Should the UofM get Randy Shannon?

[SkunkedAgain]

He was mentioned as a long-shot candidate while he was still coaching, due to his ties to, and contract with Miami. Now that he's on the streets, it seems like he could be a great fit with Minnesota. It already seems that Minnesota has lost out (or written off) most of the big name coaches, so Randy would fit the bill.

Frankly, the UofM is back to hoping for a coach that can get them to a .500 winning percentage. I don't think that we will initially have the same lofty expectations as the Miami boosters/alumni.

Thoughts?

[zepman]

Reports are he really wants to come here...I think his departure at Miami has held up a few of the Gopher potential coaches too.

I guess I'd rather have someone who wants to come here rather than someone who is overpaid and had to be convinced to come to the U.

Give him a shot...he can't be any worse than anyone else.

[JBMasterAngler]

I'd rather they go with someone else. Going 7-5 in a weak ACC isn't very impressive. Personally I think he's the 2nd coming of Tye Willingham.

[zepman]

Why...that statement makes no sense unless you back it up with similiar coaching philosophies etc...

[SkunkedAgain]

....and now Mike Leech wants to coach the Gophers (or anywhere). I'd be happy with Leech, Shannon, or keeping Horton. None of the other names excite me. Unfortunately, my guess is that Maturi will make a very boring, uninspiring pick that will underwhelm everyone.

[CJH]

I want Leach and am disappointed with Maturi not even considering him. What got lost in the all the hub bub about him is that he ran a clean program and his kids graduated. Oh, and he WON BOWL games!!! There was something about beating the Glen Mason Gophers in a Bowl as well.......

Doesn't sound like too many negatives to me. We need a firecracker in that position, its been dormant for far too long. His baggage is way overblown.

Doesn't sound like they are truly interested in Trestman either, which boggles my mind.

Shannon would be OK, but he definitely doesn't get me excited. If he was a good coach, he would have done better with all of that talent they had at Miami.

[toughguy]

Bring Leech in!!! Some of our guys need to be locked in a shed for a while! Maybe they'll learn how to tackle. To be banished from coaching for this is just stupid IMO. I'm sure he'll think twice before doing something like that again. He's a proven winner and recruiter. Please Mother Maturi give him a shot!

[SkunkedAgain]

Leech is like a calmer version of Bobby Knight. I agree, putting the kid in a shed wasn't the right thing to do but he didn't choke anyone.

The biggest thing to me is that our coaches forgive and give their players a second chance all of the time. Why is Leech not being given a second chance?

[so haaad]

I agree, Leech should be given an opportunity. At least give him an interview. He's got a lot to prove, has decent ties to the south for recruiting and has name recognition like Tubby.

[zepman]

Leech would be a great hire here...get it done!!

[mrklean]

Leech is the man i have always liked him, 1. he wins 2. high graduation rate 3. he keeps his players in line. But we are talking about the gophers here

[toughguy]

But Leech isn't from here. He has to be from here right...

[JBMasterAngler]

Leach has been my dream hire ever since he was fired. Unfortunately I think it will remain a dream I will puke my guts out if he hires Horton! They might as well have just kept Brewster.

[bucketmouth64]

I don't think Leech is overly enthused about Gophers, whereas he openly has said he wants the Miami job and they would be a good fit. He was one of the finalists for the job before Shannon got it. Plus, you have to think that if another job opens up that Leech likes he may want out, remember Lou Holtz. Remember the Notre Dame clause he had in the contract. Now I would like to see him here too, but I can see Leech doing something like that.

[Black_Bay]

As each day passes the Gophers job is getting to be less and less atractive to coaches. Indiana has a number of people interested, Miami will draw big names, and RichRod may be on the chopping block and then Michigan will be looking again. My hope is they end up getting a young guy who will be the next big thing, but the reality is that they will probably end up with some hack.

[bucketmouth64]

Wonder how the new U President likes Maturi...wonder if he will have any influence how the process goes behind the scenes.