Key To Happiness: Lowering Expectations

High expectations can lead to unrealized goals which often causes frustration and disappointment. Low expectations are often exceeded which leads to an increased sense of optimism and well being.

So it appears that the key to happiness is to simply lower your expectations, right? To simply just wake up, breathe some fresh air and be able to see one more beautiful sunrise should make you just as happy as you can be!

A small minority of Miami Hurricane football fans appear to have given up their hopes and dreams of ever fielding a National Championship team again.

It seems clear now that they have lowered their expectations to the point where winning nine games, losing to basketball schools like Duke and getting blown out by Louisville in a meaningless bowl game in some dank, old stadium somewhere in Orlando is just fine with them.

Oh, and forget about even having a chance to beat FSU. That is just crazy!

In fact, the fans with these low expectations not only fully expect and accept it to lose 3 or 4 games a season, they embrace and defend it with great passion. They are proud, progressive, modern thinking, current day college football fans. They are the new U who don't even know "The U".

These fans have set their expectations so low that it is basically impossible to be disappointed. What makes it so completely confusing to many is that they appear to be perfectly happy in their new found "safe zone".

Trust me, there is no coach, player or any real fan of any team that plans, predicts or wants to lose any game. However, after much thought and deliberation, I have decided to completely ignore them and join the "low expectation" crowd with great reluctance and trepidation.

So, I thought I would share my new "low expectation" goals for 2014:

• If Miami wins one game, any game,by one point, I will be happy.
• If at least some people show up for home games I will be happy.
• If Miami scores less than 10 points a game I will still be happy.
• If UM allows over 30 points a game I will also be happy.
• If Miami allows 500 yards a game on defense I will be happy.
• If the UM goes three-and-out on every possession I will be happy.
• If the sun shines during football games I will be hot and happy.
• If it rains like crazy during football games I will be wet and happy.
• In fact, I have decided that I will just be happy to be happy.

There, I feel so much better now. In fact, I am going to start a support group for people with low expectations. I think we will start all of our meetings by introducing ourselves like this:

"Hi, my name is ______________ I have low expectations and I feel happy!

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Comments

[30CINCO]

360Cane - To add to your post in regards to Butch.

"From his career-opening loss in 1995 to his fourth-ranked squad getting upset at No. 15 Washington in 2000, Davis was consistently put through the ringer.

The worst came in September 1997 when Davis was publicly shamed on game day by the Miami fans at the Orange Bowl after a 1-2 start to his third season.

Fans ponied up money to fly a banner over the stadium which read, "From National Champs to National Chumps...Thanks, Butch!" They blamed the third-year coach working to fix the mess left by his predecessors, who turned a blind eye to improper conduct. (Sound familiar?)"

[thirstybuzzardcane]

I would hate to see what Comartie's is paying in child support....Geez!!!!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

I wonder what Gary Ferman is saying about Penn State/Golden situation...LOL. He might of been right all along!!!

[CaneRock]

Cromartie reads JUST FINE!
I know His parents...GOOD!,EDUCATED! people.

[Terrance Sullivan]

Great article Soup!

[Ohio_Cane]

Whyche is still waiting on the appeal. If it's granted, he can come immediately after it's done. If not, he's coming in May.

Huge for us for both of them!

[Ohio_Cane]

Hurricanes Football ‏@MiamiHurricanes 2m

Miami's 2014 Spring Football Game will be held Saturday, April 12 at Sun Life Stadium. Kickoff at 6 p.m.

[CaneRock]

"I think Al Golden would have served all of those purposes. But his interview Saturday did not end with an offer. And he clearly needed to tell the people who now employ him at Miami something, especially after more than a week of silence about his future. So he told them what he had to – that he was staying. I think he had no choice. Would he renege and reengage with his alma mater if it presented a viable offer? I don’t know."

http://www.pennlive.com/sports/index.ssf/2014/01/al_golden_and_mike_munchak_off.html

[Ohio_Cane]

Ariz:

MNW's Smith solid to Miami

There have been a few reports over the past couple of months that Miami commit Mike Smith was still open to listening to other schools. The hybrid pass rushing prospect says his commitment is strong.

“I am solid to Miami and will be visiting next Friday. I’m looking forward to sitting down with the defensive coordinator and talking about how they will use him. I think they’ll stand me up as a linebacker,” said Smith.

There was a rumor floating around that Smith had suffered a severe knee injury late in his season, but he says it was not too serious.

“It was a sprain, it’s alright and getting better. I will be fine for Miami.”

Smith is excited about the prospects of this recruiting class.

“The talent in this class is tremendous. The pass rush is going to be crazy. A lot of guys can do different things so I hope they can find a good fit for us to get to the quarterback.”

Miami’s rival won the title on Monday night and that caught Smith’s attention.

