Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
UF coach Shannon makes strong impact
GAINESVILLE — Randy Shannon could be coaching his final game with the Florida Gators this weekend, ending an unexpected union that evolved into a healthy marriage.
A Miami Hurricane to the core, Shannon joined Jim McElwain’s staff in 2015. It did not take Shannon long to fit in. Now, the Gators cannot imagine a team without him.
UF’s players hope the team’s next head coach feels the same way and keeps Shannon on staff.
“It’ll be 100 percent [unanimous,] man,” senior cornerback Duke Dawson said of players’ support. “I mean everybody loves that guy. He has nothing but love for each and everyone one of us. The respect that we have for him and the respect that he has for us, I mean, it’s unbelievable.”
Shannon has earned even more respect the past three weeks as the team’s interim head coach.
Since replacing McElwain after his Oct. 29 ouster, Shannon has remained positive and focused while overseeing an injury-ravaged roster and a Gators’ squad amid just the second losing season by UF since 1980.
Asked how he’s done it, Shannon said, “Professionalism. Go out there, be yourself, coach, do your job, because this is the only job you have.”
UF players said Shannon has made a difficult job look easy.
With the help of defensive line coach Chris Rumph, Shannon has lifted a sinking ship and given it direction.
“Without those dudes, this thing was the Titanic,” defensive tackle Taven Bryan said. “Those guys have been patching it. Like, I’ve seen a huge improvement in the team, attitude, playwise. They’ve been patching the ship the best they can.
“It was the Titanic at first, they’ve been patching it up and we’re floating.”
UF (4-6) hit rock bottom during Shannon’s first game, losing 45-16 Nov. 4 at Missouri. But a respectable showing during a 28-20 loss at South Carolina followed by a 36-7 win last Saturday against UAB give the Gators’ confidence entering Saturday’s visit from struggling Florida State (4-6).
When Shannon took over, the Gators were in a tailspin. After a 42-7 beatdown Oct. 28 by rival Georgia, McElwain was let go.
“Coach Mac left, guys were kinda falling apart,” sophomore receiver Josh Hammond said. “I think Shannon did a good job of pulling guys back together and getting them back on board. I think [when] a new coach does come in, the biggest thing for him will be just to keep guys together, keep us all on board and keep us ready to play.”
To show their gratitude, players awarded Shannon the game ball following the UAB win — a moment captured on video by UF.
“This the best game ball I’ve ever had,” Shannon said. “This the best football team I’ve ever had, because it’s you guys. That’s all that matters.”
The emotional scene touched Shannon’s players.
“Man, it meant a lot to us,” UF linebacker David Reese said. “I was just happy for him. Just to know what he did. I feel that speaks for his character, how he came back, knew the situation and just tried to lead us to the right direction.”