on his own really?? Understand the relationships at work. Frankie just sent him out to his buddies for seasoning ala Joe did for Jay.
His first GA stop?? Ol' buddy George Oleary. Frankie, Ralph (yes that Ralph ), George , and Booby Ross are all thick as thieves, as they all worked together, coached together etc. so when Shane needed a job, he called his old pal George, step 1.
Next question, how many time you see a guy go from GA at one school to full time coach at another school? (especially one he didn't play at?) well other than Bill Kenney, its very rare.
Now after GAing at UT, he gets a full time job at Mississippi State with Sylvester Crooms. Good work if you can get it. Booby Ross gave Sylvester Crooms his first OC job with the Detroit Loins. Bobby Ross and Frankie are very tight. Bobby(Frankie) got Shane that job.
the real question is, why didn't Shane get a job at Louisiana- Layette ?? Why there? Why ask that? Wouldn't that be the kind of place a young coach would want to make their bones?? Why go to UT and be a GA when you could be full time coach at ULL?? Ask Ricky Bustle about that. Who? The HC at ULL at the time, and a former OC for Frankie at VT. Would be interesting to know why Ricky never called and offered. And for the record I don't know.