The excitement surrounding the next football hire at the University of Miami reached the basketball court earlier today when coach Frank Haith opened his press conference with with an update. "I've got breaking news," Haith joked. "I'm taking the offensive coordinator job."
All jokes aside, somebody is expected to get the job soon (at least that is what I was told by a UM source inside). The hot name I and everyone else is hearing now in the last 24 hours is the one our Barry Jackson reported first a few weeks ago -- Philadelphia Eagles assistant coach Mark Whipple. I'm not saying that's definitely the guy, but that is the name emitting from just about everywhere.
Just so you know, I got off the phone with UM Sports Information Director Kerwin Lonzo at 4:15 p.m. who told me "we've got nothing to report yet." Lonzo promised me as soon as he hears something he'll get back to me and the other trillion news services who cover the Canes. Just so you know, I called the Philadelphia Eagles earlier this morning and spoke to their media relations department twice. No news from them either. I was told "all of our coaches are not in today."
The question is, is Whipple in the UM office today? "I know this, coach [Shannon's flight] got in late [earlier today]," Lonzo said. "We obviously have a big recruiting weekend. As soon as we get a chance to talk to him, we'll let you know if there is any news."
So, stay tuned. In the meantime...
First!!! THANKS MANNY!!!
Posted by: CanesFanStuckInNYC | January 23, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Eres un pinguo!!!
Thanks Manny.
Posted by: pb | January 23, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Looks like a contract it being worked out before the official announcement!!
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 04:34 PM
any bio on whipple, what kind of offense does he run?
Posted by: Canesfan2121 | January 23, 2009 at 04:35 PM
BRING IT!!!
Posted by: 360Cane | January 23, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Thanks, Manny. You are the man. Whipple sounds like the best OC we could ever hope for
Posted by: Windy1 | January 23, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Whipple
With a Division I-AA championship and a Super Bowl championship ring in hand, Mark Whipple joined the Eagles on January 28, 2008, as an offensive assistant.
The 50-year-old Whipple spent 2004-06 as the quarterbacks coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In that capacity he was instrumental in the development of Ben Roethlisberger, who became the youngest starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl as the Steelers defeated Seattle in Super Bowl XL. In 2004, Roethlisberger became the first NFL quarterback to finish a season undefeated with a 13-0 record in his starts.
Whipple spent 16 seasons as a head coach at the collegiate level, where he compiled an overall record of 121-59 (.672). At the University of Massachusetts he posted a 49-25 (.662) record in six years (1998-2003), leading the Minutemen to a Division I-AA national championship in 1998 and two conference championships. Whipple also served as a head coach at his alma mater Brown from 1994-97, where he accumulated a 24-16 (.600) record without a losing season. He also was the head coach at New Haven from 1988-93. Whipple earned multiple awards during his head coaching career, including the American Football Coaches Association's Division I-AA National Coach of the Year award in 1998.
His coaching career began in 1980 as an assistant at St. Lawrence University. He also held assistant coaching positions with Union College (1981-82), Brown (1983), Arizona Wranglers (USFL, 1984) and New Hampshire (1986-87).
Whipple earned a bachelor's degree in political science in 1979 from Brown, where he was the Bears starting quarterback from 1977-78. After being a member of the school's first-ever Ivy League championship team in 1976, he led the team to a 13-5 record as a starter and was inducted into the school's athletic hall of fame in 1996. Whipple was also a four-year letterman on the Bears baseball team.
Born April 1, 1957 in Tarrytown, NY, Mark and his wife, Brenda, have two sons, Spencer and Austin.
Mark Whipple's Coaching Timeline
Year
Team
Position
1976-78 Brown *Quarterback
1980 St. Lawrence Assistant Coach
1981-82 Union College Offensive Coordinator
1983 Brown Wide Receivers
1984 Arizona Wranglers (USFL) Offensive Quality Control
1986-87 New Hampshire Offensive Coordinator
1988-93 New Haven Head Coach
1994-97 Brown Head Coach
1998-2003 Massachusetts Head Coach
2004-06 Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterbacks Coach
2008- Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Assistant Coach
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 04:36 PM
whip'em good, good job Manny!!
Posted by: Ucane305 | January 23, 2009 at 04:37 PM
MIke Martz was seen at Coral Gables ( Coincidence)?
Posted by: caneinsider | January 23, 2009 at 04:38 PM
Discuss!!!!
Posted by: caneinsider | January 23, 2009 at 04:39 PM
isn't martz going to tennessee?
Posted by: Ucane305 | January 23, 2009 at 04:40 PM
thanks mandingo. we're all on the edge of our seats!!!
in the words of that old skool 80's music group the dazz band---
just whip it baby (as in whipple!), and whip it right!!!
cmon randy-- close the deal!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Mike Martz was probably having some chimichangas in Little Havana that's about it.
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 04:40 PM
YO MANNY, WHAT'S HAPPENIN' BABY, WHAT HAPPENED TO THE LUKE INTERVIEW, I WAITED ALL SEASON FOR THAT PIECE, I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING ON IT...RIGHT?
BUT ANYWAY, I THINK YOU'RE DOING A MANGNAMINOUS JOB OF COVERING THE B-BALL TEAM, AND KEEPING US INFORMED ON THE INS AND OUTS OF THE FOOTBALL TEAM THIS OFFSEASON (LOVED THE SWASEY STUFF BY THE WAY).
