Four days ago, it was reported that Randy Shannon still had the confidence of Miami president Donna Shalala despite yet another season of failing to meet preseason expectations.
Following yet another disappointing defeat Saturday afternoon, that rumored confidence appears to be shaken and on the verge of stirring some changes within the program.
According to CanesSports.com, Shalala has called a meeting for Saturday night to discuss the state of the football program and the status of the Hurricanes’ current head coach in the wake of an overtime loss to in-state rival South Florida. The site reports that “close advisors”, athletic director Kirby Hocutt and other unknown individuals will meet at an undisclosed location to determine which direction the bell cow of UM’s athletic department heads from here on out.
Based largely on Shannon’s commitment to academics and bringing in “high-character” players, Shalala has been a staunch defender of Shannon; based on Shannon’s on-the-field record -- 7-5 this season after beginning the year ranked No. 13, as well as 28-22 overall and 16-16 in the ACC -- combined with acrimony coming from the media, fans and, most vocally, disgruntled former players, Shalala may have no choice but to allow happen what a significant portion of the Board of Trustees wants.
Sweep Shannon out the door and inject some fresh coaching blood into the program.
Regardless of the stunning turnarounds Shannon has made off the field.
UPDATED 8:43 p.m. ET: According to a tweet from ESPN.com Bruce Feldman, and citing a source at Miami, “reports of a Donna Shalala summit meeting tonight are ‘false.’”
UPDATED 9:44 p.m. ET: Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald offers up the following update on the Shannon situation.