“It really motivates me watching Florida State win a national title as an ACC opponent because I know we are right there.”

Last week’s speculation surrounding Al Golden was something that Smith was paying attention to as well.

“I didn’t know if he was going to leave or stay because ESPN made it seem like he was going to leave so I wasn’t sure. It’s a good thing for the program that he is back.”

The Miami Northwestern product’s message to Miami fans as he prepares to enroll in a few months?

“Just watch.”

[Go Canes]

Getting those two DTs late was huge Ohio.

The thought of going into next year with what we have left and a bunch of freshman was pretty frightening.

Don't know if you saw but Larry Bluestien, who's opinion I really respect, said Smith could end up being the best player from this entire class.

Interesting cause he is usually not one to over sell things like that.

[dj moonbat]

Golden can not be that dumb.

If he left to PSU, after saying he was committed to Miami.

Rest assured he and his family would never be allowed to visit South Florida again...

Posted by: CaneSawMassacre | January 08, 2014 at 08:57 AM

Yes, no coach would ever lie about something like that.

Look: Golden wanted to get hired quick, so he could tell UM he was getting out of Dodge. PSU actually wanted to interview a full slate of candidates, especially since Al was going to be expensive to buy out. So no deal.

He came out of the room with no deal, and he couldn't tell trustees, AD, president, players, recruits and fans that there was no deal YET. Far better to say there is no deal, I am not a candidate, and if PSU comes back after interviewing a full slate of candidates, tell Miami he's getting out of Dodge.

[Ohio_Cane]

These fake a$$ "journalists" crack me up. Just this morning I've seen:

"James Franklin deal done at PSU"

"James Franklin turned down PSU"

"Al Golden still candidate for PSU"

"Rich Bissachia is new PSU coach"

These are all radio and news guys saying this too!

[UpNorthCane27]

I see Mike Smith being a straight bull rushing beast on the edge. Not Tall or long but just straight beastmode... Mathis, Freeney, Dummervil, Shaun Phillips, Rob ninkovich, all these players aren't big at all but they damn sure know how to get to the QB

[Ohio_Cane]

These fake a$$ "journalists" crack me up. Just this morning I've seen:

"James Franklin deal done at PSU"

"James Franklin turned down PSU"

"Al Golden still candidate for PSU"

"Rich Bissachia is new PSU coach"

These are all radio and news guys saying this too!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 08, 2014 at 10:43 AM
--------------------------------------

Oh, and now this one from a guy at 640 Sports:

Marc Eisenberg ‏@MEisenberg640 18m

A little birdie told me that Al Golden MAY be leaving #Canes Friday for #PennState . I can not confirm nor deny that phone call.

[CaneSawMassacre]

dj -

Big difference between being mum about what might happen, then making a statement after the fact. Then reneging completely on that statement.

I just don't see it happening. He has kids on the campus today, getting there information on schedules, classes, weight training.

Like I said, I've seen crazier. But if he leaves after this.. Not only would he bomb our best recruiting class in years, but he better not take a vacation in South Fla for at least 5...

[CaneRock]

I agree with Blue. Although He's a lil' bit taller, Smith reminds me of Elmis Dumervil. He's not a naturally thick kid, but His low center of gravity, to go along with His explosive first 2 steps, are redeeming qualities. Don't know if He'll be the best, but He does bring value.

Chad Thomas?...He has an explosive first 2 steps also, but He's gonna have to get bigger & stronger. He'll play though.

[hazydavy]

"the process" is code for lowering expectations" & if by some miracle we get 10 + wins Golden comes out looking like a hero. otherwise its his out for the crappy results.
I want a timetable for "the process".
although in the next year or two. if we dont see results our golden boy should start "processing" his pink slip.

[dj moonbat]

Big difference between being mum about what might happen, then making a statement after the fact. Then reneging completely on that statement.

Posted by: CaneSawMassacre | January 08, 2014 at 10:51 AM

When Al said he would interview at PSU because it would be like 'going home,' it sounded to me like he wanted the job. I think it's more likely that PSU said 'maybe' at the interview than it is that either side said 'no.'

So think about it from Al's point of view: if Al had to live under the shadow of 'maybe' for a week, unsure whether he gets to 'go home.'

If he tells the UM community that he has to wait to find out whether he gets to 'go home,' he's vilified for the week that it's pending, and then basically forever, whether he goes or stays.

If he DOESN'T tell the UM community that he has to wait to find out whether he gets to go home, he ISN"T vilified for the week that it's pending -- then, if he GETS the job, he's gone; if he doesn't, nobody's the wiser.

Given the incentives above, I think it would be very, very hard for Al to resist lying about the state of negotiations if there was still any chance he ends up working for PSU.

[SOUP]

Global Warming has not flooded half of Florida YET.

