Miami Stays In-House, Hires Defensive Coordinator Shannon

Written by John Hoben

Friday, 08 December 2006

Randy Shannon, a 40 year old African-American and career assistant coach and most recently, the defensive coordinator of the University of Miami football team was named today as the new Hurricane’s head football coach at a press conference this morning (Dec. 9). The Miami job became vacant when six-year head coach Larry Coker was fired following a tumultuous 2006 season as the team went 6-6 on the field but was embarrassed by an on the field brawl when playing Florida International University earlier in the season.

Shannon a life-long Miami resident was not the first choice of director of athletics Paul Dee to succeed Coker. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano had been contacted about the vacancy but declined opting to stay with Rutgers, a program that Schiano has resurrected to a national power in his six-year tenure at the New Jersey school.

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Texas Tech coach Rick Leach had shown interest in the job and was interviewed by Dee while both men were in New York for the College Hall of Fame festivities earlier in the week. It was thought that Leach would be hired on Tuesday based on the explosive offensive style of football he likes to coach but talks between Dee and Leach crumbled leaving Miami with the position still open. Perhaps one hanging point in talks between Dee and Leach was that Dee emphasized he wanted Shannon to be retained as defensive coordinator. Former Miami and pro quarterback Bernie Kosar had also shown interest in the job. On Thursday Dee interviewed Shannon for the job and decided to hire the defensive coordinator therefore keeping the job in-house.

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Shannon is widely considered one of the top defensive coordinators in college football and is the longest-tenured member of the Hurricanes coaching staff. Shannon is in his sixth season as defensive coordinator. His tenure at the university dates back to 1985.

Shannon's aggressive 4-3 scheme annually produces one of the nation's most opportunistic defenses. In 2005, Shannon's defense led the nation most of the season in nearly every category and finished No. 1 in pass defense (152.17 ypg) and pass efficiency (89.48 rating), fourth in total defense (270.08 ypg) and scoring defense (14.25 points), and 23rd in run defense (117.92). He was named Defensive Coordinator of the Year by Rivals.com. The UM defenses in 2002 and 2003 led the nation in passing yards allowed, and the 2003 unit was fourth nationally in pass efficiency defense (96.16 rating), while finishing second in the nation in total defense (257.5 ypg). The 2003 Hurricanes also ranked among the national leaders in scoring defense (fourth, 15.1 ppg). In 2004, Shannon's defense ranked ninth in the country in pass defense despite having three new starters in the secondary. That unit was led by consensus All-America cornerback Antrel Rolle, marking the fourth consecutive season that Shannon has coached an All-America defender.

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