This Is The End Of The Innocence

The Miami Hurricanes lost today.

Randy Shannon was fired today.

The disappointing, sad and at times tumultuous reign of "The Boss" has finally reached its brutal, bitter end.

For many Hurricane fans this is the end of the innocence.

So many wanted Randy Shannon to succeed for so many various and different reasons.  Hurricane fans, college football fans, fans of equality, African Americans in general.  Shannon had everyone in his corner yet he failed to produce the results necessary to retain his dream job.

Now he is gone, shown the door because he simply did not win enough games.  Offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland was named Interim Head Coach by Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt.

 
Yet Shannon, a former UM player, graduate, defensive coordinator and most recently head coach was not up to the task of leading ther Hurricanes back to the promised land.

Now he sits in the middle of nowhere, his dreams dashed, all hope lost and a shell of a man.

I am sad for him.

Shannon once bled orange and green.

Now, after being fired, he may have just bled to death.

This is the end of the innocence. 

Comments

[solarcane]

boink

[solarcane]

Some guys are naturals

[TonyCane]

I feel bad for Shannon. He was a good person and in the long run, reaching the kids under his tutelage and helping those who came from broken homes was better than a national championship.

As for coaching, for whatever reason it did not work out for him. I wish him the best. The new coach will inherit a much stronger talent base than Shannon did.

[THE MAN]

It's a shame that RS couldn't handle it. He's a good man, just not a good head coach. Best of luck to him. I was really hoping he could make it. His stubborness did him in.

[solarcane]

The Shannonites are orphaned by The Man.

[WGT22]

MARK STOOPS

go get him Kirby

[Sebastian]

A sad day for all of us that wanted RS to turn the U back into contenders

[solarcane]

"Now he sits in the middle of nowhere, dreams dashed, hope lost and a shell of a man."

Yea he must be crushed
Only 1.5 million dollars in his pocket.

[Canesaddiction]

This is the right move. Too often the team appears uninterested and unprepared to play. I read the whip was also fired btw, not sure if it was mentioned here yet. I hope we get a good teacher, our player development has been embarrassing!

[solarcane]

Teddy Bridgewater must be licking his chops now.

He knows Whipple's favorite and Randy's favorite will have no bearing on the new head coach judging his players.

[The Advocate]

Shannon is a good man. Larry Coker is a good man. We've had good men lead our young men these last few years and it has been rewarding in several ways schools would dream of reaching - such as the AFCA academic achievement award. We need our next coach to not be done in by stubbornness or the types of faults that lead to absolute destruction. Coaches need to inspire. Butch Davis found ways to inspire eventually. Howard, Jimmy... these men had faults. Both have been outcoached in big games too. But both had enough to lead and succeed to where those successes surpassed the faults. Good luck to Cane Nation.

- The Advocate

[The Dude]

Damn it Randy. You were'nt even solid. I could have handled it if you were solid. So sad for those of us that really wanted this to be a success. Miami is never a 5 year rebuilding project. We are too big for that now. You gotta show something by year 3. Something. Anything. All that being said. I hope he can come back some day and be up to the task. Best of luck Randy!

[The Advocate]

BTW, somehow we should get Kehoe and Soldinger back...

- The Advocate

[Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad]

Sunsentinel has a list..

Jon Gruden

Mario Christobal-FIU

Will Muschamp-Texas

Tommy Tuberville-Texas Tech

Kevin Sumlin-Houston

Mark Richt-UGA

Greg Shiano-Rutgers

Mike Leach

Al Golden-Temple

Former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski

[The Dude]

Amen to Soldinger!

[Playa..The Blogger Formerly Known as Rashad]

• Associates say ESPN's Jon Gruden would listen to UM about its coaching job if approached. UM prefers someone with several years of head coaching experience. Mark Richt is among numerous other options if he parts ways with Georgia. UM must pay Randy Shannon between $1.5 million and $2 million in buyout money.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/27/1945891_p2/dolphins-face-an-uncertain-future.html#ixzz16YHFAJWE

[SOUP]

Yea he must be crushed
Only 1.5 million dollars in his pocket.

Posted by: solarcane | November 27, 2010 at 11:55 PM

Solar there are times when U are a complete ass. This is one of those times.

