Randy Shannon brings collegiate head-coaching experience, an extensive defensive coaching background and a familiarity with Florida recruiting strongholds to his role at UCF. Shannon joined the Knights’ staff as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in December of 2017 and was named interim head coach in January of 2021.
With Shannon on staff, UCF in 2018 completed its second straight undefeated regular season and capped it with an American Athletic Conference Championship. The Knights earned a berth to the 2019 Fiesta Bowl and rose as high as seventh in both the Associated Press Top 25 and Amway Coaches Poll. UCF followed that with a 10-3 campaign in 2019 to join an elite list of teams with at least 22 combined wins over those two seasons. The Knights have the eighth highest winning percentage (22-4) over the last two seasons.
Shannon’s defense had a stellar 2018 campaign. UCF allowed just 22.7 points per game and ranked sixth in the nation with 28 forced turnovers. The Knights racked up 8.2 tackles for loss per game, fifth most in the nation, and had 29 sacks. Richie Grant led the way with six picks, third most in the nation, while Nate Evans had a pair of fumble recoveries, including a 94-yard touchdown recovery and return against East Carolina. Second-half adjustments were key to the Knights’ success, as opponents scored just 8.5 points per second half, including 3.3 points per third quarter.
Then, in 2019 UCF led the country in tackles for loss (9.0 per game), improved its NCAA statistical ranking in total defense by 63 spots (to 32th at 346.1 yards per game) and bettered its rushing defense ranking by 64 slots (to 146.6 per game). The Knights allowed 23.0 points per game, also rating fifth nationally in third-down defense and third in passing efficiency defense—and all the UCF defensive averages marked the best for the Knights since 2014.
The 2020 UCF squad led the nation in fumbles recovered with 13 and ranked sixth in the country in forced turnovers with 22. Leading the way for the Knights was Jim Thorpe Award finalist and Bednarik Award semifinalist Richie Grant, who paced the team in tackles with 72 (49 solo) to go with 3.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. UCF again ranks among the national team leaders in tackles for loss—28th at 7.1 per game.
Under Shannon’s leadership, seven Knights earned all-conference honors in 2018, including first-team members Nate Evans at linebacker, Nevelle Clarke at cornerback and Richie Grant at safety. Defensive linemen Titus Davis and Brendon Hayes, along with linebacker Pat Jasinski, were second-team honorees--while cornerback Brandon Moore garnered honorable mention status. Then in 2019, Grant again became a first-team selection, Hayes and Evans joined defensive back Aaron Robinson on the second team—and Clarke and defensive lineman Kenny Turnier merited honorable mention status. Robinson also claimed honorable mention listing on the Pro Football Focus All-America squad, while Nate Evans garnered honorable mention All-America honors from Phil Steele. In 2020, Grant was again a first-team All-AAC selection, earning the distinction unanimously, while Robinson was a second-team all-conference honoree. Grant was also a Phil Steele honorable mention All-American following his senior season in 2020.
Defensive lineman Trysten Hill continued a long line of players coached by Shannon to be drafted into the NFL, going in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys.
Shannon joined the Knights’ staff as defensive coordinator in December 2017 and concluded his third season in that role in 2020. With more than 25 years of coaching experience, Shannon came to Orlando following three seasons at Florida that included time as the Gators’ defensive coordinator and interim head coach.
Shannon was the head coach at Miami from 2007-10 and was the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator for six previous seasons from 2001-06. The former Miami linebacker has won three national championships as a coach and a player.
Shannon’s defense in Gainesville ranked fifth in the nation in total defense in 2016, allowing just 293.0 yards per game. His squad was also the second-best pass defense in the country, allowing opponents 148.5 yards per game.
Prior to his time at Florida, Shannon spent time at Arkansas, TCU, the NFL Miami Dolphins, and most notably Miami. While defensive coordinator for the Hurricanes, his defenses ranked in the top 10 in the nation in five of six seasons.
Shannon won the Frank Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s best assistant coach, in 2001 and had 25 defensive players drafted by the NFL--including 12 first-round picks--during that span.
During his time as a head coach at Miami, Shannon consistently brought in some of the nation’s best recruiting classes, including his 2008 signing class that ranked as the top group in the country by ESPN.
