New DC Shannon brings experience
No Google search was required for new defensive coordinator Randy Shannon.
Shannon is a well-known Florida football native, cutting his coaching teeth at his alma mater, Miami. The veteran coach immediately drew high praise from players, fans and new UCF head football coach Josh Heupel after he was officially introduced as the Knights’ new defensive coordinator Tuesday afternoon.
Shannon is believed to be the first African-American defensive coordinator since the UCF football program began in 1979.
“I’m excited about having him as a part of our staff,” Heupel said. “…When I was able to talk with him a little bit in making sure that our vision for what we wanted out of the program is synchronized, I think it was a no-brain hire because he loves kids, he’s a great teacher, he’s gonna run a 3-4 scheme that has the ability to move to a four-man front, believes in creating negative plays. He’s gonna be multiple in his coverages.”
Heupel and Shannon don’t share the organic bromance of their predecessors, Scott Frost and Erik Chinander. Frost and Chinander, now at Nebraska, are native Midwesterners who were roommates as young coaches at Northern Iowa and later groomsmen at their respective weddings.
On the surface, Heupel and Shannon come from different worlds.
Heupel, 39, grew up as the son of a football coach and high school principal in a quiet small town in South Dakota.
Shannon, 51, survived a hard-knock upbringing laced with personal tragedy in fast-paced Miami.
The relationship with football, however, runs deep for both. They believe in running a family-like atmosphere and molding strong young men.
A No. 12 ranking and 12-0 record were attractive to Shannon, but he said it was the school’s culture that ultimately drew him in.
“Records can go and come. It’s the people you want to be around,” Shannon said. “You want to have an opportunity to be around great people who have a vision and have a goal in what they’re trying to get done.”
Shannon built a reputation for picking up big-bodied defensive backs and running a more traditional 4-3 formation for much of his career, which spans more than 25 years. But he told reporters Tuesday he’s committed to running a defensive system that will allow his best players to get on the field, whatever the scheme.
“It depends on the personnel we have and what we feel is our best 11 guys on the field at that particular time. Could be a three down, could be a four down, could be odd defense, could be under, could be over,” Shannon said. “It just depends on what is our best players at that time to put those guys in situations where they can help us win games, create turnovers, cause negative plays and give field position to the offense.”
Shannon is well known in South Florida after years working as an assistant and later head coach at Miami. He most recently was the Florida Gators’ defensive coordinator and interim head coach after the departure of Jim McElwain. Shannon’s relationships with high school coaches throughout the state will help as Heupel adjusts to Florida.
Shannon’s son, Randy Shannon Jr., will also compete to be in the mix for the Knights. Randy Shannon Jr. will be a redshirt sophomore linebacker next season. He was a walk-on at UCF last season.
While the elder Shannon likes the family atmosphere of college football, he said he plans to keep a little professional distance from son on the football field.
“I probably won’t coach him. I’ll let somebody else deal with him,” Shannon said. “It’ll be fun. Like anything else, you treat everybody the same. He’s my son, his but he’s a UCF player. He’s got an opportunity to be a part of something special.”
sgreen@ orlandosentinel.com