SHANNON BREAKS NORM ON OFFENSE

If John Shannon becomes Southeast Missouri State University's next head football coach, one thing is certain.

The Indians' offense will be exciting and unusual at the same time.

Shannon, Jackson State's offensive coordinator, was the fourth and last finalist for the vacant Southeast coaching position to visit the campus for a day-long series of interviews.

After meeting with various school administrators behind closed doors Monday, Shannon addressed and fielded questions from Southeast boosters, a few players and the media during an afternoon gathering at the University Center.

Asked about his offense of choice, the apparently good-natured and friendly Shannon explained with a grin how his teams go away from the norm and never gather in a huddle.

"We're no huddle. We haven't been in a huddle on Saturday for 10 years," he said. "In basketball, you don't need to huddle. You just go play.

"We'll play four receivers and one back, five receivers and no back...We'll be very multiple. We'll do it all."

Added Shannon with a laugh, "We're going to work our tails off during the week. But Saturday is our fun day."

Defensively, although that's not his area of expertise, Shannon said, "I know what causes problems. That's pressure, speed. You need to come after 'em."

The 45-year-old Shannon has spent the past 22 years as an assistant coach on the collegiate level, ranging from Division I-A to Division III and just about everything in between.

Shannon has been the offensive coordinator at Jackson State since 1994, during which time the squad competed in the I-AA playoffs three times. Jackson State went 9-3 this season and was ranked 19th in the final I-AA national poll.

At Jackson State, Shannon directed a high-powered offense that produced a host of nationally ranked, highly decorated quarterbacks and receivers.

A native of Bowling Green, Ky., Shannon played football at Eastern Illinois and he previously coached at Morehead State and Western Kentucky. Eastern and Western are currently in the Ohio Valley Conference while Morehead used to be in the OVC.

"I feel I know the OVC and what it takes to win at this level," said Shannon, who was asked what he felt were some of his major strengths. "I think I'm a good recruiter and a good football coach. I feel like I'm a people person, which is important.

"Organization is a big key. There are only so many hours in a day. I'm a family man (he and wife Sally have three sons ages 15, 17 and 18). I'm going to spend time with them. But I feel like I know how to plan a day well enough to do that."

Of how long he thinks it might take to turn around the Indians -- who have gone 3-8 the last two seasons and went just 40-70 over the past 10 years under John Mumford, who resigned following the 1999 season -- Shannon said:

"I can't give you a time frame. My first goal is to be competitive in the OVC. I don't think we are competitive right now. Once you become competitive, the next goal is to win the OVC. If you do that, then you will naturally be invited to the I-AA playoffs. Once you get there, you have a chance to win the national title. That's our goal."

Shannon talked about his recruiting philosophy.

"I want to get the best talent I can," he said. "You need to look at (I-A) transfers, if those type of kids are out there, because they are the type of athletes you're looking for from day one, but you can't get them.

"You need to mix in junior-college kids. They can upgrade your level. But you're gonna build your program with kids who will be here four, five years."

As for the keys to turning around any struggling program, Shannon mentioned a commitment from the university as being vital.

"I think it's a great opportunity, a great situation, but it takes all of us to get it done," he said. "It's a diamond in the rough right now, but there's no reason Southeast can't win the OVC down the line if the commitment is there."

* The search committee for the vacant Southeast coaching position is scheduled to meet one last time today to discuss results of the interviews with the four finalists, after which Southeast athletic director Don Kaverman is expected to make a recommendation on the top candidate.

If things proceed well today, and Southeast officials are able to work everything out with the candidate of their choice, then the Indians' new coach could be introduced as early as Wednesday.

Marshall defensive coordinator Tim Billings appears to be the definite frontrunner for the position. The other finalists are Oklahoma State passing game coordinator Richard Wilson and Iowa State quarterback coach Phil Meyer.