ACC Baseball Showdown: Canes vs Noles

An impressive series sweep over the Hurricanes’ recent nemesis UNC sets up a clash of the big boys in the ACC this weekend in Tally against the Noles.  Miami carries the better conference record into the game, but records mean little in rivalry games, and this rivalry is as fierce as any sports rivalry in the NCAA.  With both team residing in the top 14, and playing in the premier conference in NCAA baseball, this weekend series will have a playoff atmosphere.

For the uninitiated, much like in college football UM and FSU have been the most consistently strong baseball programs in the last 30 years. Miami and FSU have sent 33 teams to Omaha for the College World Series since 1980, far and away the most of any rivalry in the country. Although LSU has more titles during that stretch than the Canes, Miami has 20 appearances in the College World Series, easily outpacing Texas in second at 15.  Miami holds the ever-increasing record of 37 straight appearances in the NCAA tournament, and has won 4 National Titles including an especially satisfying 6-5 victory over the Noles in the 1999 Championship game. Miami also has won 47 games in Omaha since 1974, more than any other program during that period.

FSU has competed in 13 World Series since 1980 trailing only the Horns, LSU, and Cal State Fullerton.  Although their performance in Omaha has been somewhat disappointing, (0 National Titles and an overall losing record) they nonetheless trail only Miami with 32 consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament. In addition to losing to Miami in ’99, they also lost the title game to Arizona in 1986.

FSU’s fans have also gained a certain level of notoriety over the years by establishing 2 goofy but well-known traditions: Singing O’ Canada in the fifth inning to commemorate a come-from-behind victory over the Canadian National Team, and the “Animals of Section B,” a noisy group of miscreants so named for tossing free donuts back onto the field. Two years ago FSU nearly erased an 8 run Miami lead but fell short in a controversial time-shortened game, giving the Canes a series win. Miami went on to win the ACC and earn its 23rd World Series birth.    

This weekend begins with the 178thmeeting (Miami leads 92-82-3) between the 2 teams. I’d love to thrill you with my acumen by giving you the clear match-up advantages and challenges that will prove to be the difference in the series. However, Miami and FSU are almost mirror images of each other, being essentially even statistically when it comes to pitching, hitting and defense. They have nearly the same record, both are well-coached and both programs consistently recruit nationally ranked classes.

The differences this season are subtle. In general, Miami is the more aggressive team while FSU is the more patient. FSU works more walks, has a higher on-base percentage and scores more runs. Miami slugs for a higher percentage with more HR’s and extra-base hits than the Noles, and the Canes have a speed advantage illustrated by more stolen bases, legging out more triples, and doing a better job of going first to third or scoring from second on a single. Miami has also hit into only 14 double-plays this year, as opposed to FSU with 25.

Pitching is the strength for both clubs, as they are both ranked in the top 20 nationally in ERA, with UM’s staff yielding just 3.49 runs per 9 innings and holding opponents to a .238 batting average. Those numbers are exceptional for a college pitching staff considering the best high school hurlers go pro, and the use of the aluminum bat. FSU is not far behind Miami in pitching stats, but their approach is slightly different. Nole coach Mike Martin has been criticized in the past for overusing his starters, allowing them to throw 130 or more pitches in a game. Coach Morris on the other hand generally keeps his starters on a much lower pitch count, and relies on his bull pen more.

This season, FSU has had two reliable starters this season with Gilmartin and Gast, but has struggled of late on Sunday. Parker had earned that role coming off a strong sophomore season but his recent struggles, and relatively high ERA (6.31 is high for a starter) have led to some competition for the third starting slot. Their relievers have been solid nearly all season, much like the Canes, with the teams losing but a single game each all season when leading after 6 innings.

However, unlike Miami who follows the bull pen by committee strategy, FSU has a defined closer in Mike McGee, a hard throwing right-hander averaging more than a strikeout per inning as well as being FSU’s most productive hitter. His 0.59 ERA and .082 opponent’s batting average mean the Canes do not want to find themselves trailing late in the game.  

While FSU’s starters have been sound, Miami’s starters have been down-right strong. Erickson and Hernandez combined are below 3.00 ERA, have a strikeout/walk ratio of nearly 4.6, and hold opposing hitters below a .240 average. Those are outstanding numbers at this point in the season, and are substantially better than the Noles’ top 2. As a result, FSU has relied more on their pen this season than in years past, and those players have risen to the challenge so far.    

