[Update x 2] Randy Shannon to UCLA Speculation Gets Stronger

I think we spoke with Shannon’s camp some time ago and, since then, have been trying to see if we could make the numbers work. The timing of the Saturday announcement re: Johnson and Chow and the Sunday interview is telling, IMHO.

Now UCLA has about ten days to recruit, recruit, recruit.

but you never know. It seems pretty implausible that a recruit would wait this long just to see where he would go. He will certainly boost our recruiting efforts.

Of greater concern: who will he hire as his assitants?

but you have to think that our chances of getting Tony Steward got a little better. Miami was not a finalist (down to FSU, Clemson and us) for Steward but Shannon has run some highly ranked defenses, helped get a ton of guys to the NFL and played LB.

I think one reason we were desperate for a more aggressive scheme from Bullough was to make up for no pass rush, bad tackling, blown assignments, soft coverage, poor fundamentals, etc.

If our D line wants to plug all the holes and pressure the passer by themselves, and our DB’s want to jam receivers to disrupt their timing and stay in their face, and everyone wants to make the tackle on the first oportunity, I’ll be ok with that.

one of the first recruits that were contacted and informed that he’d been hired. Like Steward, McClure, etc etc all the guys on the fence that needed to know.

you can have an entire defense of five star recruits and still have a crappy season =—→ see U$C

Love it.

I really hope Fauria gets more opportunities — and love the way he is calling on the players to step up and take responsibility.

These guys are TERRIBLE at keeping things under wraps lol.

I’ve never seen so many expose tweets in my life.

I’m told that Coach Rick Neuheisel likes Shannon but that one of the issues regarding a potential hiring could be money. As a head coach, Shannon was making approximately $1.2 million before receiving a four-year extension prior to last season. We’re told he may have been making around $1.75 million in 2010. Comparatively, Chuck Bullough who was fired in December, was only making $325,000 as UCLA’s defensive coordinator. It’s possible the school will be able to pay around what Norm Chow made, which is $500,000.

To grow up in a difficult environment, and still to overcome it and succeed shows a real strength of character. Price grew up in a hard neighborhood, and had two brothers killed by gang violence. We know what kind of person Brian Price is.

It’s awful to hear what Shannon has had to endure, but I imagine it is also a testament to his character to have achieved the success he has, despite some awful events in his life. That’s the kind of person you want serving as a mentor to younger people.

and did very well by us.

Don’t trust one, never will. I know Chow wasn’t technically a Trojan; but he was. I was never comfortable with him being in a position of power for our. team. I’m sure he did his best; but there was always doubt in my mind.
Love Shannon. Crossing my fingers on pulling this one out.