How can U talk about money when the man's very essence and every pure dream he ever had has been crushed like a cheap beer can?

U think any one of those 1.5 million dollars is making him feel any better tonight?

[SOUP]

Damn it Randy. You were'nt even solid. I could have handled it if you were solid.

Posted by: The Dude | November 28, 2010 at 12:03 AM

Yeah THAT is the tragedy right there.

[Chi Mia 'Cane '98]

I really hope Miami goes after a coach who does not have ties to Miami. I think they need new blood. (i.e a Jimmy Johnson/Dennis Erickson type)

As I said before a young, energetic, ambitious coach who is not afraid of a challenge.

Whether it is one of the guys listed above or someone else.

They really need to hit a homerun with this hire or it could set them back yet again... So I have no problem with them taking their time to get it right this time

[Sebastian]

Gruden-yes
Mario-No
Muschamp-He wouldnt
Tommy T-should stay on list
Sumlin-no
Richt-no
Schiano-no
Leach-HELL NO
Golden-stay on list
Jags-no

Gruden is far and away the main target on that list

[Sebastian]

Posted by: SOUP | November 28, 2010 at 12:25 AM

Nothing good can come from those kind of statements after midnight

Isnt that what you taught us?

[SOUP]

Yea he must be crushed
Only 1.5 million dollars in his pocket.

Posted by: solarcane | November 27, 2010 at 11:55 PM

I guess haters are gonna hate.

U don't think Shannon would trade U every single one of those $1.5 million dollars for a national championship?

Ship of fools...

[zaro]

terrible feeling right now. from the start of the game this just wastn it. but right after they fire him. this was coming since the florida state game. i knew he would get the axe. damn...

as for new hopes. Gruden is going to be first among coaches for the NFL. i hope they take a good long look at coaches who can motivate. recruit miami type players but also will be prepared annd have previous coaching expierance. also have good assistants. still. i would like to see Randy be on the sideline or where he should have always been D.Coordinator...

Guz Mazalahan?
Jon Gruden?
man. im just at a loss for words. i know college football has its ups and downs. but this was our year....smh. its gonna be a long time til august.

[SOUP]

Isnt that what you taught us?

Posted by: Sebastian57 | November 28, 2010 at 12:33 AM

I am not defending Shannon, I am not opposed to the decision.

But saying that it all about the money? U think he is happy right now counting his money? Are U serious?

That is just bitter and childish.

[The Dude]

Randy would have seriosly considered giving a limb to win a championship for The U. I believe that. Its just sad to me. No one wanted it more than him I'm sure. He just didnt know what to do when what he was doing wasnt working. Read that last line a couple times, it will make sense after that I promise, LOL. I would love for him to stay on under a Jon Gruden or Butch Davis as a DC. Someone who could prep him as coach in waiting. He will be fine down the road too. I dont know if someone will give him a head coaching job like he wants, but he will make a damn fine DC. I just hope he doesnt go to Florida or somewhere like that. Still respect you Randy!

[Felipe.]

Solar's statement is more along the lines of "well, in the grand scheme of things, that's a hell of a consolation prize so I can't feel too bad for him" than "it was all about the $." Quit the bickering.

[SOUP]

"Offer up your best defense, this is the end of the innocence."

[The Dude]

Damn, his Wiki bio has already been updated!

[SOUP]

Consolation prize? Really? REALLY???

U think Randy is sitting in his room right now saying to himself: "Look as this really nice consolation prize?"

My God people, really? REALLY???

[The Dude]

I bet he's hurt beyond measure. Dream come true turns to a nightmare embarassment.

[SOUP]

I don't care how much U "hate" Shannon or how much U wanted him gone, but this very moment is the end of his lifelong dream.

That is S A D.

If U don't feel that then U are hopeless.

[Felipe.]

Uh yes really. $1.5 million. He wasn't put into a guillotine like Robespierre implemented, or put to death by the Chinese for lead-laden barbies. He was given a chance, didn't succeed, but will be rewarded nevertheless for the effort. Get a grip or lay off the sauce already.

[j.w.]

