Randy Shannon has a 2-8 record in ACC play since he took the Cane's reins last year, but it's totally cool. The administration at UM is still lovey dovey over him. That's what Shannon tells The Palm Beach Post:
Shannon said Sunday he's not feeling any pressure from UM President Donna Shalala or Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt.In fact, Shannon said it's the opposite. Asked if he felt supported by UM's administration, he said, "Yeah. As a matter of fact, they're the ones that are always telling me to calm down. I get frustrated, upset, disappointed and they're the ones that tell me that you can't get disappointed about everything."
Lord knows UM can come down hard on people who dare dishonor the Canes, but apparently it's just dandy that Randy keeps on loosing. Oh, it's a "rebuilding" year, right? Of course it was a "rebuilding" year last year, and the year before that, and the year before that too! Crumbling during the fourth quarter of the UNC game was just a natural part of rebuilding. Allowing a first half deficit of 21 points against FSU was all rebuilding! Not at all any sort of indication of uneven coaching, no sir, just rebuilding at its finest. Shannon is still inexperienced as a head coach, and should be allowed time to come into his own, but who on earth would feel the need to improve if they keep getting Donna Shalala hugs and kisses no matter what the outcome?
Besides, Miami can only bank on its reputation to lure top tier talent for so long. After a while star recruits are going to want to go with a coach who can bring out the best in them and steer the team to at least a conference championship, let alone a conference win, once in a while.
