Randy Shannon was named the interim head coach of the Florida Football program on Sunday, Oct. 29 following a three-year stint on former head coach Jim McElwain’s staff.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
| 2017-Present |
Florida |
Interim Head Coach |
| 2017 |
Florida |
Defensive Coordinator |
| 2015-2016 |
Florida |
Associate Head Coach/Co-Coordinator/Linebackers |
| 2013-14 |
Arkansas |
Senior Associate Head Coach/Linebackers |
| 2012 |
TCU |
Linebackers |
| 2007-10 |
Miami |
Head Coach |
| 2001-06 |
Miami |
Defensive Coordinator |
| 2000 |
Miami Dolphins |
Linebackers |
| 1998-99 |
Miami Dolphins |
Defensive Assistant |
| 1993-97 |
Miami |
Linebackers |
| 1992 |
Miami |
Defensive Line |
| 1991 |
Miami |
Graduate Assistant |
COACHING ACCOMPLISHMENTS
- Has 25 years of coaching experience, serving as the head coach for University of Miami from 2007-10 and has won three national championships as a player and coach.
- Shannon helped oversee a defense in 2016 that ranked fifth nationally (second in the SEC) in total defense, allowing just 293.0 yards per game. In addition, UF had the top pass defense in the conference and the second-best in the country, allowing opponents to tally just 148.5 ypg. through the air.
- In addition, UF led the country in team passing efficiency defense (92.87) and ranked sixth in scoring defense (16.8).
- Florida had four interceptions returned for touchdowns in 2016, which is the most since returning four in 2010.
- Shannon tutored linebacker Jarrad Davis who totaled 60 tackles, 6.0 tackles-for-loss and had two sacks in just nine games.
- Awards wise, Davis was named Sporting News and CBS Sports Second Team All-America. He also garnered Second Team All-SEC honors by the league’s Coaches, Athlon Sports and Gridiron Now. In addition, Davis was selected as one of five Finalists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy, Pop Warner CFB Award, and the Butkus Award.
- Rookie linebacker David Reese played in 12 games during the 2016 season and totaled 49 tackles and two tackles-for-loss.
- In his first-career start against South Carolina, Reese tallied a game-high 11 tackles. One week later at LSU, Reese was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after he posted a career-high 12 tackles and a 0.5 tackle-for-loss in Florida’s SEC Eastern Division-clinching win in Tiger Stadium.
- Awards wise, Reese garnered Freshman All-America honors by Pro Football Focus and the FWAA. Meanwhile, he was named Freshman All-SEC by Gridiron Now.
- Under Shannon’s direction in 2015, and for first time since 2002, three separate Gators finished the season with 95-plus tackles: Antonio Morrison (103), Jarrad Davis (98), and Keanu Neal (96).
- Also in 2015, Florida’s rush defense (128.07 ypg.) ranked 25th in the FBS and fifth in the SEC. Opponents averaged 3.53 yards per carry against UF’s rush defense, a figure that ranked tied for 17th among FBS teams and fourth in the SEC.
- The Gators held two opponents last season (E. Carolina, S. Carolina) under 25 rushing yards, a feat last accomplished by the 2006 Gators, who held three teams to less than 25 rushing yards. Overall, Florida held five opponents under 75 rushing yards last year and three of those performances came in SEC play, which ranks second only to the 1997 Gators for the most times that’s been done in a season since 1996.
- In 2014, he led a linebacker unit that helped Arkansas rank 12th in the country and second in the SEC in rushing defense (114.62) and featured first-team All-SEC selection Martrell Spaight, who led the SEC with 123 tackles (10.3 per game).
- In his first season at Arkansas (2013), Shannon inherited the Razorbacks’ youngest position group and had five different linebackers make their first career start. Junior Braylon Mitchel and senior Jarrett Lake led the group and tied for second on the team with 77 tackles.
- He spent a year at TCU (2012) as the linebacker’s coach where he mentored first-team All-Big 12 selection Kenny Cain and honorable mention pick Joel Hasley on the Big 12’s best defensive unit.