In addition to the long tradition of success by both programs, and the in-state acrimony present in most great rivalries, this series has the benefit of conference affiliation and old-fashioned bad blood. The ACC is annually the top conference in the sport, and this year the Canes are joined in the Coastal Division by two other consensus top 10 teams in GT (#3) and UVA (#4). FSU slots in at #8 in the composite poll, and with all 3 of these teams remaining on UM’s schedule, there should be no want for intensity this weekend.

The bad blood seems to have abated somewhat following Coach Martin’s decision to overcome his petulance and show some sportsmanship following last year’s match-up. What started with allegations of sign stealing snowballed into downright hatred and nearly boiled over into a brawl when the Noles’ skipper instructed his team to avoid the traditional hand-shake following yet another Miami victory. Fortunately Coach Morris, a former assistant under Martin at FSU, maintained his composure throughout the ordeal, but under that calm exterior simmers a desire to beat this team more than any other. That desire is matched by the players as FSU is clearly UM’s top rival.  

I won’t belabor the obvious about the import of this series, but given the balance of the regular season UM faces, and the NCAA tourney looming, the Canes would love to take this road series. Defense is often a deciding factor in a series such as this, and neither team has distinguished itself defensively, so errors (much like turnovers in football)may be the deciding factor.

One key match-up to look for in the first 2 games especially,will be if Miami can get its running game going against 2 left-handed starters and FSU’s catching tandem of Brunelle and Lopez who have done well throwing out base-stealers this season. Another will be whether UM’s starters (particularly Erickson and Hernandez) can work ahead in the count to pressure the patient Nole hitters. The ball carries well at Howser Stadium so it will be key for Miami pitchers to keep the bases clean, in spite of the relative lack of power shown so far this season by the Noles. Hopefully the ballpark will work to Miami’s advantage this weekend since the Canes rely heavily on the long ball to get the O going this season.

It should be a fun series, especially for Cane fans making the north by northwest trek. I’ve only been to that stadium once, but it was memorable. It gets no easier from now on so its time for UM to get it rolling and peak at the end of the season, instead of the middle as in 2008. GO CANES!  

Comments

[francis w]

nice write tup

[francis w]

I am up because ofh pain in my knees and already made & ate my breakfast Well done article on the BB teams Soup.

[CanesFanStuckInCali]

Wonderful article on Jimmy Graham, including some tidbits on the adversities he faced growing up: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/22/1591634/first-as-a-basketball-player-and.html

Gametime is set at 3:40pm for the OSU game!
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/22/1591844/tv-time-set-for-canes-buckeyes.html

GO CANES!!!

[Cat 5 Cane]

Coach Morris...

This past season, not only did he lead UM to its 37th straight postseason appearance, but Morris reached a pair of impressive coaching milestones. In UM's season-opening 6-1 victory over Rutgers on Feb. 20, Morris recorded his 1,200th win as a Division I head coach. With that victory, he became just the 18th coach - and the second at UM along with legendary coach Ron Fraser - in the history of D I baseball to reach the 1,200-win mark. Just over a week after that landmark victory, he added another notable win to his resume when he picked up his 700th win at Miami with a 2-1 triumph at No. 12 Florida on Feb. 28. Morris closed out the 2009 season ranked fifth among active Division I coaches in career wins (1,237).

Following the 2009 campaign, University of Miami Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt announced that Morris signed a contract extension through 2015.

Major League Guidance
Over 150 professional baseball players have played under Morris during their college careers at Miami, Georgia Tech and DeKalb.

....................................

Old article...
Salaries for College Baseball Coaches

Written by Jordan I. Kobritz
Thursday, 13 September 2007 ... Miami coach Jim Morris head the list, earning $600,000 per year in base pay.
http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1504:salaries-for-college-baseball-coaches-mirrors-popularity&catid=29:articles-a-opinion&Itemid=41

[Ungar]

Great article.

However, did FSU ever admit that their coach hald the players back?

