Shannon's Contract Extension: Time to Get 'Er Done?

University of Miami football fans have been wondering what is holding up the signing of head coach Randy Shannon to a multi-year contract extension.  Let's take a closer look at this situation and the arguments for and against the extension getting done.

Shannon supporters claim that Shannon has improved the Hurricanes' record in each of the past two years by two games per season.  They cite the evidence that shows he has recruited very well, that he had to overcome an obvious lack of talent on the team when he took over, that last year's team was plagued by a rash of critical injuries and the fact that the team now appears to be poised on the brink of huge success going into the 2010 college football season.

Shannon doubters on the other hand claim that he has yet to even come close to winning the ACC and has lost games to teams that had less talent than the Hurricanes.  They point to the fact that Miami has ended the last two seasons on a negative note by losing to California in the Emerald Bowl in 2008 and Wisconsin in the Champs Sports Bowl in 2009. They also call into question Shannon's' game day coaching decisions, clock management issues and what some vaguely refer to as "media relations issues."

According to a recent interview with WQAM's Joe Rose, Shannon admitted that it's been difficult not receiving a contract extension, especially when it comes to recruiting.

"It's a challenge," said Shannon. "I'm not going to say it's not difficult. It's been a challenge for me and our coaching staff. . . .We knew we had to fill our needs on the offensive line and other positions. But it was a challenge to get the kids and the parents to trust me and our coaching staff that we're going to be here for four or five years. We had to go to schools that had coaches that believed in us because we had to convince the kids, parents and coaches.

"You have other schools that since I've been a head coach have been always saying that, 'Randy Shannon is going to be fired.' Now it's down to one year on my contract. It's difficult, but we'll keep working and it'll work itself out. We're going to keep coaching the guys on the team and keep recruiting and see what happens.

"We're all working to try and get it done. Me and Kirby Hocutt have been in constant communication about it and talking about it a lot. I want to be here and he feels the same way. We just have to get it done."

As a private institution, the University of Miami is not required to report coaches salaries.  However, according to various sources Shannon was paid somewhere between $900,000 and $1.5 million in 2009.  Regardless of what the actual number is that still places Shannon among the lowest paid coaches in the ACC.

So as a Hurricane football fan what do you think the University of Miami and Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt should do? 

Vote in our poll below and tell us how U really feel!

Comments

[Daytoncane]

bam.

[Texascane]

First?

[Canez1]

That's what she said....

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[calGaryCane]

FIRST!

[DZ8]

dam

[Daytoncane]

i always start first, but i never finish first.

get some.

[USAFCane]

With 3 votes in we are predicting that 3yrs with significant pay increase is what will win.

[DZ8]

I haven't heard anyone else comment on the story, I think from Barry Jackson, a couple of days ago. It was just a little blip in the story but it caught my attention.

They were talking about Matt Elam and how Miami might've had a chance at recruiting him but his coach said that Miami quit showing up at his school. When Whipple found out he was so pissed he flipped a table.

Some different possibilities on this one.

1. Randy/Hurtt thought getting Elam was a long shot so why waste resources on him. But shouldn't Whipple have been in the loop if that is the case?

2. Maybe we did have a chance at him but Hurtt pulled the plug too soon. I've heard other "whispers" that Hurtt wasn't perfect and made some mistakes this past year (Chandler situation).

Anyways, I was just surprised no one else commented on that. Any other thoughts on this?

[USAFCane]

flew 10 hours back to USA yesterday and will be here about 2 months. I watched 4 movies on the plane and didn't realise how bad things were on the movie front:

New Moon - fell asleep half way through. aweful, ooh who should I be with the vampaire or the werewolf boy without the shirt. look Dacota Fanning. The End.

Some movie about a female roller blade team - aweful, switched it off

The Damned United - english, not aweful but not great, saw the whole thing

The Blind Side - decent movie and a true story. I like it when somone overcome so much and makes it.

Movie reviews over

[DZ8]

The Blind Side - decent movie and a true story. I like it when somone overcome so much and makes it.

Movie reviews over

Posted by: USAFCane | March 15, 2010 at 04:13 PM

Haven't seen it yet but read the book. You are right, GREAT STORY.

[86Cane]

2. Maybe we did have a chance at him but Hurtt pulled the plug too soon. I've heard other "whispers" that Hurtt wasn't perfect and made some mistakes this past year (Chandler situation).

Posted by: DZ8 | March 15, 2010 at 04:09 PM

Could have been either or (1 or 2). I never heard Elam was headed to UM but there is a reason why Hurtt isn't here anymore. Randy gave the impression a year ago that Hurrt was his "best man". Not so much...

[86Cane]

FIRST!

Posted by: calGaryCane | March 15, 2010 at 04:00 PM

Calgary...welcome to The Space. Post here, post often!

[86Cane]

That's what she said....

Posted by: Canez1 | March 15, 2010 at 04:00 PM

She sure does talk a lot?

[WGT22]

WG - LOL I live in Charlotte and we are nowhere near pool days yet!

