MKRob Sports

A meeting between players and their new coaches has become a recent norm at the University of Miami during the spring.

Significant staff turnover has marked Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon’s first three seasons, but things have stabilized this year. A fairly quiet offseason in terms of coaching changes has made today’s start of spring practices less of an adjustment period. The 15 days of practices conclude with the spring game March 27.

“It’s great for us, having two coordinators that are back,” Shannon said. “You have some players understanding the full board of what we need to get done. The mind-set is they can go in and know what to expect out of coach [Mark] Whipple and [John] Lovett.”

This marks the first season under Shannon the Hurricanes enter with the same offensive and defensive coordinators as the previous year. Last year they had to replace Bill Young and Patrick Nix. Young left for Oklahoma State, while Nix was fired. In 2007, defensive coordinator Tim Walton and wide receivers coach Marquis Mosely were fired.

The only departures this year were running backs coach Tommie Robinson and defensive line coach Clint Hurtt, leaving for jobs with the Arizona Cardinals and Louisville, respectively. Shannon said it will create a more familiar environment, with players already accustomed to the staff.

“Last year, [the coaches] didn’t know anyone’s athletic ability,” Shannon said. “Coach Whipple coming from the NFL to college, the speed difference you really don’t know until you get involved. Then you go from the standpoint of coach Lovett, he’s trying to recognize and figure out guys. Right now, both have a good mind-set of what our players can do after a year of going through the whole process of coaching offense, defense and evaluating.”

Shannon even hired two coaches with UM ties to replace Robinson and Hurtt. Rick Petri, who was on staff from 1993-95, returns to coach the defensive line. Mike Cassano, a former Hurricanes graduate assistant, will coach the running backs.

“I worked with both of the coaches, so it’s nothing new to me,” Shannon said. “I worked with coach [Rick] Petri when I was here and he had Warren Sapp, Kenard [Lang], Kevin Patrick, Kenny Holmes and those guys who back then were very productive. It’s great to have an opportunity to get him back at Miami. He’s a proven commodity. Coach Cas has always been a great recruiter, great coach.”

With the team not dealing with as much change, it should allow more time to focus on more important issues. Quarterback Jacory Harris will miss the spring after having offseason hand surgery. A.J. Highsmith, Spencer Whipple and freshman Stephen Morris will take most of the reps. All are in competition for the No. 2 job.

“It’s also a bad but good situation to find out who is our No. 2 quarterback with Jacory [Harris] not being able to participate, running plays,” Shannon said. “He will be doing drill work but won’t be throwing the ball. We’ll find out on developing a No. 2 guy, which is very key to the stage of getting you football ready.”