Because they sure didn't hold them back when it came time to riot. in fact, when you watch the video, the Canes players are waiting, then the FSU players come out ready to fight, the CANES coaches get their players back in, and THEN the FSU players stay out, acting like they won a battle or something.

After it happened, I never heard Martin and son admit to the cause of the refused handshake followed by the attack.

But I am sure they did it. Of course, Cane haters claimed his actions were justified, but inciting a riot is never justified.

[Ungar]

"Following the 2009 campaign, University of Miami Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt announced that Morris signed a contract extension through 2015."

A six year deal? Reliability gets rewarded, apparently. Randy, take note, the school doesn't have a problem with six year deals, but you have to win a title first.

[Cat 5 Cane]

Ohhhh Jeez... good article!!! LOL

Thanks Soupster

[Ungar]

Oh, and 86, wear your body armor when you get up there.

And just to drive them nuts, when they start hurling insults at you, respond with "Que?"

Or do like we did to Gaston, and hold your finger to your lips and point at the scoreboard and go "SHhhhhhhh!"

That drives the hicks nuts!

[SOUP]

The article is by Mephistopheles. he is the official Canespace GURU.

Forgot the credits, again...I will add them this PM.

[SOUP]

Ungar...I ain't afraid of any Noles. Been to Doak Campbell four times. Don't worry:

"I GOT THIS"

[SOUP]

OK, RESEARCHERS, I NEED A FAVOR.

I need someone, anyone to research to recruiting class rankings for UM, Pitt, UNC and Rutgers for 2006-2009.

Your job is not to question why, your job is to do or die. Now get on it!

Out until late this afternoon...

[Da U N Houston]

Alright, enough is enough....Time to get RS's contract complete!

[Esteban]

http://www.youtube.com/user/E2you

Video of my first 5 choices for the draft.

in the description section it has the full mock listed.

who i think is going to be the pick...

who i would take if i was making the decisions.

[Ungar]

Today is DDay, as in Draft Day.

If one year ago, I had told you that a University of Miami tight end that had never played college football before could be picked higher than national title and UF Walter Camp (CT branch) winning tight end Aaron Hernandez, you would have laughed at me.

If one year ago, I had told you that a University of Miami tight end that had never played college football before could be picked higher than UF national title and Heisman trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow, you would have asked 86 to delete the obvious trolling message.

But today, Jimmy Graham has a chance to be drafted before both of them.

It will be fun to see if that happens. In fact, will a camera be on Tebow as the announcements are made, I wonder if the Tim Tebow draft Party will be sponsored by Kleenex.

GO CANES!

[Ungar]

The article is by Mephistopheles. he is the official Canespace GURU.

Forgot the credits, again...I will add them this PM.

Posted by: SOUP | April 22, 2010 at 09:11 AM

Other than the odd choice of two almost exact bench shots (FGCU 035 and FGCU 038), i thought it was awesome.

Consider me an official Meph addict! 8-)

[bg1906]

"Following the 2009 campaign, University of Miami Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt announced that Morris signed a contract extension through 2015."

A six year deal? Reliability gets rewarded, apparently. Randy, take note, the school doesn't have a problem with six year deals, but you have to win a title first.

Posted by: Ungar | April 22, 2010 at 08:50 AM

This is a BS post. Morris has 4 Nat'l titles and will be at Miami until HE'S ready to leave. Coach Shannon is asking FAIR MARKET price. He's not trying to break the bank. Duke's HC makes 1.7...DUKE what have they won in Football???

The school has to understand that times have changed and they have to change with it or get left out. They were willing to pay Schiano 2.2 MILLION??? What has he done??? 1 good season at Rutgers??? Here are the base coach salaries in the ACC including potential with incentives.