Posted by: CGNC | March 15, 2010 at 03:11 PM

The 80's will be heading toward the Queen City soon enough. Hang in there ... Til then, U always have NASCAR !!!

http://www.weather.com/weather/monthly/USNC0121?month=1

[Gin & Tonic]

Haven't seen it yet but read the book. You are right, GREAT STORY.

Posted by: DZ8 | March 15, 2010 at 04:24 PM

I can't wait to read the one about the defensive coordinator that got promoted to head coach at his Alma mater and led the team to multiple national championships.

[DZ8]

I'm working on it now^^^^^

[Caneslegend]

I am happy with all the decisions Randy has made over the last 3 years? No. Does he deserve an extension? Yes. 3 years but no more than that. The true test of his coach worthiness will be this year and the next. If he doesn't get it down he has to go.

Go Canes

[CGNC]

WGT - LOL you are right about that - not a fan of that though :-D speed up, turn left, speed up, turn left - LOL.

Caneslegend I am with you - this year will be very telling

[Cat 5 Cane]

I don't see a rush to sign contract now... randy is serviving on what he has.

Look at it next year, after NC game and sign him to a 3 or a 5 year deal, depending on wins in 2010 and how far we go towards NC.

[Buddy]

There is not one coach in Div 1 NCAA or NFL that will be coaching on the last year of their deal. Try and prove me wrong. Resign Randy now.

[woobirdsatsunlife]

Great article. (1 minor typo; "site" 2nd sentence, 2nd pgph. should read "cite")

[WGT22]

WGT - LOL you are right about that - not a fan of that though :-D speed up, turn left, speed up, turn left - LOL.

Caneslegend I am with you - this year will be very telling

Posted by: CGNC | March 15, 2010 at 04:45 PM

What's Ur favorite # ?

[roachcane77]

3 yrs, w/ significant... (Make him feel appreciated, but keep him hungry!)

[DZ8]

It is almost impossible to recruit on a one year contract. He needs to be re-signed to at least two years, but even that will be remarkably short and others will use it against us. Three years avg. between 1.5-2 million, with a acceptable buy out price tag in case we need to fire him. (We re-signed Coker way too soon and paid for it for awhile afterwards.)

[SlingBlade]

first?

[SlingBlade]

oh well..im a slow reader...

[Buddy]

There is not one coach in Div 1 NCAA or NFL that will be coaching on the last year of their deal. Try and prove me wrong. Resign Randy now.

[j.w.]

DZ- i'm with 86 on this one, the fact that Hurtt is not here anymore speaks volumes about how Shannon really felt on our recruiting success as well as the DL performance.

[DZ8]

Actions speak louder than words right?

Esteban I got your mock draft and as a Dolphin fan I'm not very happy. I want McClain AND Cody with our first two picks. Probably just dreaming I know:) I'll make some comments and email them back to you. Most picks make a lot of sense.

[SOUP]

Caneslegend I am with you - this year will be very telling

Posted by: CGNC | March 15, 2010 at 04:45 PM

I have only moderate to high expectations for 2010. VERY HIGH expectations for 2011.

The "Five Year Plan" will be complete by then. I hope, I wish, I know...

[SOUP]

There is not one coach in Div 1 NCAA or NFL that will be coaching on the last year of their deal. Try and prove me wrong. Resign Randy now.

Posted by: Buddy | March 15, 2010 at 05:13 PM

U are correct sir!

[j.w.]

There is not one coach in Div 1 NCAA or NFL that will be coaching on the last year of their deal. Try and prove me wrong. Resign Randy now.

Posted by: Buddy | March 15, 2010 at 05:13 PM

U are correct sir!

Paterno?

[mr troutman]

Holcutt will look like a moron once Randy and these Canes when the national championship soon. Shannon will earn his stripes and do what is best for this team. Holcutt is listening to Bs people anyways. The results speaks louder than words. Shannon took this program from a septic tank to a Marine general quaters( by the way are one of the clenest around) all in three years. He had to start freshmen to compete with senoirs and juniors from other schools. Well that time has passed and we are now close to our goal of COMPLETE DOMINANCE. One more thing Mr Holcutt who will get to replace him...Remember he has to recruit well in South Florida, know the high school coaches as well as know the Miami area and kids. No hick ass coach will do for Miami nor do we need so lame to come down that doesn't know Miami style ball. Imagine having lame Kiifin dowen here..WTF. U see getting a coach at Miami is no easy task.

[mr troutman]

3 yrs, w/ significant... (Make him feel appreciated, but keep him hungry!)

Posted by: roachcane77 | March 15, 2010 at 05:08 PM

Shannon will always be hungry...the money don't mean jack sh...$t without any titles. Some coaches make millions and still have their program looking like an Ivy league when it comes to sports...just plain mediocre. Miami has always done more with less.. Shannon will prove it to us this year with his measley contract dispute.

[86Cane]

55 votes...44% are for the 3 Year Deal.

[86Cane]

U are correct sir!

Paterno?

Posted by: j.w. | March 15, 2010 at 05:45 PM

Not sure on that one, but obviously a totally different situation.

[shwarma]

Montreal - Jeff Driskel from Oviedo is the answer to your question.

