NC in the process, so be it. But what they gain will take them thru the rest of their lives! Thats what real Coaches do! They care about their players, not just the trophy case! Thats what will seperate Coach Shannon from the rest!
Go Canes!!!
The question is who, would they like to see win a Championship in Miami. How is Larry Coker career working out he one a Championship and played for another time will tell.........
Julian, scary thing is that even with the best college football team ever (on paper), Coker almost blew the 2001 season with games at Boston College and Virginia Tech.
ESPN did a poll prior to the Super Bowl. Everyone in the U.S., except of course those in the New Orleans area, were sure that the Colts would handle the Saints easily. How did that turn out?
Good point, Willis, but a lot of that was just blatant homerism and wishful thinking by the New Orleans folks. The Saints pulled off the win, but it was definitely a big upset.
Regarding this poll, even the Florida voters were around the 80% range regarding Shannon not winning a title at UM... without having a clue how long his tenure will be.
I don't have much of a problem with the poll, only because most college football fans hate Miami, for whatever reason (title envy). For me personally, I want to be in the mix for NC every year and then it just comes down to the bounce of the ball. I think Shannon is getting the roster together needed to be at that level consistently. In addition, we need staff consistency which I think still need time, as I believe Whipple will be gone after this year. Shannon is getting us there. He has to recruit hard for 2011 since he now has some security and get those recruits that UF and FSU have been taking from us. We have to win those off-the-field battles as well.
On a side note, I will repeat again, I do not think we should play ND at Soldier field. Teams need to stop letting a mediocre program dictate anything. If they don't want to play on even terms, then find someone else who will. Go after USC or Texas instead. They're bigger names anyway.
Why is it that we continuously justify the inability to replicate our past levels of success by citing the "changing landscape of college football"? How does saying "this isn't the 1980s anymore" prove anything?
Yes, things have changed since then, but if you're going to say that we could have won 6 titles from '83-'89, then we just as easily could have won 3 straight from '00-'02.
USC was a ridiculous Vince Young performance away from winning their 3rd title (if Miami/Washington can claim a split title in 1991, then USC/LSU can do the same) this decade.
What about LSU? I noticed you left them out of the discussion. Two titles with two coaches.
A Decade of Dominance like the one we had is truly amazing, but there have been a few opportunities for teams to go on similar runs but have faltered. Who's to say that USC can't win another title or two in a few years? Same with LSU or UF? Look at what 'Bama has put together. Would you be surprised if they were in the NC at the end of this season? I wouldn't.
Point is, it isn't *impossible* to accomplish what we did in the '80s, so we should stop using the evolution of the sport as a crutch for our excuses.
Why is it that we continuously justify the inability to replicate our past levels of success by citing the "changing landscape of college football"? How does saying "this isn't the 1980s anymore" prove anything?
It proves that what Miami did in the 80s was an aberration, not a trend. Many in this fan base think there's some magic formula that will have UM repeating this feat - be it a 'better coach', locking down all local talent, regaining the 'swagger', playing loose/acting like thugs. There are a litany of reasons.
There is a larger percentage of this fan base that wants the 80s replicated again (seriously, check my Inbox). I try to drive the point home that the era is dead.
Yes, things have changed since then, but if you're going to say that we could have won 6 titles from '83-'89, then we just as easily could have won 3 straight from '00-'02.
I wasn't playing the would've / could've game. I was merely pointing out that a team with three titles in seven years was literally a game or play away from six titles. That's how dominant Miami was in the 80s and again, that era is dead and buried.
As for '00-'02, many more juniors are leaving early and had Miami won it '00, both Ed Reed and Bryant McKinnie would've gone pro - which would've had a huge impact on the 2001 Canes. (Davis talked both into returning and playing for a title.)
Guys weren't leaving early in droves 25 years ago like they are today. The money wasn't there.
USC was a ridiculous Vince Young performance away from winning their 3rd title (if Miami/Washington can claim a split title in 1991, then USC/LSU can do the same) this decade.
... and what USC did earlier this decade was unprecedented, which is why Pete Carroll was the highest paid in the game.
He also didn't sniff a national championship the past four seasons, again proving how hard it is for a program with (1) the best coach in the game and (2) superior talent - to win titles. This actually SUPPORTS my argument.
If Carroll couldn't roll the Pac-10 and win titles the past four years with the talent he had, why do Miami fans have a sense of entitlement and expect Shannon to bring home hardware - just because "we're Miami".
What about LSU? I noticed you left them out of the discussion. Two titles with two coaches.
Yup, at title with Nick Saban - arguably the best in the game today and eked one out with Les Miles in a topsy turvy season where a two-loss regular season still put them in the title game. Further proof of the 'football gods'. Auburn goes undefeated in 2004, winning the SEC and can't even GET to the title game.
LSU loses twice in 3OT (while eking out nailbiting wins on the heels of some BONEHEADED playcalling by Miles during the season) and gets served up OSU on their turf.
I could've easily brought up LSU but already made my point... but if you'd like it, here goes:
LSU won a title under Nick Saban in 2003 - a title game where USC was deserving of a shot, was shut out and earned half a title with a Rose Bowl win.
A few years later Les Miles winds up in the title game, despite losing two games - a rarity for title-bound teams in this day and age.
The Tigers dropped two games in 3OT - one as late in the season as 11/23 to UNRANKED Arkansas - and still winds up playing for a title. The following season Miles goes 8-5 and a year later, 9-4, proving that even with exceptional talent and having a program in that upper echelon, national titles are still hard to come by.
We should also note that before LSU's titles in 2003 and 2008, the Tigers lone championship came in 1958 -- taking almost five decades to recapture past glory.
For all the hype, LSU has three titles and UM has five... yet fans STILL expect the Canes to win it annually.
A Decade of Dominance like the one we had is truly amazing, but there have been a few opportunities for teams to go on similar runs but have faltered. Who's to say that USC can't win another title or two in a few years? Same with LSU or UF? Look at what 'Bama has put together. Would you be surprised if they were in the NC at the end of this season? I wouldn't.
My point exactly.
Miami needs to be "in the hunt" like a Florida, LSU, USC, etc. and as for Alabama, they're in the midst of a run with (1) arguably the best coach in the game who (2) inherited a much better program than Shannon inherited.
Saban will earn $4.1M this season for a reason.
Point is, it isn't *impossible* to accomplish what we did in the '80s, so we should stop using the evolution of the sport as a crutch for our excuses.
If it's not "impossible" how come nobody has done it since?
Florida State and Nebraska came close in the 90s and both Miami and Southern Cal had solid runs in the 00s... but NO ONE has come close to Miami's run between 1983 and 1989 and no one ever will.
That's not an excuse fact is college football has become big business since and there's MUCH more parity in the game. Programs that weren't even in existence three decades ago are competing now, as are perennial doormats who have since turned things around - due to bigger budgets, TV exposure, lush facilities, etc.
None of that is a 'crutch' and why you chose that word, I don't understand. Based on the current landscape of the game, it's asinine to predict or expect coaches to win a national championship in a said amount of years.
The tangible goal for every coach of a major program - and for fans alike - is for your team to be in the HUNT every year.
Shannon is entering year four. The talent is returning. The depth has been built. The contract is secure, which helps recruiting. A quality staff as been assembled... and for the first time in half a decade, Miami will actually start a season RANKED.
Those are measurables and that's what a coaching staff needs to be judged on -- not the ghosts of yesteryear.
as usual, the country shows there pure hate for the hurricanes. it's ok U fans, we will once again be on top. Let the haters keep on drinking their "hater-ade" It's all about the U! Go Canes!!!