For those that care...(Miami related)

Word is circulating fast amongst people who cover the Miami Hurricanes' football program that Randy Shannon AND the whole staff will be fired sometime tomorrow.

There was an emergency meeting at 5pm earlier this evening amongst key advisors, President Donna Shalala, AD Kirby Hocutt, and Randy Shannon to discuss the program's future in the wake of the loss to USF in overtime today. This decision was came to in this meeting, and will be voted on by the Board of Trustees come Monday. It's a widely held belief that this decision was spearheaded by key members of the BOT, so a vote on Monday by them would be a formality if reports of the decision to fire Shannon & staff are indeed true.

The Miami Herald, Orlando Sentinel, CaneSport (Rivals site), and several other bloggers are reporting the same thing. The only person with differing reports is Bruce Feldman.

Just a few names that will likely be considered as replacements are Jimmy Johnson (who was seen on campus this week reportedly discussing "his future" with Shalala), Jon Gruden, Mike Leach, Gus Malzahn, and Kirby Smart. The list is bigger, but those are widely considered to be the top targets.

If you want to make sure the list is bigger, add Phil Fulmer and Mark Mangino to the list. :p

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Originally Posted by 1inStripes

If you want to make sure the list is bigger, add Phil Fulmer and Mark Mangino to the list. :p

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Don't forget Ralph Friedgen. That'd be a HUGE list.

Might as well throw in Charlie Weiss too.

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Originally Posted by 1inStripes

Might as well throw in Charlie Weiss too.

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We want a list of coaches, not buffet busters. Jabba the List we've got going on between all those guys. Thanks, Mr. Literal.

Sorry, as a UT fan, a coaching search had become kind of comical the last two winters.

AP Source: Stoutland will be Miami interim coach - College Football - Rivals.com

You can go ahead and mark Gruden off that list, he's not going to coach at the college level with all the very high profile positions he could have had the last few years.

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Originally Posted by TheBeast

You can go ahead and mark Gruden off that list, he's not going to coach at the college level with all the very high profile positions he could have had the last few years.

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I wouldn't go that far, I'll leave it at that. I've heard from pretty good sources on my end that interest is indeed there on both ends of that spectrum as long as the money is there. Also, if Gruden was only interested in coaching on the pro level, he wouldn't be a volunteer helping out on the HS level as OL coach at his son's HS, Carrollwood Day in Tampa.

Miami cant afford Gruden.

Take Jim McElwain, please.

but leave Kirby alone.

Kirby is insignificant. Saban is the DC.

Smart makes all the on field adjustments and calls during the game.

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Originally Posted by Biggin

Miami cant afford Gruden.

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Bad argument--the Coker buyouts are done, the buyout for Shannon was set low in his contract extension for a reason, and the main donors are the ones that drove this decision. I've heard anywhere from 3-4 million per season is available to hire the next HC. The money issue is moot at Miami starting now.

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Originally Posted by Biggin

Smart makes all the on field adjustments and calls during the game.

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They're still all Saban's calls and adjustments. You could get a trained monkey to call them in during games. Saban's the best DC you can get though. What he does with his back 4-5 is better than anyone. Could you imagine putting Chavis (who's front 6-7 is always awesome but back 4-5 is lost) with Saban?

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Originally Posted by CoeburnCane

Bad argument--the Coker buyouts are done, the buyout for Shannon was set low in his contract extension for a reason, and the main donors are the ones that drove this decision. I've heard anywhere from 3-4 million per season is available to hire the next HC. The money issue is moot at Miami starting now.

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The money issue is still big at Miami, thats not up for debate.
im hearing at most Miami can spend is $3 mill, and that wont get Gruden.

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Originally Posted by Ironlung

They're still all Saban's calls and adjustments. You could get a trained monkey to call them in during games. Saban's the best DC you can get though. What he does with his back 4-5 is better than anyone. Could you imagine putting Chavis (who's front 6-7 is always awesome but back 4-5 is lost) with Saban?

