FSU football: Former Hurricane head coach Randy Shannon joins staff

FSU football head coach Mike Norvell had a defensive analyst position open on the staff and made a splash hire Monday.

Former Miami Hurricane head coach and Florida Defensive Coordinator Randy Shannon has been hired by the Noles in the position.

Shannon also has experience as a defensive coordinator at UCF and the Miami Dolphins.

Mike Norvell spoke on the hire via press release:

"“Randy Shannon is a tremendous addition to our staff,” Norvell said. “I have all the respect in the world for the person and coach Randy Shannon is. His unique perspective will be valuable to Coach Fuller and the rest of our defensive staff, while his relationships in Miami and throughout the state of Florida will be a great benefit for our entire program.”"

I have to give Mike Norvell credit because this is about as good as you can get in terms of hiring a defensive analyst. I know Jimbo Fisher didn’t respect Randy Shannon’s defenses that much, but hiring him for recruiting in the state of Florida alone makes this a home run hire.

Fisher did smoke Shannon’s defenses at Miami, but his defenses routinely finished among the best in the nation.

It also gives FSU defensive coordinator Adam Fuller another person on the staff with years of experience to lean on when game-planning opponents. Shannon’s experience as a linebackers coach should help that unit as well.

Shannon’s recruiting ties in Florida remain strong as he’s spent the last three years as the defensive coordinator at UCF. He was at Florida before that stint, so the hire should pay dividends in recruiting while working alongside Ryan Bartow.

FSU has seen a resurgence among higher-quality blue-chip recruits over the past six months. One of the goals of the staff is to win more in-state recruiting battles in Florida and keep those blue-chip players from going out-of-state or to rival programs.

Shannon is originally from Miami, Florida, and played college ball at Miami. Those credentials should help the Noles to continue their presence in South Florida.

Shannon should help do that and could fill a coaching role on defense should any changes take place in the future at linebacker’s coach or defensive coordinator.