University of Miami head football coach Randy Shannon rose through the coaching ranks at his alma mater before being named its head coach prior to the 2007 season. As he prepares for the 2008 season, Shannon took a couple of minutes to talk with theACC.com about his recent tour with the Armed Forces Entertainment (AFE).
How did you get started playing football?
I was always the heavy kid, always the overweight kid in the neighborhood. Some of my friends were playing football at the time. I was only able to play baseball and basketball. When I got to seventh grade I decided I wanted to play football and be with my buddies instead of sitting out the whole football season.
When did you know you wanted to be a coach?
I didn't, it just kind of happened. After I got released from the Dallas Cowboys, I came back and volunteered with Dennis Erickson. He asked if things didn't work out, would I mind being a graduate assistant and I said, "Yeah, sure."
What do you consider your greatest accomplishment as a coach?
I don't know if I have a greatest "one". As an assistant coach, I have been on some great defenses. As a defensive coordinator, I've been named the Frank Broyles Award winner. And I've won championships. I think ultimately you want to be the best at what you are at that particular time. A couple of years ago being the defensive coordinator and winning the Frank Broyles Award (was the greatest) but now as a head coach it would be great to win a championship.
You've won three National Championships at Miami - which one is the most memorable?
All three were something special. As a player, you win the national championship, you feel good about yourself. As a position coach, I won one. The next step was winning one as a coordinator, of being an integral part of directing a defense that won a championship.
How will the move to Dolphin Stadium affect the program?
I don't know that it will affect the program. We might get more fans with Dolphin Stadium being more centralized in the South Florida region because now we are closer to Broward County instead of the middle of Dade County. We could get more of the Palm Beach and Broward County fans in addition to the Dade County fans.
How did you get involved with AFE?
President (Donna) Shalala contacted me about going over there to support the troops and asked if I would be interested in it. I said "sure" and worked with Jim Wayland and his associates (AFE) for the overseas trip to support the troops.
Who was the most inspiring person you met on your trip in May?
The troops. You see 19- and 20- year-olds doing jobs that we deem difficult but they make it seem so easy. They treat it as a job, more than just protecting the country, which they do a great job of, but that's their job. No matter what happens, they have to do their job to be the best.
What was the most memorable moment on the trip?
When I went to Landstuhl Hospital in Germany. I sat down and talked with this one fellow who was in mine-sweeping detail and he had half his leg blown off. I was in awe of how he kept it in perspective. He had a couple of jokes that were funny. Half of his leg was off, and he was telling stories. He said the next time he sees a guy that's a minesweeper, I'm going to tell him, "You know what, walk a mile, don't get in a Humvee or anything. I've been out there all these times, and the only time I've had an injury or anything was in a Humvee." He made it sound like you needed to walk 30 miles and not take the easy transportation.
Another situation he talked about, he said, "Don't I look good, coach?" I said, "Why do you say that?" He said, "Look at this new plastic surgery I got. They messed up my beautiful face." He was always uplifting. He was in a bad situation but he made it more like "This is what it is, I have to deal with it. Now let's move on and let me have fun with my life." It was very inspirational that you see someone in that situation keep their mind going.
How was it interacting with other coaches away from the field?
It was great. I've coached with two of them. I coached with Tommy Tuberville. I knew Charlie Weis from the NFL when I was with the (Miami) Dolphins. Mark Richt is a University of Miami grad so we knew each other. I got to meet the coach from Yale, Coach (Jack) Siedlecki. He's a great guy, too. Everybody had a great time and really enjoyed themselves.
Coach Shannon will join the rest of the ACC head coaches at the ACC Football Kickoff which starts on Sunday.
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