Randy Shannon was the head coach of the Miami Hurricanes for four years, the interim head coach of the Florida Gators for four games, and the defensive coordinator at UCF for three seasons, briefly becoming interim head coach. While it’s not a head coaching role, he’s now officially part of the Florida State Seminoles on-field coaching staff, cementing his legacy across the entire state of Florida.
We’ll see how long it takes for him to become head coach, interim or otherwise.
Everyone knew something was up when Florida State linebackers coach Chris Marve was removed from the recruiting trail earlier this week and replaced by defensive analyst Shannon. The reason became very clear when Marve was hired as Virginia Tech’s new defensive coordinator, which opened up some room on Mike Norvell’s on-field staff for Shannon. The former UM head coach will now serve as FSU’s linebackers coach.
The 55-year-old Miami native has made a career out of coaching in Florida, which also includes stints with the Miami Dolphins in the 1990s.
Norvell definitely needs FSU to move in a positive direction this upcoming season following a 5-7 year that makes him 8-13 ledger in two seasons in Tallahassee. Shannon’s job is going to be to help improve a defense that allowed 26.5 points per game this past season.
As far as what the longtime college football coach can do in his latest Florida on-field coaching role, social media already has some thoughts.
So Shannon has coached in all three of Florida’s P5 programs … Wonder how many other folks can make that claim … https://t.co/Hj9jVB9iZe
— Maurice Patton (@mopatton_sports) December 8, 2021
Former #UCF DC Randy Shannon getting a promotion at FSU. https://t.co/YHOg1vvQkQ
— Jason Beede (@therealBeede) December 8, 2021
This would make sense after LB coach Chris Marve left to become Virginia Tech's DC https://t.co/XUYEvKSBv1
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) December 8, 2021
Randy Shannon going from analyst to on the field https://t.co/MdVbssR8ox
— Mark Blankenbaker (@UofLSheriff50) December 8, 2021
Based on history, at least we know who will probably be FSU’s interim head coach if Norvell does get fired at some point.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.