- From 2007-10, he was the head coach of the University of Miami, compiling a 28-22 record.
- In 2010, Miami earned a 7-5 record, including a 5-3 mark in the ACC, and a berth in the Sun Bowl.
- In 2009, Shannon guided his team to the program’s best mark since the 2005 campaign, finishing 9-4 overall and 5-3 in ACC play. Four Hurricanes earned first-team All-ACC honors, and Miami was one of only nine teams to rank in the top 35 in both total offense and total defense.
- During the 2009 season, Miami knocked off three teams ranked in the Top 25 in its first four games, had nine players earn All-ACC postseason honors and saw its offense put up 5,199 yards, the most since 2002.
- Miami finished 7-6 in 2008, Shannon’s second season as head coach, and earned an appearance in the Emerald Bowl. That squad featured freshman linebacker Sean Spence, the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year, and kicker Matt Bosher, a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s best kicker.
- Shannon’s 2008 team also ranked No. 7 nationally in pass defense, 25th in tackles-for-loss and 28th overall in total defense, yielding 317.56 yards per game.
- During his time at Miami, Shannon consistently brought in some of the nation’s best recruiting classes. Miami’s 2008 signing class ranked as the top class in the country by ESPN.com. The 2009 signing class ranked in the top 10 nationally, as Miami signed six players ranked in the ESPN.com Top 150.
- Before becoming head coach at Miami, he was the school’s defensive coordinator for six seasons (2001-06) and coached top-10 defenses in five of those six seasons.
- While the defensive coordinator, Shannon became the first UM coach to be named the winner of the Frank Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top assistant coach. Additionally, 25 defensive players were taken in the NFL Drafts from 2002-07, including 12 first-round picks.
- Despite a 7-6 record in 2006, the Hurricanes’ defense ranked seventh in the country in total defense, allowing just 255.5 yards per game, fourth in rushing defense with a school record 67.9 yards allowed per game and 13th in scoring defense at 15.5 points allowed per game.
- His 2005 defense finished No. 1 nationally in pass defense with a mark of 152.17 yards per game allowed and pass efficiency defense at 89.48. Miami also ranked fourth in total defense and scoring defense that year.
- Shannon directed another top-10 defense in 2004, as the Canes ranked ninth in the country in pass defense.
- From 2002 to 2003, Miami had arguably the best secondary in the country, as it led the nation in fewest passing yards allowed both years.
- In 2001, Miami won the national championship and Shannon directed a defense that forced a school record 27 interceptions and 45 turnovers. That defense ranked as the nation’s top scoring defense, allowing just 9.4 points per game. The 2001 Hurricanes gave up just 12 touchdowns and added seven touchdowns of their own.
- From 1998-99, he was a defensive assistant for the Miami Dolphins before earning the job of linebackers coach in 2000.
- He served as a Miami graduate assistant (1991), defensive line coach (1992) and a linebackers coach (1993-97). Shannon coached Ray Lewis, a 13-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and first-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens.
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
FLORIDA
- LB ALEX ANZALONE - Started Florida’s first eight games before suffering a broken forearm at Arkansas that would end his season… Ranked third on the team with 53 tackles… Led the Gators in tackles against Kentucky (6), Tennessee (12) and Missouri (8)… Tallied three sacks, six quarterback hurries, two pass breakups and one fumble recovery… Named to SEC Academic Honor Roll…Drafted in the 3rd round to the New Orleans Saints
- LB JARRAD DAVIS – Played in 44 games in his Florida career... Finished second on the team in 2016 with 60 tackles despite missing four games due to injury... Earned Sporting News and CBS Sports Second Team All-America & Second Team All-SEC honors... A 2016 Butkus Award Finalist... Drafted in the 1st round to the Detroit Lions
- LB ANTONIO MORRISON – Morrison’s 294 career tackles are the second-most by a Gator since 2005, only ranking behind Brandon Spikes (2006-09), who finished his career with 307 tackles. The Chicago product was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts.
