Why Miami Needs to Stand Behind Coach Randy Shannon

Donna Shalala, Kirby Hocutt and Paul Dee are not idiots.  As a matter of fact, they are pretty smart people. This, I believe, we can all agree. Shalala and Dee hired Coach Shannon and Shalala and Hocutt have now signed him on for at least the next four years.  They wouldn't sign him to such contracts if they thought he would not produce multiple titles.  As a card-carrying member of Hurricane Nation, I too stand behind Coach Shannon and believe that we are lucky to have him.  Here's why:

He Knows Recruits

He might not get every single five-star recruit out of high school, but they always turn into top-tier college players. Example: Leonard Hankerson.  Then: Coming out of high school, he was a nobody, at least to major college football programs.  ESPN ranked him as the 61st overall Wide Receiver.  They didn't even bother to rank him in the overall rankings.  Now:  Hankerson is possibly the best wide receiver in the nation, leading the pack for the 2010 Bednarik Award.

He Knows the Players

As many articles, from current all the way back to when he was Miami's defensive Coordinator, have noted, Randy Shannon is a player's coach.  Players came out heavily in support of him when he was up for the head coaching job. Players still, as the aforementioned articles outline, see him as a leader and a friend.  Thus, they trust him come practice and game time.

He has Reformed the Football Program's Image

Aside from the minor infraction in the football department for texting, the Shannon Era at Miami has not seen a criminal charge against a player or coach, which, as we all well know, was the general view of the program to the country. Miami used to be seen as the 'bad boys' of football. Now, they are seen as one of the best behaving programs in the country.

He has the Support of the Fan Base

Save for a few crazies on the fringe of 'Cane Nation, most of the fan base is all about coach Shannon.  The general opinion of him is highly favorable, for what isn't to like about him? He has finally brought our beloved team back to relevance and kept them out of the negative spotlight.

All in all, we, Cane Nation, should stand behind our coach and prepare for some very good seasons coming up. 

Get ready.  There's a Category 5 Hurricane coming through this fall.