Randy Shannon Named Defensive Coordinator
Feb. 20, 2001
Video Interview with Coach Shannon:
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Coral Gables, FL – University of Miami head football coach Larry Coker announces the hiring of Randy Shannon as the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator.
“I’m excited and pleased to announce that Randy Shannon has accepted an offer to become our defensive coordinator,” said Coker. “Randy brings with him a wealth of knowledge not only from his job with the Dolphins, but as a member of the Hurricane family. Randy’s background uniquely prepared him for this position. As a former UM player and assistant coach, he has a genuine love for the program. He was the perfect fit for this job.”
Shannon just completed his third season as an NFL coach following a seven-year stint as an assistant at Miami. Shannon was promoted to linebackers coach for the Dolphins prior to the 2000 season, after spending each of his first two years with the club as a defensive assistant. The 34-year old Shannon played linebacker at UM from 1985-88. He started at strongside linebacker each of his final two years, and was a member of the Hurricanes’ 1987 National Championship team. Shannon also was the recipient of the Christopher Plumer Award as Miami’s most inspirational player his senior season.
Following his collegiate career, Shannon was the 11th-round draft choice of the Dallas Cowboys in 1989. In his rookie season he became the first Cowboys rookie to start a game at outside linebacker since 1963. Shannon played with Dallas through the 1990 season. After two years in the NFL, Shannon began his coaching career when he was named as a graduate assistant at UM in 1991, working with the linebackers and special teams. He split time with the linebackers and defensive line on a full-time basis the following year, prior to being named linebackers coach in 1993. He held that post through the 1997 season before joining the Dolphins.
A native of Miami, Shannon earned his degree in criminal justice from UM. He was an all-state linebacker at Norland High School in Miami, where he also performed on the school’s basketball team. Shannon was born on February 24, 1966, in Miami.