ACC coaching salaries: According to the Sun-Sentinel, here’s the ACC’s ranking of coaches according to pay for the 2010 season:

1. Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech. - $2.3 million ($3.33 million possible with bonuses)
2. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest - $2.17 million ($2.5 million)
3. Butch Davis, North Carolina - $2.15 million ($2.26 million)
4. Ralph Friedgen, Maryland - $2.03 million ($2.56 million)
5. Frank Beamer, Virginia Tech - $2 million ($2.42 million)
6. Jimbo Fisher, Florida State - $1.8 million ($2.6 million)
7. Dabo Swinney, Clemson - $1.75 million ($2.63 million)
8. Mike London, Virginia - $1.7 million ($2.27 million)
9. Tom O’Brien, North Carolina State - $1.52 million ($2.63 million)
10. David Cutliffe, Duke - $1.5 million ($1.5 million)
11. Randy Shannon - $900,000 ($900,000)
12. Frank Spaziani - $900,000 ($900,000)

So you have Duke, NC State, Virginia (and their coach came from D-IAA), paying their coach more than the STORIED Miami program. We are the CLASS of the league traditionally. Us and FSU. But yet Jimbo gets 1.8. What has he done??? I'll tell you, he won a Nat'l Championship as an OC at LSU. So what, Coach Shannon has a Nat'l Championship as a DC and had a Top 10 ranked defense every year. At MINIMUM they have to put him in the same ball park with Jimbo Fisher. All the coaches in the 2 million area have ACC championships and BCS bowls on their resumes as HC, so I can see why not 2 million, but 1.8 to match Jimbo is fair IMO. Then with incentives he could reach the 2 million area.

Read this article: http://www.allcanes.com/blog/2010/04/funny-how-money-was-there-in-2006.html

[Ungar]

Regarding how Canes fans handled the "Shhh" with more class than FSU fans handled the "U".

The player that shushed the Canes fans and then had it handed back to was named Gaston. So, from Beauty and the Beast:

Gosh it was fun to shush you, Gaston
Now you're so down in the dumps
The press wanted to interview you, Gaston
But you wouldn't take your lumps
There's no clown in town as laughed at as you
You're every Cane fans' favorite guy
Everyone's giggling at how your taunt backfired
And it's not very hard to see why

No one's hushed like Gaston
No one's trussed like Gaston
No one's head as incredibly thick as Gaston's
For there's no man in town half as silly
Perfect, a pure foolish clown!
You can ask any Tom, Dick or Manny
And they'll say whose team they just saw the Canes sat on

No one chokes like Gaston
Shushes folks like Gaston
No one's got the wrong finger on his lips like Gaston
He's known for his Premature "Celebrating"!
My what a guy, that Gaston!

Give five "hushes"
Give twelve "boo-hoos"
Gaston is the best
At giving his team a reason to lose

No one taunts like Gaston
Likes to flaunt like Gaston
In baseball game nobody pops up like Gaston!
For there's no one as overconfident
As you see he's got taunting to spare
Not a bit of him's going to the College World Series
That's right!
And every last one of the Canes will be there

No one hides like Gaston
Picks the wrong side like Gaston
In a tiebreaker goes oh for five like Gaston
His girl says he's early with everything!
Ten seconds for Gaston!

When he was a lad he worked in a library
Every morning to learn that shush move
And now that he's grown he thinks it's primary
Shushing in Games one forgetting the other two
Oh, ahhh, wow!
My what a clown, Gaston!

Makes you laugh, that Gaston
Cut down by half, that Gaston
Then doesn't apologize to the fans like Gaston
Then after game three he goes disappearing!
My what a clown, Gaston!

[bg1906]

^^^Pardon me Morris has 2, but the program has 4^^^

[Ungar]

"I need someone, anyone to research to recruiting class rankings for UM, Pitt, UNC and Rutgers for 2006-2009."

Scouts results below with averages:

2006
Pitt 11
UM 14
UNC 1 (oh wait, not USC, but UNC) 25
Rutgers 63

2007
Pitt 8
UM 13
UNC 14
Rutgers 28

2008
UM 3
Pitt 25
UNC 30
Rutgers 42

2009
UNC 6
UM 24
Rutgers 29
Pitt 31

Average
UNC 7.75
UM 9.5
Pitt 10.5
Rutgers 23

[Ungar]

bg1906, I wasn't discussing the salary amount. I was responding to those that claim Miami will not give long term deals to their coaches. Some folks said the Canes would not give a five year deal based on the Coker and Clark issues.

I was playing devil's advocate (and Shannon's Advocate) and showing that they WILL give a long term deal if they feel the person will perform on all those years. Morris has earned that confidence, and being the premier program means there is nobody that will outbid us on his contract.

In Shannon's case, they have his proven loyalty, but they have not returned that loyalty back to him until he gets some titles.