Shannon got his start in coaching at Miami in 1991 after playing two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. He was a four-year starting linebacker for the Hurricanes and a member of the 1987 national championship team.
With Shannon on staff, UCF in 2018 completed its second straight undefeated regular season and capped it with an American Athletic Conference Championship. The Knights earned a berth to the 2019 Fiesta Bowl and rose as high as seventh in both the Associated Press Top 25 and Amway Coaches Poll. UCF followed that with a 10-3 campaign in 2019 to join an elite list of teams with at least 22 combined wins over those two seasons. The Knights have the eighth highest winning percentage (22-4) over the last two seasons.
Shannon’s defense had a stellar 2018 campaign. UCF allowed just 22.7 points per game and ranked sixth in the nation with 28 forced turnovers. The Knights racked up 8.2 tackles for loss per game, fifth most in the nation, and had 29 sacks. Richie Grant led the way with six picks, third most in the nation, while Nate Evans had a pair of fumble recoveries, including a 94-yard touchdown recovery and return against East Carolina. Second-half adjustments were key to the Knights’ success, as opponents scored just 8.5 points per second half, including 3.3 points per third quarter.
Then, in 2019 UCF led the country in tackles for loss (9.0 per game), improved its NCAA statistical ranking in total defense by 63 spots (to 32th at 346.1 yards per game) and bettered its rushing defense ranking by 64 slots (to 146.6 per game). The Knights allowed 23.0 points per game, also rating fifth nationally in third-down defense and third in passing efficiency defense—and all the UCF defensive averages marked the best for the Knights since 2014.
The 2020 UCF squad led the nation in fumbles recovered with 13 and ranked sixth in the country in forced turnovers with 22. Leading the way for the Knights was Jim Thorpe Award finalist and Bednarik Award semifinalist Richie Grant, who paced the team in tackles with 72 (49 solo) to go with 3.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. UCF again ranks among the national team leaders in tackles for loss—28th at 7.1 per game.
Under Shannon’s leadership, seven Knights earned all-conference honors in 2018, including first-team members Nate Evans at linebacker, Nevelle Clarke at cornerback and Richie Grant at safety. Defensive linemen Titus Davis and Brendon Hayes, along with linebacker Pat Jasinski, were second-team honorees--while cornerback Brandon Moore garnered honorable mention status. Then in 2019, Grant again became a first-team selection, Hayes and Evans joined defensive back Aaron Robinson on the second team—and Clarke and defensive lineman Kenny Turnier merited honorable mention status. Robinson also claimed honorable mention listing on the Pro Football Focus All-America squad, while Nate Evans garnered honorable mention All-America honors from Phil Steele. In 2020, Grant was again a first-team All-AAC selection, earning the distinction unanimously, while Robinson was a second-team all-conference honoree. Grant was also a Phil Steele honorable mention All-American following his senior season in 2020.
Defensive lineman Trysten Hill continued a long line of players coached by Shannon to be drafted into the NFL, going in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft to the Dallas Cowboys.
Shannon joined the Knights’ staff as defensive coordinator in December 2017 and concluded his third season in that role in 2020. With more than 25 years of coaching experience, Shannon came to Orlando following three seasons at Florida that included time as the Gators’ defensive coordinator and interim head coach.
Shannon was the head coach at Miami from 2007-10 and was the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator for six previous seasons from 2001-06. The former Miami linebacker has won three national championships as a coach and a player.
Shannon’s defense in Gainesville ranked fifth in the nation in total defense in 2016, allowing just 293.0 yards per game. His squad was also the second-best pass defense in the country, allowing opponents 148.5 yards per game.
Prior to his time at Florida, Shannon spent time at Arkansas, TCU, the NFL Miami Dolphins, and most notably Miami. While defensive coordinator for the Hurricanes, his defenses ranked in the top 10 in the nation in five of six seasons.
Shannon won the Frank Broyles Award, which is presented annually to the nation’s best assistant coach, in 2001 and had 25 defensive players drafted by the NFL--including 12 first-round picks--during that span.
During his time as a head coach at Miami, Shannon consistently brought in some of the nation’s best recruiting classes, including his 2008 signing class that ranked as the top group in the country by ESPN.
Shannon got his start in coaching at Miami in 1991 after playing two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys. He was a four-year starting linebacker for the Hurricanes and a member of the 1987 national championship team.