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SPORTS
MU Notebook: It's unusual, but Shannon coaching on sideline
Marshall quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator John Shannon goes through some drills with quarterback Mark Cann, as tight ends coach Phil Ratliff looks on, during the Herd’s first practice in full pads Aug. 9. In an unusual move, Shannon has decided to do his in-game coaching from the sideline. Most coordinators are found in the coaches’ box on game day, but coach Mark Snyder says he thinks Shannon has a calming influence by being on the sideline.
Purchase this photoYes, it's unconventional, but early on it's proving effective.
There was John Shannon, Marshall University's first-year offensive coordinator, on the sideline for Saturday's season-opener against Illinois State. Coordinators usually hover from high-level coaches' boxes on game day, but Shannon is hands-on in 2008.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Mark Cann was predictably uneven in his debut, but Shannon provided instruction -- and just as important -- a sense of calm. Saturday's atmosphere will be anything but, facing No. 11 Wisconsin at raucous Camp Randall Stadium. Kickoff for the game is noon (EST) and the game will be televised by the Big Ten Network.
With a few days to absorb his team's 35-10 season opening victory, Marshall head coach Mark Snyder didn't hide his opinion of Shannon's sideline presence. It's an outside-the-box move, but sensible for this season.
"I don't know how he (Shannon) feels about it but I love it, especially with a young quarterback, young tackles," Snyder said. "He can sit there and talk to the receiver who's right there next to him.
"I love it. I think it's a calming effect with everybody involved."
Both in high school and in his first year in Huntington, Cann's offensive coordinator has coached from the booth on game days. The veteran assistant has operated from both high and low during his 24 years as a college assistant and is understanding of this season's circumstance.
"Really whether I'm in the booth or on the sideline you've got to make a decision of what's going to help your team the most," Shannon said. "And probably, preferably, most coordinators would rather be upstairs because you can see, but in this situation you've got young quarterbacks, new offensive system; it was the best place for me to be on the sidelines to where I can manage the game from down there."
Cann, mature beyond his years and possessing poise normally found in a coach's son (Mark's father, John, coached him at South Carolina's Landrum High School), completed half of his 22 attempts for 161 yards and a touchdown with one interception. Like all involved, he favors the up-close approach on game days.
"He can come and find me whenever he wants to, whereas we're on the phone, we hang up and basically we're done," Cann said. "Instead of relaying it through someone else, it's just him.
"I think it works well. It was nice. After I threw that pick he was able to bring me over and talk to me and I think that was good."
The pick was an underthrown toss in the south end zone's corner. Instead of ranting, Shannon was instructional with his underclassman.
"He was just trying to calm me down, saying we can't make that throw," Cann said.
That task is aided when you're face to face, instead of conversing via headsets or phones.
"It just allows me to read the temperature of the guys, look them in the eyes," Shannon said. "There are pluses and minuses. You're upstairs, maybe you can see a little more on the field, but you can't see their eyes. You can't talk to them one on one.
"You talk on the phone; that's a little different. On the field the advantage you see them one on one. You can make your corrections right there with them.
"They can counter back and forth. Here's what I saw. Here's what I thought. It worked real well for us."
Bottom line, it serves a calming purpose for a first-year quarterback, probably not a bad thing with 80,000-plus fans filling Camp Randall.
"It does, because we'll get down there and go over the situations or what are you seeing and here's what we're seeing," Shannon said. "Either what you're seeing is right, or no you need to be thinking this.
"It's going to be good for us to be on the sidelines and really help him kind of relax through the game."
Anthony Hanshew covers Marshall football for The Herald-Dispatch. He can be reached at 526-2766. His e-mail address is hanshew@herald-dispatch.com.