Hypothetically, let's say that he gets an ACC title and BCS bowl win this year, you wanna bet he gets his 3 year deal extended to 4? Or if he wins a BCS Championship, that there won't be an extension to 5 years?

Check my old posts on this topic, I have no problem with 2 million or more for Shannon if he gets there from incentives.

Here was my comment on 3/16/10 on the topic:

A mix of 1 and 2. 5 year deal (reward loyalty with loyalty) but with a less than major salary increase. Add incentives so that winning the ACC, a BCS game, and a BCS title gets him more money so that he doesn't coast in the bowl games.

Posted by Ungar on March 16th 2010, 12:48pm

http://polldaddy.com/poll/2898272/?view=results

That is from this article on a great website I found:

http://canespace.typepad.com/canespace/2010/03/shannons-contract-extension-time-to-get-er-done.html

I hope that makes my comment less of a BS post.

[Ungar]

Alright, that's eight posts in one day, way over my limit.

See you guys later,

GO CANES!

[francis w]

Ungar........ Tebo has stated he will not be at the draft thus we will not see any tears.
Fran

[bg1906]

I hope that makes my comment less of a BS post.

Posted by: Ungar | April 22, 2010 at 11:48 AM

Understood. I just have a very strong view on this and thing the University is botching this up and making it big mistake by not getting this done as quickly as possible. We have some momentum going into this year and this can be a big recruiting year even if the numbers are small. Lets not hurt ourselves anymore than we already have in terms of public perception. The whole thing stinks IMO right now.

J where are you bro! Tell them to get 'er done!

[WGT22]

Today is DDay, as in Draft Day.

If one year ago, I had told you that a University of Miami tight end that had never played college football before could be picked higher than national title and UF Walter Camp (CT branch) winning tight end Aaron Hernandez, you would have laughed at me.

If one year ago, I had told you that a University of Miami tight end that had never played college football before could be picked higher than UF national title and Heisman trophy winning quarterback Tim Tebow, you would have asked 86 to delete the obvious trolling message.

But today, Jimmy Graham has a chance to be drafted before both of them.

Posted by: Ungar | April 22, 2010 at 10:58 AM

.

1- Maybe but doubtful

2- No chance

Hope Graham goes to a Good team that's drafting near the ends of the 3rd. or 4th. rounds... A trade up in the very early 4th. is very likely.

Would love to see Manning or Brady utilize him.

[Canez1]

Aaron Hernandez the pride of CT!!!

UF loves CT TE's they took another kid Reed from CT this year.

CT in da house! Wha Wha

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[Six]

I hate FSU baseball

I don't respect them, I could care less about them and I'd be an awful skipper against them. I'd be worse than Jimmy Johnson vs. Ara Parseghian when he curbstomped him 58-7

If the Canes were getting beat and a Nole pitcher was throwing a no-hit shutout or perfect game late into the game ... I'd get some of my players to lay down a bunt to try and break up the no-no or perfect game. I wouldn't do that to any other team that I had respect for, you just don't do that, it's an unwritten rule in baseball - it's completely frowned upon to get on cheaply like that and you can expect retaliation. But, I'd do that to the Noles. That's how much I despise them

I never liked them to begin with, that's why I always found it odd when I'd hear Cane fans say they have respect for FSU. F-that. You have to earn respect and you don't do it by pulling the type of crap that Sr. Douche Mike Martin and Jr. Douche Mike Martin Jr. have pulled while playing the Canes

I didn't like when JD Drew won the Golden Spikes award in 1997 and I didn't like Buster Posey winning it in 2008. I lean more towards pitchers when looking at giving that award, simply b/c with a aluminum stick in your hand, you're going to get more production - the pitchers are pitchers, they have no distinct advantage.

Buster Posey hit .463 with 119 hits, 26 HRs and 93 RBI. Come on. You tell me he can hit that with a wooden bat. You truly want to see what these hitters can do? Have them play in the Cape Cod League where they use wooden sticks. If they tear it up there, props to them

The same year Buster Posey won the Golden Spikes in 2008, Aaron Crow from Mizzou went 13-0 with 127 Ks and 38 BB with a 2.35 ERA. Someone please tell me rationally how Crow shouldn't have gotten the Golden Spikes.