ARKANSAS
- LB MARTRELL SPAIGHT – 2014 First Team All-SEC and conference’s leading tackler in just his second season as a Razorback.
TCU
- LB KENNY CAIN – A First-Team All-Big 12 selection in 2012 as a senior and led TCU in tackles for two-straight seasons. Second-Team All-Mountain West pick as a junior.
MIAMI
- DB ANTREL ROLLE – A 2004 All-American and No. 8 overall pick in the 2005 NFL Draft by the Arizona Cardinals. Selected to three Pro Bowls and two All-Pro teams. A 2011 Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants
- LB JONATHAN VILMA – 2001-03 First Team All-BIG EAST selection. Drafted in the first round by the New York Jets in the 2004 NFL Draft. Won the 2004 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award and was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and 2009 Super Bowl champion.
- LB D.J. WILLIAMS – Two-time All-BIG EAST selection and the No. 17 overall pick in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos.
- DL VINCE WILFORK – 2003 All-BIG EAST selection and first round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2004. Has been named to five Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams.
- DB SEAN TAYLOR – 2003 BIG EAST Conference Defensive Player of the Year and First Team All-American. Drafted No. 5 overall by the Washington Redskins in the 2004 NFL Draft. Pro Bowl Selection in 2006 and 2007 and an All-Pro in 2007.
- DB ED REED – 2000 and 2001 All-American holds numerous Miami records, including career interceptions (21). Drafted in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens. A nine-time Pro Bowler and eight-time All-Pro. Holds NFL record for most career interception return yards (1,590).
- LB RAY LEWIS – A two-time First Team All-American and BIG EAST selection. Drafted in the first round of the 1996 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Ravens, winning two Super Bowls with the Ravens. Selected to 13 Pro Bowls and 10 All-Pro teams. 2000 AND 2003 NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
- DL WARREN SAPP – A First Team All-BIG EAST selection in 1993 and 1994 and First Team All-American in 1993. Won multiple postseason awards while in college, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy in 1994, given annually to the nation’s best defensive player. Was a first-round selection by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995 and went on to be the 1999 NFL Defensive Player of the Year, a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a four-time All-Pro selection. Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013.
- DL DWAYNE “THE ROCK” JOHNSON – Played on 1991 national championship team and later became famous for his time as a professional wrestler and actor.
NFL PLAYERS (ROUND DRAFTED)
DE Darren Krein (5th) – Miami ’94 – San Diego Chargers
DT Warren Sapp (1st) – Miami ’95 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
DT Pat Riley (2nd) – Miami ’95 – Chicago Bears
LB Ray Lewis (1st) – Miami ’96 – Baltimore Ravens
LB Twan Russell (5th) – Miami ’97 – Washington Redskins
CB Phillip Buchanon (1st) – Miami ’02 – Oakland Raiders
S Ed Reed (1st) – Miami ’02 – Baltimore Ravens
CB Mike Rumph (1st) – Miami ’02 – San Francisco 49ers
DB James Lewis (6th) – Miami ’02 – Indianapolis Colts
DE James McDougle (1st) – Miami ’03 – Philadelphia Eagles
DT William Joseph (1st) – Miami ’03 – New York Giants
DE Andrew Williams (3rd) – Miami ’03 – San Francisco 49ers
DE Jamaal Green (4th) – Miami ’03 – Philadelphia Eagles
DE Matt Walters (5th) – Miami ’03 – New York Jets
S Sean Taylor (1st) – Miami ’04 – Washington Redskins
LB Jonathan Vilma (1st) – Miami ’04 – New York Jets
LB D.J. Williams (1st) – Miami ’04 – Denver Broncos
DT Vince Wilfork (1st) – Miami ’04 – New England Patriots
LB Darrell McClover (7th) – Miami ’04 – New York Jets
LB Alfonso Marshall (7th) – Miami ’04 – Chicago Bears
CB Antrel Rolle (1st) – Miami ’05 – Arizona Cardinals
CB Kelly Jennings (1st) – Miami ’06 – Seattle Seahawks
LB Rocky McIntosh (2nd) – Miami ’06 – Washington Redskins
CB Devin Hester (2nd) – Miami ’06 – Chicago Bears
LB Leon Williams (4th) – Miami ’06 – Cleveland Williams
DT Orien Harris (4th) – Miami ’06 – Pittsburgh Steelers
CB Marcus Maxey (5th) – Miami ’06 – Kansas City Chiefs
S Brandon Meriweather (1st) – Miami ’07 – New England Patriots
LB Jon Beason (1st) – Miami ’07 – Carolina Panthers
DE Baraka Atkins (4th) – Miami ’07 – Seattle Seahawks
DT Kareem Brown (4th) – Miami ’07 – New England Patriots
S Kenny Phillips (1st) – Miami ’08 – New York Giants
DE Calais Campbell (2nd) – Miami ’08 – Arizona Cardinals
LB Tavares Gooden (3rd) – Miami ’08 – Baltimore Ravens
LB Spencer Adkins (6th) – Miami ’09 – Atlanta Falcons
TE Jimmy Graham (3rd) – Miami ’10 – New Orleans Saints
LB Darryl Sharpton (4th) – Miami ’10 – Houston Texans
OL Jason Fox (4th) – Miami ’10 – Detroit Lions
TE Dedrick Epps (7th) – Miami ’10 – San Diego Chargers
OL Orlando Franklin (2nd) – Miami ’11 – Denver Broncos
CB Brandon Harris (2nd) – Miami ’11 – Houston Texans
WR Leonard Hankerson (3rd) – Miami ’11 – Washington Redskins
CB DeMarcus Van Dyke (3rd) – Miami ’11 – Oakland Raiders
DE Allen Bailey (3rd) – Miami ’11 – Kansas City Chiefs
LB Colin McCarthy (4th) – Miami ’11 – Tennessee Titans
TE Richard Gordon (6th) – Miami ’11 – Oakland Raiders
P Matt Bosher (6th) – Miami ’11 – Atlanta Falcons
DE Oliver Vernon (3rd) – Miami ’12 – Miami Dolphins
LB Sean Spence (3rd) – Miami ’12 – Pittsburgh Steelers
RB Lamar Miller (4th) – Miami ’12 – Miami Dolphins
WR Travis Benjamin (4th) – Miami ’12 – Cleveland Browns
WR Tommy Streeter (6th) – Miami ’12 – Baltimore Ravens
OL Brandon Washington (6th) – Miami ’12 – Philadelphia Eagles
CB Brandon McGee (5th) – Miami ’13 – St. Louis
RB Mike James (6th) – Miami ’13 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
LB Chris Smith (5th) – Arkansas ’14 – Jacksonville Jaguars
LB Antonio Morrison (4th) – Florida ’16 – Indianapolis Colts
LB Jarrad Davis (1st) – Florida ’17 – Detroit Lions
LB Alex Anzalone (3rd) – Florida ’17 – New Orleans Saints
PLAYING CAREER
Shannon played linebacker at Miami (Fla.) and was a four-year starter and member of the 1987 national championship team. He was selected in the 11th round of the 1989 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys, playing two seasons. He attended Miami’s Norland High School and earned all-state and honorable mention All-America recognition as a senior linebacker. He was also an accomplished basketball player, averaging 19 points per game, while competing in the triple jump on the track and field team.
Personal Information
Birthdate: February 24, 1966
Hometown: Miami, Fla.
Education: 1989 – Bachelor’s degree from Miami
Bowl Games as a Coach
| 2016 |
Outback |
| 2015 |
Citrus |
| 2014 |
Texas |
| 2012 |
Buffalo Wild Wings |
| 2009 |
Champs Sports |
| 2008 |
Emerald |
| 2006 |
MPC Computers |
| 2005 |
Peach |
| 2004 |
Peach |
| 2004 |
Orange |
| 2003 |
Fiesta |
| 2002 |
Rose |
| 1996 |
CarQuest |
| 1995 |
Orange |
| 1994 |
Fiesta |
| 1993 |
Sugar |
| 1992 |
Orange |
