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Published Oct 30, 2017
Blog: Randy Shannon addresses media as interim head coach
Andrew Olson  •  1standTenFlorida
Staff Writer
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* Shannon opened his first press conference as head coach by talking about Florida's next opponent, Missouri.

* There will be competition for the starting quarterback job. Shannon hopes that competition will bring out the best in both quarterbacks.

* A big emphasis this week will be special teams. Shannon wants to see better starting field position.

* Shannon is emphasizing a message of look forward, don't look back. He knows that will be tough given the majority of the roster was recruited by former coach Jim McElwain.

* Shannon declined to call the four remaining regular-season games an audition for him as head coach.

* Freshman running back Malik Davis is out for the season. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Kylan Johnson is also likely out for the season and won't play against Missouri.

* With Davis out, Shannon wants to see senior running back Mark Thompson step up.

* Shannon says he's not a Twitter user and doesn't know about players finding out about McElwain's departure via social media.

* The quarterbacks won't be judged based on one game, but instead on the week of practice.

* Shannon doesn't want to look back on the past.

* Shannon has promoted defensive line coach and co-coordinator Chris Rumph to defensive coordinator. He doesn't believe a head coach should also be working as a coordinator.

* The open spot on the staff will be filled by Robb Akey, a former Idaho head coach and Washington Redskins defensive line coach. Akey will focus on the defensive line.

* Doug Nussmeier remains offensive coordinator and play-caller under Shannon.

* Shannon has not yet spoke to recruits.

* Shannon is opening up practice to give media more access to what is happening. He joked that media opinions will not affect him like they did when he was younger.

* Shannon emphasizes that the game plan against Missouri will be unique. He used Texas A&M as an example, saying Gators won't use same defensive scheme.

* A lot of Shannon friends from University of Miami have reached out to him to congratulate him on the promotion. He says he's not changed waking up Monday as coach of the Gators.

* Shannon says he and athletic director Scott Stricklin did not discuss his chances of becoming the full-time head coach. He is focused on Missouri and his current job, which he calls the best job he ever had.

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