Or even Brian Matusz, who's a starter with the Orioles, who went 12-2 with 141 Ks and 22 BB with a 1.71 ERA

I hate those chicken yellow uniforms the Noles have as well. They look like a bunch of over sized Raisinetes packages with legs running around out there

The story I heard about the singing of O Canada from an FSU alum I work with is, in 1988 when the Calgary Olympics were happening .. the opening ceremonies were taking place during a Nole baseball game .. it was the bottom of the 5th and the Noles were losing .. someone in the crowd was humming O Canada b/c they'd heard it so much leading up the opening ceremonies, it was stuck in their head just like if anyone was to hear a song so much on the radio or whatever, they catch themselves singing it out of nowhere .. the Noles came back and won the game .. the people around the one person that was humming the O Canada tune attributed the Noles comeback and win as happening after that person started humming it - just like any other ritual in baseball or people do in other sports .. it caught on .. and little by little it started growing into people getting up and singing O Canada

Like I said before, it's going to be interesting this Sunday to see if there's another bitching/moaning melt down by the Noles, like a couple of years ago. Maybe this time, their fans will have learned some new racist lines to yell at the Canes team - maybe have some wittier things to yell than just "Go back to Cuba" or the old reliable "You Sp-cs" and "You Wetb--ks", like they did last time, while spitting at/on the Canes players and throwing things at them

I highly doubt it. It is Tally

[IraqiCane]

Great write up Soup.

GO CANES!!!

[Aqua]

I just wonder how you can get the numbers on the wages that employee's make at a private instution?

Do you really believe Randy Shannon makes under 1 mil a year?

I don't, and I don't believe it for 1 minute.

[Six]

According to Seminoles.com

"Sunday's game time was changed to an earlier start time due to travel restrictions for the Hurricanes in leaving Tallahassee."

Now how hard was that? Couple of years ago, when they had to play a shortened game on Sunday b/c of the curfew restriction, Mike Martin said that they could've moved the game up but he didn't want to b/c he didn't want people in Tally to choose between church and going to the baseball game

Then they cried about the game ending in the 7th b/c of the curfew rule

This time, they move the game up

I guess Mike Martin didn't really care this year about people having to choose between church and going to the game - then why be fake and say it in the first place a couple of years ago? It's also not like they don't have things called "early service" or for a 12pm game like 2 years ago, people could roll to the ballpark a little later after going to church, which usually ends at noon anyway - right? It's not like it doesn't happen everywhere else in this nation - people come to ball games a little late all the time

Idiots

[Aqua]

I also doubt Shannon makes 900k this year, what did he make 3 years ago? 600k? Those #'s seem bogus.

[j.w.]

I have the same questions Aqua. There is A LOT of speculation, rumors, etc. about what is being offered, what Shannon's demands are, etc. and please people, be careful and don't consider them facts. I am not attacking anyone here and respect all opinions, but UM is getting a ton of criticism for the Shannon contract based on what everyone thinks they know, and that's not cool.

[DZ8]

Good job Esteban but I couldn't find the descriptions part to read your entire mock.

[Cat 5 Cane]

Jimbo

Details of the new contract for Florida State head coach to be Jimbo Fisher,

Uncategorized, football — posted by andrew carter on December, 18 2009

-The term of the contract is five years. Begins Jan. 5, 2010 and ends Jan. 4, 2015

-Here’s how the guaranteed salary pays out:
BASE SALARY: $225,000
RADIO/TV/MEDIA COMPENSATION: $400,000
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS/PUBLIC RELATIONS: $675,000
APPAREL, SHOE, EQUIPMENT CONTRACTS: $500,000
TOTAL: $1.8 million

INCENTIVES:
-$50,000 bonus for winning the ACC’s Atlantic Division.
-$50,000 bonus for winning the ACC championship.
-$125,000 bonus for appearing in the bowl game designated the national championship game.
-$125,000 bonus for winning the bowl game designated the national championship game.
-$50,000 bonus for playing in a BCS bowl game that’s not the national championship game.
-$30,000 bonus for playing in a non-BCS bowl game.
-$100,000 bonus for finishing in the top 5 of the AP poll.
-$50,000 bonus for finishing in the top 10 of the AP poll.
-$100,000 bonus for finishing undefeated.
-$50,000 bonus for being named National Coach of the Year.
-$25,000 bonus for being named ACC Coach of the Year.
-$25,000 bonus for the football team achieving a 75 percent graduation success rate. The bonus will be calculated annually at the end of the summer semester.
-$25,000 bonus for the football team achieving a .925 Academic Performance Rating (APR). The bonus will be calculated annually at the end of the summer semester.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Fans respond...

