Former Miami coach Randy Shannon is one of two candidates under consideration to replace Don Brown as the Terrapin football team's defensive coordinator, according to media reports.
ESPN's Bruce Feldman reported yesterday that Shannon is expected to interview today and tomorrow for the position, which was vacated Feb. 4 when Brown accepted an offer to join Connecticut's coaching staff in the same capacity.
The Washington Post also reported yesterday that former Terp assistant Kevin Lempa, who had coached the team's secondary the past four seasons, talked to coach Randy Edsall about the vacant defensive coordinator position last Friday. Edsall did not retain Lempa on his coaching staff after former coach Ralph Friedgen's contract was bought out, but he is reportedly in contention for the job.
Shannon had led Miami for the past four seasons, compiling a 28-22 record before he was fired just hours after his team capped a disappointing 7-5 season with a loss to South Florida in its regular-season finale. Although the Hurricanes were invited to a bowl game in all but Shannon's first season as coach, they went winless in postseason play.
Still, Shannon enjoyed consistent defensive success in Coral Gables, Fla. As the team's defensive coordinator from 2001-06, his defenses ranked no lower than 28th and as high as second nationally. Last season, the Hurricanes finished No. 22 overall in total defense.
TERP NOTE: Former Clemson assistant Andre Powell was named the team's running backs coach yesterday. Powell's hire filled the assistant position vacated by David Walker, who last week accepted a spot on the Indianapolis Colts' coaching staff.
Powell spent the past four seasons at Clemson as the team's running backs coach and also served as the team's special teams coordinator for the past three. The Lockhart, S.C., native helped oversee the development of running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller, two of the top three rushers in Clemson history.
jengelke@umdbk.com
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