When Miami fired Larry Coker last month, the university announced plans for a wide-ranging search for his replacement, even hiring a consultant to add expertise.
All the Hurricanes apparently needed to do was look down the hall.
Longtime Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon will replace Coker as coach of the Hurricanes, The Miami Herald reported. The school scheduled a news conference for Friday morning to announce the decision, but declined to confirm that Shannon was the choice.
Shannon and Miami athletic director Paul Dee did not return calls from The Associated Press.
Even though players had not been formally told that Shannon was being promoted, many were thrilled by the news.
``It's the guy that I wanted. It's the guy a lot of us wanted,'' Miami quarterback Kirby Freeman told The AP. ``Randy's been extremely sincere to this football program. He's been sincere about his feelings toward everyone on this team and the direction he wants this program to go. This is definitely the decision I wanted.''
Last week, Dee said the university had ``serious interest'' in Shannon, even though the school was also speaking with Rutgers coach Greg Schiano - a former Miami assistant - and Texas Tech's Mike Leach about replacing Coker, who was fired after the Hurricanes went 6-6 in the regular season.
ncaafootball.com
Report: Shannon hired as Miami coach
Report: Shannon hired as Miami coach
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