Uh, I'm a Jimbo fan... but $1.85 mil for an unproven, first time head coach? I was thinking it would be in the range of 1.3-1.5

The goofballs at Virginia kind of raised the bar on ACC head coaching salaries

What's UVA paying now?

They're paying Mike London, that DIAA coach from Richmond $1.7M/year for 5 years.
A whopping 2 years of head coaching experience, both at Richmond.
...................................

Man, those are some expensive FSU shorts and shirts!!!

Cat5

[Cat 5 Cane]

Get your pop corn and beer!

Welcome to the show: NFL draft set to kick off in prime time

By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY
Something old, something new.
It's not a traditional marriage, but serious commitments will be declared during the 75th version of the NFL draft that begins Thursday.(7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN, NFL Network)

The draft will again be staged at Radio City Music Hall in New York. But here's a different twist: The NFL is instituting a three-day draft for the first time, with the first three rounds in prime time Thursday and Friday.

After a record 39 million viewers watched at least part of last year's two-day weekend draft, the NFL's most-anticipated offseason event is poised to generate even more buzz.

"In this league, we can adjust to a lot of things," Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome says. "We'll deal with the change the commissioner (Roger Goodell) has decided to do with this draft. Hopefully it will have the popularity it has had over the last few years, going in prime time."

The league has invited at least 17 projected high-round picks to New York — more than doubling the usual number of invitees.
More...

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2010-04-22-draft-pullout-preview_N.htm?csp=34

[Cat 5 Cane]

Tebow declines invitation to attend draft, decides to return home
By Jason La Canfora | NFL.com

Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, one of the most debated prospects entering the 2010 NFL Draft, has opted to return home to Jacksonville during the three-day event in New York.

http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d817aa5ce&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[Ungar]

Would love to see Manning or Brady utilize him.

Posted by: WGT22 | April 22, 2010 at 12:58 PM

What do you have against the Dolphins?

I want to see how Henne would utilize him. I am TIRED of the Dolphins ignoring the Pro Bowlers that was coming out of the U, and then seeing Ray Lewis and Ed Reed beating on the Dolphins.

Just saying, we have the opening at TE, and he knows the field real well by now.

[Ungar]

Aaron Hernandez the pride of CT!!!

UF loves CT TE's they took another kid Reed from CT this year.

CT in da house! Wha Wha

GO CANEZ!!!!!

Posted by: Canez1 | April 22, 2010 at 01:03 PM

So, when you write up that CT Top 50, make sure to include AH in that list. 8-)

[Gin & Tonic]

On the subject of the Randy and his contract.

It has been reported that the university has offered an extension with a modest salary increase.

Shannon has turned the modest salary increase down.

Is it the U's responsiblity to overly reward mediocrity?

Shannon has finished:

2009: 3rd in division T-4th in conference
2008: 4th in division T-5th in conference
2007 5th in division 11th in conference

That averages out to

4th in division and 7th in conference

WOW!! Let's back up the Brinkls truck and lock down these results for years to come.

Got nothing against Shannon. Just don't see how he thinks he should be entitled to a huge increase.

[Ungar]

jw and bg, how would you feel about giving Shannon a contract like Jimbo's?

5 years, incentive-laden, and rewarding scholastic achievement in addition to football achievement.

[Ungar]

Even though Tebow won't be in NY, I am sure there will be cameras on him when he gets selected.

I just wonder if they will have the cameras on him for all the misses before the hit.

[Cat 5 Cane]

Tebow... love him or hate him, the guy has class. Watch video on staying home.
http://www.nfl.com/draft/story?id=09000d5d817aa5ce&template=with-video-with-comments&confirm=true

[macjones]

Wonderful article on Jimmy Graham, including some tidbits on the adversities he faced growing up: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/22/1591634/first-as-a-basketball-player-and.html

Gametime is set at 3:40pm for the OSU game!
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/04/22/1591844/tv-time-set-for-canes-buckeyes.html

GO CANES!!!