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boy Chavis lost him some money Saturday tho, those two huge long pass plays and Knile Davis carving them up was bad.

but yeah, if Chavis had an elite DB coach, his defenses would be unbeatable. just needs a secondary coach to keep him from going prevent at all times lol

There's a reason they call it 3rd and Chavis. I always hoped for 3rd and 2-3 instead of 8-15.

it was bad, arkansas was able to just carve up the LSU secondary.

and late in the game the ark rush game was just murdering LSU. the LSU front 7 is too good for that, but it seemed yesterday that they have given up. It was a lousy display from both the LSU players and coaches. Until they got the ball back, they had just given up. Letting Ark dominate them at the LOS and in the passing game.

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Originally Posted by Biggin

The money issue is still big at Miami, thats not up for debate.
im hearing at most Miami can spend is $3 mill, and that wont get Gruden.

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No offense, but I'll take my Miami sources over yours. According to what I've heard not just in the past 24 hours but in the past couple of months is that IF Shannon were fired that this next hire would be big b/c the donors/player alumni won't accept anything less.

1.5 Billion were raised in the past few years by Shalala and the BOT for numerous improvement projects across campus. Most of those came in non-earmarked endowments for use as the University saw fit. Most of those non-earmarked ones were planned previously to be put toward an already flourishing University Hospital and the Law School. BUT--there's nothing standing in the way of shifting some of those funds to the Atheltics Dept to be used for the football program.

If you knew that already--then that's awesome. Not sure you did though, with the whole "money issue still being big at Miami and not being up for debate" comment.

If you've got better sources that say otherwise, I'm all ears.

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Originally Posted by CoeburnCane

No offense, but I'll take my Miami sources over yours. According to what I've heard not just in the past 24 hours but in the past couple of months is that IF Shannon were fired that this next hire would be big b/c the donors/player alumni won't accept anything less.

1.5 Billion were raised in the past few years by Shalala and the BOT for numerous improvement projects across campus. Most of those came in non-earmarked endowments for use as the University saw fit. Most of those non-earmarked ones were planned previously to be put toward an already flourishing University Hospital and the Law School. BUT--there's nothing standing in the way of shifting some of those funds to the Atheltics Dept to be used for the football program.

If you knew that already--then that's awesome. Not sure you did though, with the whole "money issue still being big at Miami and not being up for debate" comment.

If you've got better sources that say otherwise, I'm all ears.

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you can believe what you want, but Miami is not flush with money, they dont sell out their stadiums, their fan support has waned terribly, and Gruden will want at least $4 million a year.

if your "sources" say Miami that can spend $5 million a year on Gruden, well then lol cause I seriously doubt that happens.

and you think Gruden is gonna come to those sub-par facilities? they would have to do a total renovation to get decent facilities first, and thats another huge million dollar payout.

Miami is not in good financial shape, it hasnt been in a while. I didnt think that was even up for debate. Its known that Miami has money problems.

If these big alums and donors are willing to shell out all this money, why dont they fix the facilties? or a new stadium closer to campus?

Gruden's not worth arguing over anyway. That'd be as much of a disaster as Shannon was. I told Cane last night, I'd get Malzahn but I'd make sure he got a top notch, high end DC.

Malzahan would be my first option IMO.

He is such a dynamic playcaller, and will turn Miami into a 40 PPG offense

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Originally Posted by Biggin

you can believe what you want, but Miami is not flush with money, they dont sell out their stadiums, their fan support has waned terribly, and Gruden will want at least $4 million a year.

if your "sources" say Miami that can spend $5 million a year on Gruden, well then lol cause I seriously doubt that happens.

and you think Gruden is gonna come to those sub-par facilities? they would have to do a total renovation to get decent facilities first, and thats another huge million dollar payout.

Miami is not in good financial shape, it hasnt been in a while. I didnt think that was even up for debate. Its known that Miami has money problems.

If these big alums and donors are willing to shell out all this money, why dont they fix the facilties? or a new stadium closer to campus?

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A donor gave them 5 million plus they got another 10 from others to build a new facility last week. No issue there anymore.