OH YEAH, HEY MANNY, DO YOU SEE ANTONIO DIXON GETTING DRAFTED, OR WILL HE BE AN UNDRAFTED FREE AGENT?
Posted by: 7AND6ISSOSO | January 23, 2009 at 04:40 PM
martz???? what ever. don't want him. his an egotistical maniacal idiot. a genius nonetheless but wouldn't be good for our chemistry.
just whip it baby!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 04:43 PM
LUKE INTERVIEW-- THAT WOULD BE HOT!!!
SHAKE WHAT YA MAMMA GAVE YA!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Maybe Luke knows who the OC is. ha ha
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 04:46 PM
I guess we over filled your email box huh Manny? Thanks for the update...
Posted by: csteelejr | January 23, 2009 at 04:50 PM
1CANEINATL, I KEEP TELLING MANNY, HE NEEDS TO LAND THAT INTERVIEW, BECAUSE AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED,UNCLE LUKE IS STILL RELEVANT, HELL, THEY EVEN GAVE HIM HIS OWN REALITY SHOW (AS SHORT-LIVED AS IT WAS).
Posted by: 7AND6ISSOSO | January 23, 2009 at 04:54 PM
you're right. i know randy is trying to "clean up" the program's image, but no one can argue that the "luke aesthetic" sells to young high school athletes-- and 40 year old former athletes too!!!! nyaaamean????
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 05:11 PM
speaking of the luke genre of music-- my brother produced the song-- "ballin boyz" aka--"whatcha know about them miami boyz?" that beat and genre-- and the aethetics that went along with it put miami and south florida on the map.
bring back luke!!! bring back dem ballin boyz!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 05:20 PM
How bout' Brotha Marquis, Marquis ya brotha, Treach DJ Mister Mix, and The Fresh Kid Ice?
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 05:20 PM
speaking of the luke genre of music-- my brother produced the song-- "ballin boyz" aka--"whatcha know about them miami boyz?" that beat and genre-- and the aethetics that went along with it put miami and south florida on the map.
bring back luke!!! bring back dem ballin boyz!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 05:21 PM
bring em back and bring back the swagga and championships!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 05:23 PM
Whipple sounds like a good coach, but it doesn't sound like he favors a run first, pro-style offense. Check out this link...
http://www.igglesblog.com/iggles_blog/2008/02/who-is-mark-whi.html
Still, he seems to turn programs around quickly and score boatloads of points. That would be a nice change.
Posted by: ChicagoCane | January 23, 2009 at 05:24 PM
Dang
I still have the Hurricanes jacket they wore on their first album cover.
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 05:25 PM
I'm still hopefull we get this guy from Rutgers. What is going on with Chudzinski? What about Chuck Long? I think we need someone that is young and energetic.
Posted by: CANES25 | January 23, 2009 at 05:27 PM
you are truly caneskool!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 05:27 PM
Didnt Chud resign with the Browns?
Posted by: Category5Cane | January 23, 2009 at 05:40 PM
He was fired but he's not interested in coming back to college
Posted by: ChrisCane | January 23, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Luke to return as Recruiting Coordinator
Posted by: Big Moo | January 23, 2009 at 05:49 PM
Didn't Luke recruit part time in the Late 80's?
ha ha
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Wow im suprised that he would leave the NFL to come here, but its great news if it happens...
Posted by: Canadian Cane Fan | January 23, 2009 at 05:52 PM
BRING BACK LUKE! BRING BACK LUKE! LUKE, LUKE, LUKE!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 05:52 PM
There setting up the media stage, I big announcement is coming really soon.
Posted by: HurricaneSeason09 | January 23, 2009 at 05:53 PM
I wonder how this is going to effect Bryce's decision
Posted by: Category5Cane | January 23, 2009 at 05:56 PM
FOR REAL??!!
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 05:56 PM
HurricaneSeason09, can you find out more info. about what the stage is for?!?
Don't mess with us now...
Posted by: Caneiac | January 23, 2009 at 05:57 PM
cmon baby. talk to me!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Manny, what's up with the stage??
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 05:59 PM
Over at canesport there is confusion about whether Shannon is even back from recruiting. I don't have access, so I can't see the content of the posts in Gary Ferman's message boards/war room. But there are threads both titled Shannon is back and Shannon is not back (or something to that effect) with very recent posts. Anyone have any definitive info. as to whether or head coach is even around?
Posted by: Caneiac | January 23, 2009 at 06:02 PM
Mark Pray the Assistant Athletic Director for Communications is on hand, this has got to be it.
Posted by: HurricaneSeason09 | January 23, 2009 at 06:02 PM
I just hope the don't announce that there will be a future announcement. That would suck!!
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 06:03 PM
Hope this is settled soon, we need a d-coordinator too. Randy can't do that and be head coach.
Posted by: Canesjunkie | January 23, 2009 at 06:04 PM
maybe the stage is for luke and the dancers? luke dancers baby!!!
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 06:04 PM
If it's for Luke and the dancers, I need that on YouTube baby!!!
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 06:05 PM
OMG!
Posted by: HurricaneSeason09 | January 23, 2009 at 06:06 PM
Alright what?
Posted by: CaliCanesFan | January 23, 2009 at 06:06 PM
CaliCanesFan you hit it right down the middle.
Posted by: HurricaneSeason09 | January 23, 2009 at 06:07 PM
hurricaneseason09 are you at the hect? i have a friend whose there too who says nothing is happening.
Posted by: 1caneinatl | January 23, 2009 at 06:08 PM