Damyum! I was dreaming ' bout a national televised prime time NIGHT game in Columbus. I just hope this isn't one of ABC/ESPN's afternoon REGIONAL affair.

And IF it is one of ABC/ESPN's daytime regional affairs, then how does the network college football suits bloody JUSTIFY two Top 20 squads not playing a NATIONALLY televised game!

By the way, the Miami Herald story on Grahama was a GEM of a read! Albeit a short read. LOL

[Canez1]

Ungar LOL.

I made a joke the other day that the CT list will take about 15 seconds to make lol

:(

GO CANEZ!!!!!

[bg1906]

Aqua.

Whether we KNOW or don't know isn't the problem. What we DO KNOW is he's the lowest paid along with Coach Spaz @ BC. That is FACT. So no matter what it is, its NOT where the others are. I stick with what I wrote, he needs to be in the same ball park as Jimbo. They have VERY similar track records. He IMO is the measuring stick. The ones above Jimbo all have a lot of HC experience and some bowl wins and bcs births, but where Jimbo is is fair to me.

[bg1906]

Also as a DC he probably made 250+ K so becoming a HC that 900K if it is accurate was a major increase. Assistants are just NOW starting to make REALLY big $$$.

[bg1906]

Posted by: Gin & Tonic | April 22, 2010 at 02:46 PM

Modest or not, if the number is accurate 1.4 Million he's STILL the 2nd lowest paid. Its not the money to me that's the issue. Its the position and rank of what is fair based on what the other coaches in the conference are getting. We probably bring more TV revenue to the ACC than any other school. Look how many times we played on TV last year. I live in Maryland and saw EVERY SINGLE game last year on TV except for FAMU (Espn 360/Espn 3). So that brings in MAJOR $$$ for the conference and the school. The coach at Miami no matter WHO it is should NOT be the lowest paid coach in the conference. Again, he and Jimbo are in the same boat. A deal like Jimbo's would be fair. I mean UVA bringing London in from FCS at 1.7 changed the game in the ACC. Hell when Saban and Meyer signed their big deals, the $$$ game for college football coaches changed. Miami has to change with it or we will be lost. I believe in Coach Shannon, but say for giggles he's not the guy, who are you going to be able to REALLY bring in that will except what UM is offering? Also we have a coach that is NOT going to play the coaching merry go round. Every coach that has been here since '83 used UM as a come up. No more of that! Where is our BOWDEN or PATERNO. We have one, and he's on the cusp of making a major stamp on the college football landscape. Make the commitment! Its business and its principal, not the $$$ per se.

[bg1906]

jw and bg, how would you feel about giving Shannon a contract like Jimbo's?

5 years, incentive-laden, and rewarding scholastic achievement in addition to football achievement.

Posted by: Ungar | April 22, 2010 at 02:47 PM

I agree with it. I think Jimbo's contract SHOULD be what they offer. Its fair and it puts the 2 flag ship teams in the conference for football on even ground. Then after we win the ACC and a Nat'l championship, and we'll do that before ANYBODY else in the ACC, then he should be the highest paid in the conference. Fair is fair!

[solarcane]

meph nice article,
thanks

Where is Shannon going if he doesn't get a raise?

How many people on here got a really big raise last year for being the fourth or fifth best guy out of 12 employees at their company?

I think we are getting fantastic
guidance counselor & recruiter mixed up with championship contending head coach.

Randy will win it all and be paid well when he does, till then I can't see why people that aren't getting paid close to what they are worth worring about a a guy that is living his dream job and doesn't appear to be starving.

[solarcane]

I stick with what I wrote, he needs to be in the same ball park as Jimbo

Then all he has to do is quit and get hired by a big school that pays well, you know... the ones that don't call him.

[solarcane]

bg

Here is what I believe is life's reality
Randy has no clout anywhere but Miami.

He wins the big one everyone will call him
Till he wins something besides 3rd place in the Coastal hes making about what he is worth.
You want to reward potential
I think Miami will only reward results.