‘U’ know what’s up…

Tidbits of “U” related stuff going on halfway through this first month of 2008. 

All things being said, I haven’t been in the mood to talk Canes. The lack of a bowl game made December through February drag like never before. No fun having your season end while still eating Thanksgiving leftovers. 

Recruiting season had some perks, but also its lulls. It was great seeing Randy Shannon reel in Arthur Brown, with Micheal Barrow getting the assist. Pure garbage to get strung along by Matt Patchan, in favor of Florida, while the Patrick Johnson renege and sideshow circus was just one more strike against an already pathetic recruiting process.

Don’t think I forgot about the antics of Lerentree McCray. It just doesn’t deserve anymore thought or convo. Good riddance.

In a surprise move, Shannon canned Tim Walton and has been on the hunt for a new defensive coordinator ever since. No ‘official’ hire yet, but during the process, wide receivers coach Marquis Mosely was also shown the door.

Sort of a ballsy move thisclose to Signing Day, but hard to question the process and mindset of the guy sitting on ESPN’s #1-rated class. Shannon is either en route to Jimmy Johnson incarnate, or this city’s next Cam Cameron. When you’re this bold, there’s no in between.

I believe the former, not the latter. Randy will turn this around. He’s too driven and well-schooled not to. Surrounded by all-time Canes as a player. Coached by Miami’s best and years later assistant coaching it. 

Almost two decades around this program, learning the blueprint for success. Learning from what didn’t work. Shannon just needs to restock the talent. Give it time. 

As for what’s going on Canes related, here’s the Cliff Notes version from a burned out, “counting down ’til Signing Day comes and goes” fan of all things The U:

> Talk of a new defensive coordinator surfaced this evening. Bill Young of Kansas. CSTV is reporting and everyone else is denying it. Critics are pointing to their wrong call regarding ‘Steve Spurrier to Miami’ prediction late 2006.

A pretty random rumor and under the radar type of name, so I’ll buy it for now. Sounds like a good fit and Shannon saw Kelly’s defense first hand at the Orange Bowl weeks back. There was the coaching convention which wrapped a few days ago where paths again could’ve crossed.

We’ll see how it plays out, but I’m all for the hire. It’s not a lame duck candidate coming in as Shannon’s puppet. Young had the 12th ranked defense in the country last season and was 4th in the nation in scoring defense with 16 points-per-game. He spent the past six seasons at Kansas under the tutelage of Mark Mangino. This could be a promising hire. Now about that receiver’s coach…

> … speaking of which. Every time a position coach is hired, can people stop throwing our random names of Miami alum for every gig? When we’re out a quarterback’s coach or offensive coordinator, folks start throwing out Bernie Kosar. With Mosely gone, today’s hot topic is Michael Irvin.

Great players don’t always make great coaches. Furthermore, there should be some gauged interest before throwing everything at the wall and hoping something sticks.

Kosar is loaded. Hell of a businessman. In his spare time, he likes to help the Miami quarterbacks and play cheerleader on game day. Same can be said for Irvin. His first love is running that mouth in front of a camera in an overpriced suit and collecting a hefty salary for giving his opinions – and like all media members, not being accountable for those opinions.

Why sign on with a private university and deal with all the red tape and bureaucratic nonsense? Infinitely easier to help on your own watch. Especially when you don’t need the cash.

Those quick to cite Barrow and his efforts, let’s not confuse great recruiting with great coaching. Funny how some praise Barrow, yet trash Shannon. Miami’s linebackers didn’t set the world on fire in 2007 and 5-7 falls on every coach on the staff.

Barrow is showing promise and is reeling in recruit after recruit, but he’s still inexperience. Before the one-year stint at The U, it was a year at Homestead High and before that, over a decade in the NFL. 

The staff doesn’t have to be 100% Miami Football alum to get the job done.

> Recruiting news – short version. Northwestern kids didn’t early enroll due to finals hold up. Some kids flip-flopping. End of story the next few weeks. All the real-deal, Miami lovin’ kids are in. Solid commits and vocal about it. Those still taking trips will talk out of both sides of their mouth until the wee hours of February 6th.

Recruiting sites make their bank this time of year, so they lay it on thick and play on the suspense. I’m over the game. Wake me on the 6th.

>  I don’t talk enough Miami Basketball here, but I need to give some love to the only winner in South Florida these days. 14-1 going into yesterday’s loss at Boston College. Two losses mid-January is huge and a weekend win over Georgia Tech in the ACC opener was a good start.

The Tech game was sold out and the next home match up is against #1 North Carolina on January 23rd. Maybe the Canes can return the favor on the hardwood and stick it to the Tar Heels.

With Miami football, the Dolphins and the Heat all in the toilet – it’s time to enjoy the lone winner in South Florida. Get out there and support Hurricanes Basketball. 

> I stumbled across the pic above out of the hundreds I took during the Orange Bowl finale. I’d see the ying-yang “U” chest guy on TV and needed that moment saved to digital memory. I also liked the fired up kid in the “305” shirt menacing like he’s in the WWE. To me, it was the last electric moment of 2007.

Coming off the OT loss to N.C. State, the air was sort of let out of the balloon. The Virginia game lost its luster all week, but once it was night time and almost kickoff, it was all about the finale. The record went out the window. This pre-game was three decades of big time memories all reenacted one last time.

The Canes laid and egg and then rolled over the final two road games. A four-game losing streak ended the season. It was pathetic. But for a good half hour before kickoff on November 10th, it felt like Miami was good again. There was something in the air that hadn’t been that way in forever. It was gone within minutes, but it was enough to let me know I want it back.

Time for Miami to get it together and turn this thing around. Down too long if I’m celebrating electric pre-game warm ups. Right the ship, Randy.

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