More than a few people were, to say the least, mildly surprised that Randy Shannon “failed” to land another job after being fired by Miami late last year. Sure, he was linked to several openings -- including head-coaching vacancies at Minnesota and Vanderbilt; interviewing for the defensive coordinator openings at UCLA and Texas; and was reportedly offered, but turned down, the same job at Maryland -- but nothing on the 2011 job front ever actually came to fruition.
While part of the reason could very well be monetary -- he’s receiving a healthy sum to not coach the ‘Canes in 2011 -- there could be another, currently occupied job he has his sights set on.
In a little blurb that appears at the end of a Sunday notes-style piece, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes that "[f]riends said [Shannon] would love the Arizona head job if it comes open.” Well, that’s certainly an interesting little tidbit to toss out there.
Of course, and despite the unfortunate choice of words by Jackson that would’ve had Beavis and/or Butthead doubled-over in cackling laughter back in their heyday, Mike Stoops has held the Wildcats’ “head job” since 2004. He’s come under increasing fire of late, however, for his record during those seven seasons. Stoops is just 40-45 overall -- 27-35 in Pac-10 play -- during his time with the Wildcats, and has just one bowl win -- the Las Vegas Bowl in 2008 -- in three attempts. The only time a Stoops-led team has finished above fifth place in the conference was a 6-3 mark that was good for a three-way tie for second in 2009.
It would certainly make sense that Shannon would be interested in just about any job at a BcS-level school that comes open later this year or early next as he’s made it perfectly clear that he wants to return to coaching. Shannon, though, doesn’t seem to be the type of person who would -- anonymously or otherwise -- toss his name into the mix for a job that’s not yet vacant. Especially when you consider the fact that he and Stoops share the same agent.
Be that as it may, and considering we are in a major lull in college football news, the rumor tossed out there by the Herald is definitely something to chew on for a little while and then filed away for future reference if/when talk of Stoops and his future at Arizona heats up.