Being in St Pete that makes me feel happy!

[Go Canes]

"the process" is code for lowering expectations" & if by some miracle we get 10 + wins Golden comes out looking like a hero
Posted by: hazydavy | January 08, 2014 at 10:55 AM

So if we get 10 wins shouldn't Golden come out looking like a hero???

Let me guess, that's accepting lower expectations.

[NativeCane]

It's called the biggest fair weather fan base in America."Folks wanted to run Jimmy Johnson out of town early on, writing him off as a mid-level Big Eight coach who couldn't beat the likes of Nebraska and Oklahoma. When Dennis Erickson arrived, he was chastised for running a one-back offense, as Miami had proven success with two backs.Still, nothing tops the turbulent ride Butch Davis took over six seasons at the helm of the Hurricanes."35-29 BEFORE the Golden one got here. And we were suppose to be 13-1 this year. smdhPosted by: 360Cane | January 08, 2014 at 09:19 AM

Fans ponied up money to fly a banner over the stadium which read, "From National Champs to National Chumps...Thanks, Butch!" They blamed the third-year coach working to fix the mess left by his predecessors, who turned a blind eye to improper conduct. (Sound familiar?)"Posted by: 30CINCO | January 08, 2014 at 10:10 AM

History repeats itself!

Butch finally got sick of that crap and left, Golden is prolly starting to feel the hate and I wouldnt blame him if he did leave.
Maybe some of you will get your wish but I prefer having a CEO for a head coach over a position coach or the equivalent to the San Antonio Roadrunners head coach.

Be careful what you wish for, your pipe dream may not come true!

Go Canes!!!

[dj moonbat]

So if we get 10 wins shouldn't Golden come out looking like a hero???

Posted by: Go Canes | January 08, 2014 at 11:11 AM

If we get 10 wins, Al Golden is a UM football coach who's doing his job.

[Go Canes]

Now that is funny.

[Lurker]

Sorry, if Golden's leaving, nobody's running him off. He's doing it 100% of his own accord as did JJ, and Butch, etc.

Fan sentiment has no bearing on his decisions. Zero.

[SOUP]

If we get 10 wins, Al Golden is a UM football coach who's doing his job.

Posted by: dj moonbat | January 08, 2014 at 11:22 AM

There IT is right there.

[Go Canes]

Number of 10 wins seasons in the last TWENTY years at Miami?

Five.

Backout the four year run we had from 2000-2003?

One.

And it was 19 years ago.

Just doing the job!

[SOUP]

Go Canes...I am going to repeat what dj Moonbat said a few days ago: "If I am ever in trouble with my wife or come home drunk I want you to defend me."

Your persistence and determination is nothing short of amazing.

U derserve MUCH credit!

[thirstybuzzardcane]

If Golden does bolt there is only 1 guy that could save this recruiting class!!!

Butch Davis!!!

[dj moonbat]

Just doing the job!

Posted by: Go Canes | January 08, 2014 at 11:30 AM

I think I count 14 10+ win seasons between 1983 and 2003. So, yes, to get our heads to the place where a 10-win season is 'heroic,' we would have to lower our expectations.

[30CINCO]

Sorry, if Golden's leaving, nobody's running him off. He's doing it 100% of his own accord as did JJ, and Butch, etc.

Fan sentiment has no bearing on his decisions. Zero.
-----------------------------------------------
If Golden leaves to Penn St, I agree, it would be his own choice.

I also agree "fan" sentiment has no bearing on his decision. But, according to UCompliance, season ticket holders are considered boosters. And if boosters stop donating, stop attending, fly planes over the stadium, that does have bearing on how confident one can be in regards to job security.

[Go Canes]

I consider myself to have reasonable expectations.

Jimbo should have been in he title game, he has accumulated the talent and has been with the program six years now.

When Golden gives me another class like the one coming in, gets them matured physically and experience wise, then I will expect the world.

Randy got his shot and imploded his team in year four.

Butch got his and made something incredible out of it.

I want to see this staff operate on a level playing field then see what happens.

Win and it's great for all of us, especially the players. Have what happened to Randy repeat itself and it's time for yet another change.

[Sinistercane]

Go Canes

Are you going to follow Alpa to Pedo valley?

[J'Ville Cane]

Report: Penn State sets interview with 49ers OC Greg Roman
Posted by John Taylor on January 8, 2014, 11:41 AM EST

Dang it

[CaneRock]

This Joizee Boy is leaving. Not once did He say I'm happy here..."That um um um...yah know, I'm here...I PLAN on being the coach of the Univesity Of Miami."

[Go Canes]

Sinister can you comprehend any thought expressed other than fire everyone?

Have you ever seen me saying I love Golden or D'Onofrio?

Have you ever seen me say anything other than these guys deserve a chance to finish what they've started?

