Miami Hurricanes' athletic director justifies coach's firing
Although it may not have been the easiest decision to make, the Miami Hurricanes are moving on. On Sunday 28 November, athletic director Kirby Hocutt addressed the recent firing of head football coach Randy Shannon.
“Change is difficult and change is hard,” Hocutt said according to a report released through ESPN.com. “But change, sometimes, it’s necessary. And this time, this change was necessary.”
That change came just hours after the Hurricanes dropped their regular-season finale to the University of South Florida Bulls, 23-20 in overtime, to finish 7-5. It was not that loss or the game’s attendance, the smallest home crowd for Miami since 2006, which
factored into Hocutt’s decision however. It was, instead, the fact that in his nearly four seasons at the helm, Shannon had accumulated 22 losses, zero ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) titles, and a winless record (0-2) in post-season play.
“It was not made on 60 minutes of football,” Hocutt said of the decision, according to the website. “It was made with the total body of work in mind.”
Former offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland will take over for Shannon on an interim basis. Hocutt, meanwhile, has already begun seeking out potential candidates to replace Shannon, insisting that the university will not rush its decision to select a fitting
successor. And although the school will not divulge its list of possible replacements, a few names, including Mike Leach, Tommy Tuberville, Mark Richt, and Jon Gruden, have been speculated upon.
“We need somebody that’s experienced and understands what it takes to win, and understands the great tradition around here,” Adewale Ojomo, a defensive lineman for the Canes, told reporters.
Although neither Shannon nor the university holds any feelings of hostility toward one another, it appears that the inconsistency of Shannon’s squads had taken its toll.
“Randy Shannon is and always will be a part of this family and will always be a Miami Hurricane,” Hocutt said. “However, we must move forward at this time.”
“We’re going to do whatever it takes to get back to the top of the college football world,” the athletic director concluded.
Tags: