Tim Walton's Defense Suffered from Shannon's Past Poor Schemes

Tim Walton's dismissal as Defensive Coordinator for the Hurricanes on Monday isn't a great shock. But the reality is Walton whose schemes were basic inherited his basic defensive tendencies from his boss Randy Shannon whose defenses were equally simple and lacking in any sort of in-game adjustments. Beyond that the clear lack of talent at Walton's disposal particularly on the line and the injuries to Glen Cook and Anthony Reddick two guys who did have talent on the defense didn't help either.

Miami's defense was out schemed repeatedly last season. But even in better times overall for the Hurricanes, Randy Shannon was repeatedly out schemed. Recall the three game stretch in 2002 against Florida State, West Virginia and Rutgers when Miami defense was shredded and Shannon failed to adjust. Then think back to 2004 when Louisville, NC State and North Carolina threw all over the Canes in a similar three game stretch which culminated in an embarrassing loss in Chapel Hill to a mediocre (and that's being kind) UNC team. Despite high defensive rankings in 2005 and 2006 it seemed like when Shannon's defense needed to make a stop they could not. That trend continued in 2007 when on three occasions: at North Carolina, vs Georgia Tech and at Virginia Tech, Miami's offense had seized the momentum in a comeback effort and the defense flushed it down the toilet on the next drive.

I'm going to be perfectly honest. Miami's job opening is not very attractive in the College Football world. The talk of John Tenuta coming to the "U" is absurd. When he has the opportunity to make head coach money as a coordinator at a big state school why would he come some place where the Head Coach is paid like an assistant? The best bet for Shannon is try and lure a coordinator from a smaller D-1 school or perhaps a position coach from the NFL willing to take equal pay or a slight pay cut to manage a college defense in a major conference.

Now finally on this issue I give credit for Randy Shannon for making this change. He now has the opportunity to hire an Xs and Os guy to compliment the recruiting oriented staff he currently has. Patrick Nix is a recruiter first and a gameday coordinator second. Mike Barrow is a recruiter first and a gameday/practice position coach second. Same for the rest of the staff. Shannon perhaps has finally recognized that and will make the change that has to be made.