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Originally Posted by Biggin

you can believe what you want, but Miami is not flush with money, they dont sell out their stadiums, their fan support has waned terribly, and Gruden will want at least $4 million a year.

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You're assuming that people won't spend money to regain the fan support and help to fill the stadiums (Sun Life will NEVER be a sellout during a Canes game, so that point is moot as well).

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if your "sources" say Miami that can spend $5 million a year on Gruden, well then lol cause I seriously doubt that happens.

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OK...whatever you say man.

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and you think Gruden is gonna come to those sub-par facilities? they would have to do a total renovation to get decent facilities first, and thats another huge million dollar payout.

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Way ahead of ya man: Athletics Receives $5M Lead Gift for Schwartz Center for Athletic Excellence | News Releases | University of Miami

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Miami is not in good financial shape, it hasnt been in a while. I didnt think that was even up for debate. Its known that Miami has money problems.

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In the past, before the fundraising drive that Shalala and the BOT spearheaded that netted 1.5 Billion. Didn't you read that part?

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If these big alums and donors are willing to shell out all this money, why dont they fix the facilties? or a new stadium closer to campus?

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1) Fixing the facilities--see above

2) New stadium closer to campus--won't ever happen due to the lack of land needed to build such a stadium near campus in Coral Gables. There is a definite lack of available properties in that area of Miami/Coral Gables/Miami Gardens. I've went over that on here before, but you probably didn't catch it.

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Originally Posted by CoeburnCane

You're assuming that people won't spend money to regain the fan support and help to fill the stadiums (Sun Life will NEVER be a sellout during a Canes game, so that point is moot as well).

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Why is that? It only holds roughly 70,000 right? Seems to me Miami has a huge following but I could be mistaken.

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Originally Posted by UTVols2

Why is that? It only holds roughly 70,000 right? Seems to me Miami has a huge following but I could be mistaken.

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It's a transient fan base. Nobody in Miami really gives a **** about the University of Miami. Their fans are in Jersey, LA, Wise, Arizona, ect.

ESPN is saying Gruden said (paraphrasing) "thanks but no thanks, I'm happy at MNF.".

Miami football is like Duke basketball. It's a private school for rich white people that go to school, leave, and watch their Dukies or Canes on tv. The reason Duke basketball is so great in Cameron is the stadium size, Duke couldn't sell out a normal size arena. Really, if you are rich and affluent why in the world would you want to be in that area of Miami or in Durham?

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Originally Posted by UTVols2

Why is that? It only holds roughly 70,000 right? Seems to me Miami has a huge following but I could be mistaken.

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Just a smidgeon over 75K is the capacity for football. Miami's fanbase in Miami is a pro-style fanbase--they're mostly only there if you win. There are diehards in the Miami/Ft Lauderdale area, but it's the pro-style mentality that most bigger markets have--win and we'll show up.

Outside of Miami, there are people I know who are either alumni or just fans who travel to every home game b/c they can. There are others, like myself, who have been fans for 25+ years who don't have the ways/means to go down to Miami every weekend in the fall, but will make it to some of the roadgames that are closer to home.

Now--if all the satellite fans like myself could get to Miami every game, we'd come close to selling out the stadium...but the fact is we can't...so we won't.

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ESPN is saying Gruden said (paraphrasing) "thanks but no thanks, I'm happy at MNF.".

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Hey...way I see it, if that ends up being the case--then that's fine too. I wanted them to go hard after the homerun hire--and Hocutt did. I do know this much--there was mutual interest from both sides. There was even contract talks between Gruden's agent and the University. In the end, what fell through--I don't know. Maybe ESPN gave him a raise to keep him in the MNF booth. There were definite signs he was close to a deal, one being that they cancelled the normally scheduled "chalk talk" meeting that Tirico, Jaworski, and Gruden do on Mondays before the night game for this week.

Move on to the next one...

I'm not a Miami fan, but I hope they hire a big name that can turn it around. College football as a whole is better when the U is good.