The same chance I think every coach has deserved here?

Did you want to fire Randy after he went 9-4 and lost his bowl game in year three?

I sure didn't.

What's the difference man?

[Sinistercane]

Go canes

Yes I wanted Shannon fired and I believe your more a Golden fan first and CANEZ fan second. I can't remember when but you stated no one can convince you that ALpa is not doing a good job. That's a pretty hard line stance in defense for anybody

FIRE NOFENSE

[laquinton]

So now miamars coach is at wvu. Wow..

[Go Canes]

If you wanted Randy out after year three I hate to think what you wanted to do with Butch after the same amount of time.

I can't argue with your kind of thinking.

Good luck with that.

[CaneSawMassacre]

Sinister

GoCanes isn't an Al Golden fan over a UM fan.

Just like people saying that OGV isn't a true UM fan because he is constantly negative are wrong as well.

Some, me included believe if Al stays, brings in this stellar class and makes some changes/improvements, then we can see the benefits.
Nobody indicated we were completely satisfied with the job done. I have stated to SOUP on quite a few occasions some of the schematic and tactical decisions confound me.

I'm not choosing to throw away everything and at the current state believe the positives out weigh the negatives.

I could be severely misguided, but I will always be a UM fan first.

If Al did leave. I could care less about his career or what happens (despite me thinking he is a decent guy). I wouldn't cheer for him to win at happy valley or any other program once/ or if he dashed out of here. Unless he won a championship first.

[Ohio_Cane]

Brad Kaaya is LA Daily News Player of the Year

http://m.dailynews.com/ladn/db_32214...tguid=3H1FtlGc

Dats our QB!

[j.w.]

Let's get them too!! MOAR DT'S!!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 08, 2014 at 09:51 AM

Question: What does MOAR mean and how is it different than more? I see this all the time and have never been able to figure it out.

[Ohio_Cane]

Let's get them too!! MOAR DT'S!!

Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 08, 2014 at 09:51 AM

Question: What does MOAR mean and how is it different than more? I see this all the time and have never been able to figure it out.

Posted by: j.w. | January 08, 2014 at 12:34 PM
--------------------------------------

They are one in the same. It's just internet slang. A joke, really.

[30CINCO]

Number of 10 wins seasons in the last TWENTY years at Miami?

Five.

Backout the four year run we had from 2000-2003?

One.

And it was 19 years ago.

Just doing the job!
Posted by: Go Canes | January 08, 2014 at 11:30 AM

I think I count 14 10+ win seasons between 1983 and 2003. So, yes, to get our heads to the place where a 10-win season is 'heroic,' we would have to lower our expectations.

Posted by: dj moonbat | January 08, 2014 at 11:37 AM
---------------------------------------------
Number of 10+ wins last 20 years would be from 1993-2013: 5 ten win season is correct

Number of 10+ wins from 1983 and 2003: 14 ten win season is also correct

[Ohio_Cane]

Johnny Football declared for the NFL

[CaneRock]

ESPN saying Petrino offered PSU job.

[Ohio_Cane]

SportsCenter ‏@SportsCenter 2m

BREAKING: Bobby Petrino has been offered the Louisville job and is expected to accept. Petrino coached there from 2003-06. (via @schadjoe)

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHHA!!!!

[Ohio_Cane]

CR, it's UL, not PSU

[CaneRock]

^^^^^^^^^^
Correct.

[j.w.]

Thanks, Ohio. One of many internet slang words that I could never figure out.

[CaneRock]

TTM: Along those lines, with Larry Johnson (as well as Ron Vanderlinden) very popular among the Penn State community – and a likely need for a bright and innovative offensive coordinator and strong quarterbacks coach presence to appease Christian Hackenberg and continue the offense’s progression in the O’Brien mold exists (conventional wisdom says, anyway). Do you believe Golden is the type who is open to bringing in those outside his inner circle onto his staff?

JD: I do, and I think he’s going to have to come to the realization (if he hasn’t already) that Mark can’t be his defensive coordinator at Penn State. Mark’s bend-but-don’t break style hasn’t worked at Miami, and it used to leave fans scratching their heads at Temple when Mark would have a double-digit sack rush end like Adrian Robinson drop into coverage instead.

Al hasn’t been opposed to surrounding himself with older and more experienced people in the past. When he got to Temple, he hired George DeLeone as his offensive coordinator and tapped into what George did during his days in coaching guys like Donovan McNabb and Marvin Harrison at Syracuse. Even though things didn’t work out recently for George at UConn, he had a good run during his Syracuse days and he was a good hire at the time for Al at Temple.

Read more: http://blog.triblive.com/penn-state-sports/2014/01/05/getting-to-know-al-golden-from-a-reporter-whos-known-him-best/#ixzz2ppdg947E
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