Maryland has made an offer to former Miami head coach Randy Shannon to be its defensive coordinator, a source with knowledge of the talks between Shannon and the school told The Baltimore Sun.
Shannon has indicated he wants the job, the source said. There was no signed agreement as of late Thursday afternoon, and Shannon had returned to Miami to take care of unspecified business while Maryland awaited his response.
Shannon's hiring would be important for Maryland's defense and recruiting. He was the Hurricanes' coach from 2007 until his dismissal at the end of a 2010 regular season in which Miami went 7-5. He served six seasons as defensive coordinator before that. Shannon's defenses were nationally ranked in the top 10 in turnover margin twice and led the nation in 2001, when it allowed just 12 touchdowns.
Shannon's hiring would complete new coach Randy Edsall's staff. Shannon would replace Don Brown, who had been a holdover from former Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen's tenure. Brown left unexpectedly last week for the same position at Connecticut, saying he wanted to be closer to his family in New England.
Under Brown, Maryland's defense was among the Atlantic Coast Conference's best in creating turnovers.
Shannon did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