Gruden will never coach college football for one reason, he hates recruiting. He says he hates going into a home and begging some kid he has never met and doesn't know to come play ball for him, and six months later the kid is in trouble. If he didn't come to Tennessee he sure isn't going to Miami.

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Originally Posted by Rich_Kotite

A donor gave them 5 million plus they got another 10 from others to build a new facility last week. No issue there anymore.

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see thats new news, and i didnt know that.

instead of spouting off that Miami was flush with money (certain poster), all you had to do was post that.

i still dont think Miami can pay $5 million a year for a coach, but that does fix the issue of the facilities.

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i still dont think Miami can pay $5 million a year for a coach, but that does fix the issue of the facilities.

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Sort of but not really, that issue won't be fixed till they figure out how to get a true home field. Heck the sorry arse OB was better than what they use now, at least it was in the vicinity of the school.

Chalk Talk may have been cancelled because of the rumors that he is going to replace Singletary, but its all rumors. Who knows what is really happening.

miami doesnt have a whole lot going for them right now, aside from the most rich local talent base in the country.

that alone will get a big name coach there, but i just cant see a school with that much known financial problems signing a coach that demands more tha 3-4 million a ayear.

the gus malzahan/kirby steele combo would be ideal, but thatll never work. why would malzahan leave AU (i heard he hates it, but miami is a step down right now), or steele live UA for a non-HC job?
you cant get em both, and i bet miami gets one of the two.

richt is not leaving UGA, Gruden is not coming there (too much $$s anyway), Leach? im not sold on him, but miami may be.

I'm just gonna lay back on this and be silent since everything I've shared so far has been 2nd/3rd/4th guessed. I've got more info, but I'm keeping it to myself until this all shakes out.

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Originally Posted by CoeburnCane

I'm just gonna lay back on this and be silent since everything I've shared so far has been 2nd/3rd/4th guessed. I've got more info, but I'm keeping it to myself until this all shakes out.

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so because something questions the fact that a proven NFL coach is gonna come coach at place whos stadium is at best half full and get paid less than $5mil a year at a place that has struggled financially, you get all sissy.

the facility donation had just happened, you cant expect non-Miami fans to know that. thats a big deal, and part of the reason I found it hard to believe that Miami could pay $5 million a year on a coach. Honestly, you keep getting mad, but I just have a hard time believing that Miami is gonna make a commitment to a coach for more than $4 million a year plus a buyout. Its not an insult, its just facts. Miami has never been financially flush since the early 2000's, and thats a lotta money for a private school to shell out.

as everyone knows, its all rumors right now. they have not hired a new coach, and Gruden already turned them down. no need to be like that, its all speculative right now.

apparently, Mark Schlabath, Tony Barnhardt, and the rest of the guys on the CSS show also believe that Miami has financial problems. When discussing the Miami situation, every panel member mentions that Miami is a place with limited funds and will not be able to hire a $4 mil a year coach.

In fact, Schlabath and i think Barnhardt, as soon as the Miami coaching search came up, said "they dont have any money".

so I guess im not the only person on the planet who was absolutely shocked to believe that Miami was gonna pay out $4 million a year

Let me ask a question and for those who have a little more insight on this guy tell me why he hasn't been offered a head job.

Eddie Gran, I know he is a special teams coach/RB coach (also coached at Miami in 90) but why hasn't he ever moved up in the ranks? He is a dang good recruiter especially in South Florida, his ties are tremendous down there. I recall when he was here with us for 1 year he was getting kids right and left to come to Knoxville for visits when no one else could. I know some people are lifetime position or assistant coaches but seems like he is a pretty bright guy whom is well respected and always does well in home with the kids/parents.

I know most guys hired are previous head coaches or OC/DC's so maybe that is why I don't know. What do some of you think? I am only going off the things he did at Auburn/Tennessee but maybe he doesn't desire to be a head coach who knows, just a thought.

Tom Dienhart

"Sources have told CaneSport that details are being hammered out and, barring a last minute glitch, Jon Gruden will be the next Miami coach."