Randy needs a contract by summer when recruiting really heats up. I think this will get ironed out and I think that more money, low buyout is the way to go on a 3-yr deal:

1.65-1.75M with a $100,000 buyout

[86Cane]

I think that more money, low buyout is the way to go on a 3-yr deal.

Posted by: shwarma | March 15, 2010 at 06:15 PM

Shwarma...word on the street is that the buyout clause is one of the sticking points. As U may have guessed, Randy wants it high, UM wants it low.

[shwarma]

I know, and the thing is Randy needs to realize that he can't have both. His motivation to earn more is not get fired.

[canesteeler]

Shwarma RS is not going to sign a deal with a $100,000 buy out. I have questions about RS but he is being treated unfairly by the U. How in the hell is a coach is expected to recruit when he is a lame duck. If you want to play with the big boys act like a big boy. RS is being set up for failure by the University!

[canesteeler]

I don't want to start any shat but the blue bloods at the U are not happy with RS. I know for sure that other schools are telling white QB's to not consider the U because they will not get playing time. A very close friend of mine out in Cali has a son who happens to be white and is considered a top QB and the shat they tell me other schools is saying about the U is crazy! RS needs to take the kid gloves off and get this shat corrected.

[Sebastian(2001U G.O.A.T.)]

This is Miami

He is the as pure Cane as it gets. They shouldnt nit pick with the man.

Reward the man for what he has done

There is no way they can say he hasnt held up his end of the bargain up to this point.

Whats the reason to think he wont keep improving

Crap or get the hell off the pot with the contract Hocutt and company

[Sebastian(2001U G.O.A.T.)]

oops....meant it...he is as pure Cane

[shwarma]

I understand what you are saying Canesteeler but this is my point, Randy says he knows people expect a winner. Well if he expects it of himself, he should need zero buyout.

The system is unfair and its unfortunate its this dog and pony show with the admin and it hurts recruiting, but the reality is if randy were to get fired, he should be able to survive just fine and I am sure will be picked up for a NCAA DC or NFL position coaching job in no time.

[WGT22]

Shannon supporters claim ...

Shannon doubters on the other hand claim ...

Excellent unbiased points on both sides. It seems to me, and I have no inside info, but before this past season, Randy had a solid, but unspectacular extension on the table. He then basically chose to double down and play out 2009. Things were going great for him to have some upper hand Negotiation power to raise the stakes, but he lost that with an unspectacular finish to an overall improved but not "great" season. So the stalemate is on. UM's side. Where are you going to make a guaranteed 900k - 1.3 mil. a year for the next 3 years? Coach Shannon's stance. Where are you going to find a "Solid" Head Man at that low ball salary that would basically have to turn over the program and start from the 3rd. rung on the ladder where we were 2 years ago? Not to mention the PR hit for dumping a proven tenure "coach" after 3 straight years of steady improvement at the helm? Personally, I think the numbers are there. 1.1 - 1.5 mil. over 2- 3 years guaranteed with the University having the "option" for a 3rd., 4th. or 5th. year unguaranteed( it's that 3rd. and 4th, year in which I believe is the real sticking point here). Not out of the ballpark numbers, but very respectable nontheless.

Randy's a stubborn, egotistical, proud man that knows the coaching profession. But it is stubborn, egotistical, proud men make the best leaders, managers and coaches in life. Same can be said about the powers that be that run High profile Universities. These elitists scholarly types are even more stubborn, egotistical, overly proud men with a major dose of extreme shrewdness to boot. They do not like not getting their way without feeling very good about it. So, with things being the way they are economically and without any State Funding whatsoever, I really think Randy will have to come down with his monetary/life of guaranteed years demands more so than Miami will have to raise theirs to meet the Head Ball Coaches. Ultimately, management typically wins these standoffs and Labor concedes. Certainly some hardware like an ACC ring would have helped Randy's behalf. But that point is moot as well as any talk of where the program is, and how close they may or may not be to winning the ACC and competing for playing in BCS Bowls even on semi-consistent basis.(cue Miss Janet Jackson). I just hope things don't get leaked out and this thing begins to get Ugly. If that were to happen, the losers would be the Kids and us as loyal fans.

Like stated above, there is NO WAY Coach Shannon can enter this Imperative Season even without a undisclosed 1 or 2 year deal that would give him a chance to double down again through 2011.

OK, so who's deal is it ?

We should know soon enough when the first party blinks.

[shwarma]

I am not saying what I am proposing is fair, I just think its a compromise that is not ridiculous as some might think

[nemo2002]

Due to the economic situation no one else at UM is getting a raise. All construction is halted, including campus housing and much needed new classrooms. So, why should Coach Shannon get a contract extension AND a FAT raise.

What has he really done to deserve it?

WHERE'S THE ACCOUNTABILITY?

[canesteeler]

Shwaram I understand what you are saying but the business side says get as much as you can because loyalty is not a two way street. WGT22 I like your comments.

[canesteeler]

Nemo that aggument rings in the halls of every campus. Why is the president of the university drawing a fatt azz salary when the math professor is fighting for tenure? It is the business of college athletics!

[j.w.]

I agree Paterno is totally different, 86, that was the only name I could think of at the time and I'm always trying to find an answer. :)