I'm happy. I'm a fan of the program and there's hope that what we've seen for the past several yeas is really going to end. Randy got something most of us never get- a chance at your dream job. He was paid a lot of money for his work, so I don't beleive we owe him anything more. He's still a Cane, though, and I'll never forget his days at LB. I wish him luck and hope the lessons he learned at UM make him a better coach next time.

[j.w.]

can't type on this laptop- years ^^^^ and believe^^^
Soup, I wasn't responding to your post. I onestly don't wish any ill will towards Randy, but sorrow right now isn't in me. I hope he does well at Colorado, or wherever he lands.

[SOUP]

Dream come true turns to a nightmare embarassment.

Posted by: The Dude | November 28, 2010 at 12:52 AM

There IT is right there.

[Sebastian]

Im not defending anyone

Swing away

Im hoping some close friends are around him right now telling him everything is going to be alright and he will get another job shortly

Not being able to get it done here has to be ripping his insides out

After sitting there and watching some of the guys walk off the field you could just sense something wasnt right

#8,(#74,#77together)and #44 had tears rolling down their face

[SinisterCane]

I don't feel sad about him being fired but I wish him the best

[SOUP]

Felipe...OK, here it is: I'll give U $1.5 Million or U can have your lifelong dream.

What will it be?

[TonyCane]

I wonder how Jacory feels now about that last interception. It cost them the game and perhaps Shannon's HC position.

[mi@mic@ne]

"it was all about the $."

thats what she said.

[raizecane]

#8,(#74,#77together)and #44 had tears rolling down their face

Posted by: Sebastian57 | November 28, 2010 at 12:59 AM

What a bunch of babies....they should have been swinging at one another for losing to a sorry ass USF team who played with a 3rd string freshman walkon QB.....

[SOUP]

#8,(#74,#77together)and #44 had tears rolling down their face

Posted by: Sebastian57 | November 28, 2010 at 12:59 AM

Tears of joy I am sure for the $1.5 million, right?

[Felipe.]

If the dream doesn't work out and I'm given $1.5 E 7 in compensation, which I'm apt every three years or so anyway given my med school status, I would consider it less tragic than you're sentiments would suggest. The comedy to me is that Randy probably has a broader perspective of what is important because of his life experiences, and so will take this in stride and be successful in other venues. Biological organisms adapt or perish. As a head coach, Randy was intransigent, but in life, he's a poster child for adaptation and will do well moving forward. Wish him the best, don't decry what is, especially if he himself has such an attitude.

[SOUP]

What a bunch of babies....they should have been swinging at one another for losing to a sorry ass USF team who played with a 3rd string freshman walkon QB.....

Posted by: raizecane | November 28, 2010 at 01:04 AM

There IT is right there.

[raizecane]

^^^^ not to mention the game was at home and it was SENIOR DAY!!!!!!

[Felipe.]

1.5 E 6 rather. It isn't all about the money, but in this economy, he's hardly going the way of Henry Seward following Seward's folly (Russian America purchase of 1867). Get some scope, step outside your house once in a while. Tragedies abound, this is not one.

[The Dude]

Whoever the next coach is, they have to be proven. Hopefully a NFL guy or a very successful NCAA head coach. Either way they need to have had head coaching experience. Who The U hires will tell us alot about how quick they want things back and also how back they want it. We know what we want. We want BCS bowls frequently and to be playing for a crystal football every 4 to 5 years or so. The next guy has to be a no brainer. NO MORE 1ST TIME HEAD COACHES! We gotta know what we are getting.

[SOUP]

If the dream doesn't work out and I'm given $1.5 E 7 in compensation, which I'm apt every three years or so anyway given my med school status, I would consider it less tragic than you're sentiments would suggest.

Posted by: Felipe. | November 28, 2010 at 01:05 AM

Given that, I am SURE a great doctor U will be.

[mi@mic@ne]

Money cant by wins ... guys... even a lowly carpenter can understand that one.

Randy should be the recruiting coordinator if we cant get Butch.

[j.w.]

Soup, I understand you point and agree, I'll take he dream over the $$. But Randy had his dream. It didn't work out the way he or anyone here wanted, but if you told me I could be a major league baseball player (or even TV announcer :)) for four years, then get fired, I'll take that. The buyout $$ means nothing outside of the obvious to anyone.