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29 November 2010
Its 12:07AM on Sunday evening where I reside and people are still flooding the message boards and blogs about Randy Shannon's dismissal and possible Head Coaching Candidates. I've read articles today about possibilities ranging from Jon Gruden to some guy that coaches San Diego St. named Bobby Hoke (I think). It always amazes me the amount of rumors that get going when a situation like the one we currently have Miami takes place.. Its almost comical to watch.. At any rate I will attempt in the next few lines to sort through the madness.
First Randy Shannon.... Let me start off by thanking Randy Shannon for the past four years as Head Coach at the University of Miami. He will always be a Cane and part of the UM family. Here is a guy who took a program that was in shambles with no direction to speak of and stabilized it. He has definitely left this program in much better shape than where he found it. He is a true mentor and a class act.. That being said, I wholeheartedly agree with the University's decision to dismiss him as football coach. The hard truth in College Football is that winning matters! No matter how you slice it, a coach at any Major University in the country will always be judged by Wins and Losses Ultimately... Mr. Shannon is a great mentor and a great person, but he was lacking in performance of his team, under his direction, on the field which was his job. 28-22 is unacceptable at the University of Miami. Kirby Hocutt said it best at the press conference today... The University of Miami must compete nationally for championships and be relevant in the college football world. I wish Randy all the best in his future.. I'm sure he will get another opportunity to succeed elsewhere.
Second, The Speculation... Wow, What a day on the blogs... Jon Gruden, Gary Patterson, Chris Peterson, Mark Richt, Greg Schiano, Jim Leavitt?, and the list goes on and on... I know as fans we all get real excited about the programs that we cheer for and become mini-advisors on what they should do and what decisons need to be made.. How about this, Let's let Our University go through its process of finding a new Head Coach for this program with as little rumor-mill speculation as possible. Today was the first time I've ever actually heard our AD Mr. Kirby Hocutt speak.. I was very impressed with his candor and tone today when discussing the current situation with the football program.. In fact after today I can say that I am fired up to have such a leader as our AD. He seems like a no no-nsense guy that is committed to finding the best individual to lead this program back to where it needs to be nationally. So.. I am asking politely.. As fans lets let the process take its course.. I know everyone has their favorite candidate, me included, but with this group as an administration and Kirby leading the way, I think we are in good hands.
The Assistant Coaches and Players... It had to be a gut-wrenching day today for these guys. I watched Jacory's reaction on Youtube and knew he had to be hurting. The players should be upset.. They have lost a man in Randy Shannon who many considered a father figure around the team. This should be a hard lesson of the real world for these young men though... When you don't produce in your job, or what you were hired to do, this is what happens. These young men showed a lot of character today. I think it was Leonard Hankerson and Jacory Harris who said that the players deserve the blame, not Randy.. Well?.. There right. I can't argue with that. As a team under Randy they underachieved this year. Its like anything... If your a sales manager at a business and your sales team underachieves then you, as a manager, get canned.. thats the real world. Might not be all the manager's fault necessarily, thats just the way it is... I think these players showed a lot today by coming out and putting the blame on their shoulders.. I agree with their assessment, It WAS partly their fault. The assistant coaches have the job of circling the wagons for one game. Jeff Stoutland and Co. have a major task on their hands keeping this team focused on the upcoming bowl game. The main Rallying Cry for the game should be Remember Coach Shannon (playing off of Remember the Alamo). Stoutland has to keep these guys focused on football no matter how hard it may be for everyone involved. Don't know why Whipple wasn't chosen as interim coach.. but I'll leave that alone for now.
Recruiting and the Future.... A message to all the current commitments that may be taking a step back in the wake of the events at UM.. Don't give up on this program.. This University has a great tradition of winning and excellence and will continue that into the future. The administration will get a new Head Coach in as quickly as possible and this new leader will begin the process of continuing Miami's winning tradition. If you have become shaky on your commitment.. Remember, no program in the nation has put more players in the NFL than the University of Miami..Its not even close. Mr. Hocutt also said in his press conference today.. Miami's best days as a football program are ahead of it. Its true that expectations and the pressure to win are high here, but by coming here you follow in the footsteps of legends who have come before you.. and it is up to you to continue the tradition. To the seven Commits and every other recruit UM is considering.. We believe you are the best group of athletes in the nation, and we are recruiting you b/c we believe in you and your potential both as students and as athletes. Don't give up on us.. We will never give up on U!
Mark May.. I was debating whether or not to post anything about this guy, but after the comments he made on College Football Final I couldn't resist. Mr. May.. You are a disgrace to your profression and should be ashamed of yourself.. The comments you have made about the situation at THE U are unfounded and totally false. We have never had great facilities.. And won championships. We have always played away from campus... and won championships. For your feeble little mind that worries about buildings and stadiums and Facilities.. Let me enlighten you on the situation at Miami.. Miami's Success has always been about atitude, the atitude of Refuse to Lose, Miami's success has been about passion and commitment, Miami's Success Has been about Dedication, Hard Work, and a Family Bond like no other school in the nation. Miami's Success has been about pride in a school and for a city.. Miami's success has been about putting the Best Athletes on the field on every single Saturday, going toe to toe and saying, I AM BETTER THAN YOU! And Winning!! Thats what the situation is with Miami Football. The next time you try to spout something out of your Pie Hole about the University of Miami Mark May... My Suggestion.. SHUT UP! Because no one cares what you think anyway... YOU SORRY EXCUSE FOR AN ANALYST!!!!!!
Closing thoughts.. Had to get that off my chest. So there's my take on things. We will hire a great coach and we wll get back to winning football games and get back to national relevance. I believe it... So everyone in the Cane fanbase just be patient, and once again, to the recruits, come be a part of the Miami Tradition. I am Excited for Next year.. We have a lot of players returning that have been thru the mill... Thats how character is built...That and a new leader is how this program can get back to national relevance as soon as next season. I, for one,believe... ITS ALL ABOUT THE U!!
