Miami's Shannon Signs New Four-Year Contract
May 12, 2010
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt announced today that head football coach Randy Shannon has signed a new four-year contract.
“There’s no other place I’d rather be than coaching Hurricanes football. I’m excited about the momentum we continue to build and our strong recruiting classes,” said Coach Shannon. “We have dedicated student athletes and experienced and committed coaching staff, a strong athletic program and the University leadership’s support — all important components consistent with long term success.”
Shannon, 44, took over the Hurricanes’ program in 2007 and has led Miami to two bowl game appearances in three seasons. After going 5-7 in his first season as a head coach, Shannon led the Hurricanes to a 7-6 record in 2008 with an appearance in the Emerald Bowl. In 2009, the Hurricanes had a breakout season winning three games against Top 25 opponents to start the season enroute to a 9-4 campaign and a third place finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Miami ended the season with an appearance in the Champs Sports Bowl.
“We are very proud of the positive steps our football program has taken under the leadership of Coach Shannon,” said UM Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. `With a commitment to excellence in the classroom, in the community, and in competition, we are well on our way, once again, to the top of the college football world.”
Shannon has also had a tremendous impact on the football program off the field. The program was among those honored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) for its latest Academic Progress Report score (APR) released yesterday. It was recognized as having posted a multi-year APR score in the top 10 percent. Miami was the only Bowl Championship Subdivision (BCS) team among the 26 schools recognized that finished ranked in the final USA Today Coaches Poll and Associated Press poll after the 2009 season. UM and Duke were the only two Atlantic Coast Conference football programs recognized.
The team posted one of the best NCAA APR nationally in 2008. UM had an APR of 977 – the 7th-highest rate in the country out of 119 Bowl-Subdivision football programs. It was also the second highest in the Atlantic Coast Conference and highest among all schools in Florida. Shannon’s 2007 team achieved an NCAA APR of 969, which was the 8th-highest rate in the country out of 119 Bowl-Subdivision football programs.
Also, in the last three years, 24 of his 64 seniors had already received their degrees before playing a snap in their final season. Miami had 13 seniors in 2007 and 2008 who played having already received their degrees — the most in the nation both seasons.
“Coach Shannon continues to bring together a special group of young men who will position our program for Championship success,” added Hocutt.
Shannon’s last three recruiting classes ranked among the top 20. Miami’s 2008 signing class ranked as the top class in the country by ESPN.com. The 2009 signing class ranked in the top 10 nationally as Miami signed six players ranked in the ESPN.com Top 150. UM’s 2010 class ranked 13th nationally.
The 2010 season will be Shannon’s 17th on the football staff at Miami: he was the defensive coordinator for six seasons, linebackers coach for five seasons and defensive line coach and graduate assistant for a season each. Shannon was named head football coach on Dec. 8, 2006.
“Coach Shannon embodies the spirit of the U on and off the field and we are excited about the future of the Hurricanes football program under his continued leadership,” said UM President Donna E. Shalala.
Miami is scheduled to open the 2010 football season on Thurs. Sept 2, at Sun Life Stadium against Florida A&M.
