Hurricanes coach Randy Shannon signs four-year deal

After months — even years — of waiting and wondering when and if he would get a contract extension, Randy Shannon has been rewarded with a new four-year contract, the university announced Wednesday night. Shannon was about to enter his final season of the original four-year deal. “There’s no other place I’d rather be than coaching Hurricanes football,” Shannon said in a statement. “I’m excited about the momentum we continue to build and our strong recruiting classes. We have dedicated student-athletes and an experienced and committed coaching staff, a strong athletic program and the university leadership’s support — all important components consistent with long-term success.” The financial terms of the contract were not announced. It is believed Shannon started his first season as the coach in 2007 with a salary approaching $800,000 and made about $1 million in 2009. The Associated Press reported that Shannon’s new salary will be “around the midpoint” of coaches in the Atlantic Coast Conference. — Miami Herald