After a handful of years away, it appears Randy Shannon is headed back to his home state.
First reported by FOXSports, and subsequently confirmed by ESPN.com‘s Brett McMurphy, Jim McElwain has added Shannon to his first Florida coaching staff. Shannon will reportedly serve as linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.
While Shannon spent 2013 and 2014 as the linebackers coach at Arkansas, and 2012 in the same position at TCU, it’s Florida where most of his life has been spent.
Shannon was born in Florida; played his college football at Miami in the mid- to late eighties; served as a UM assistant in two separate stints (1991-99, 2001-06); spent one season as a Miami Dolphins assistant; and then ultimately was promoted to head coach of the Hurricanes in 2007, serving in that capacity for four years before being fired in November of 2010. Suffice to say, Shannon’s addition is a significant one for McElwain, given his connections to the talent-rich recruiting fields in South Florida.
Neither Shannon’s current employer or his future one have commented on the coach’s status, although there could be a five-figure reason for that.
Intersting to note: Shannon's Arkansas contract has a $100,000 buyout that runs through today. It drops to $50,000 tomorrow.
— Robbie Neiswanger (@NWARobbie) December 31, 2014
Shannon would be McElwain’s third hire since replacing Will Muschamp as head coach earlier this month. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins took the same job at UF, while erstwhile Michigan offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier will assume the same position in Gainesville.