The last memory I have of Randy Shannon is of him whining about Jonathan Phillips’ late field goal to push Florida’s lead to 26-3 over his Miami Hurricanes back in 2008.
Much has changed since that day for Florida, Miami, and for Shannon. Shannon was soon fired from Miami for incompetence (sporting a 28-22 overall record as the replacement to Larry Coker is never good), Urban Meyer would step down at Florida after 2010 and wind up at pseudo-rival Ohio State and both programs are now in rebuilding mode (Miami a bit more so than Florida). And then today, our Joey Vizzi broke the news that made me initially laugh, but then get excited: Shannon has agreed to become Florida’s linebacker coach.
Shannon spent the last three years as a linebackers coach, first at TCU in 2012 and then at Arkansas in 2013 and 2014. He helped turn the Razorbacks’ defense into a ferocious one by the end of this season, as the Hogs posted shutouts over LSU and Mississippi. Considering that he’ll be working with even more talent at Florida, I’m thrilled to have him onboard. Oh, and I’m also counting on him building a respectable pipeline from South Florida back up to Gainesville- the pipeline that Will Muschamp destroyed with his awful mishandling of Jacoby Brissett.
So welcome, Coach Shannon. I look forward to watching you work with the talented linebacker corps you will undoubtedly have, which will include Alex Anzalone, Daniel McMillian, and hopefully Antonio Morrison. Here’s to you helping lead another phenomenal defense.
I still think that field goal was fair game, though.
