Rumors, Lies And Speculation

All of the Internets that Al Gore invented were ablaze on Friday night with rumors, lies and speculation about whether or not Miami head coach Al Golden will or had become the next head coach at his alma mater Penn State.

The high traffic crashed web sites, Twitter was over-run with tweets and blogs were full of comments about who was going where, when and why they were going there and many Hurricane fans just asked questions about what specifically was going to happen in Coral Gables and Happy Valley.

The crazed need for attention or to be the first to know, no make that guess or predict if Golden was leaving Miami and head to Penn State, drove many Hurricane fans over the edge. Some were hurt, some angry, some confused and some were even relieved or happy about all the rumors, lies and speculation surrounding the situation.

From the way I read the comments on Canespace yesterday and well into late last night, and from my sense of fans' sentiments over the last six to eight weeks, the Hurricane Family is somewhat divided over Golden's staying or leaving. With my finger on the pulse of the fans to me it breaks down like this:

• 50% do not want to see Golden leave under any circumstances.
• 25% are ambivalent about the fact that he could be gone by Monday.
• 25% want him gone and want him gone yesterday.

Personally, I fall into the 50% category of fans above that do not want to see Golden go to Penn State. I want to see him get a chance to finish what he has started at Miami, close out another strong recruiting class in 2014 and show us that he can and will win big by his fifth year as head coach at UM in 2015. I think Al Golden is a good man and a good coach who with time can prove to Miami fans that he is the right man for the job. At the same time I do believe that he does deserve some criticism and needs to fix a few things regarding the team's performance on the field to accomplish that goal.

The 25% of fans who are ambivalent about Golden's decision, in other words they don't really have strong feelings either way if he stays or goes, basically feel that although some progress has been made since Golden took over at Miami are not really yet convinced that he can get the job done and win a BCS title at UM in five years. These fans believe that Golden deserves more time to prove to them that he is the man to get it done with his process, players and scheme. However, they would not be crushed or heartbroken if he did leave and UM was able to bring in another high calibre coach to replace him and maybe even accelerate "The Process" further and quicker.

The 25% of fans who actually want Golden gone are simply done with the team's poor performance, especially on defense and especially in key games against good teams. Clearly, these fans had already gone over to "The Dark Side" well before the PSU rumors started swirling yesterday. They had already decided that "The Process" was flawed and that the core values were off target. These Hurricane fans stated that they wanted major change either among the assistants on the coaching staff or at the top due to the lack of significant progress over the three years that Golden has been head coach at The U.

From my point of view whatever happens, happens. I am not going to try to get caught up in the rumor, lies and speculation or try to predict what will happen. I am certainly NOT going to get my knickers all in a wad over Golden's decision to stay in Coral Gables or leave for Happy Valley.

The University of Miami won five National Championships (easily could have been 8) in football under four different head coaches over three decades.  The U is much, much bigger than any head football coach, much less one who has never won a conference title or a National Championship like Al Golden.

I hope Golden does stay and does both. And if not, who got next?

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Penn State Head Coach Search: Latest Rumors and Buzz After Bill O'Brien's Exit

Bowl game loss shows Al Golden still in early stages reviving University of Miami football

Future of Miami Hurricanes’ Al Golden is hot topic

Comments

[BEERicane]

1

[CGNC]

2! From the previous blog

https://a4-images.myspacecdn.com/images03/1/b7fa9142ec724b64bf1194dc8f696f34/300x300.jpg

LOL! hang in there canes fans. Nothing we can do about any of it

[CaneRock]

ROHAN!

[CaneRock]

^^^^^^^^^^^ Coley?

[VfB_Cane]

Cinco!

[CaneRock]

CGNC, how many horses do you own?

[laquinton]

Cgnc, cut cut that out. I don't want gruden in coral gables. There's a true reason why some coaches done get another gig. Gruden is John madden

[CaneRock]

LQ, I agree. Now Gruden knows His ish now, but that dude kilt more QBs in TB, than WARREN SAPP!

[SOUP]

Seeing that I didn't make the initial CaneSpace / UM coaching staff, I'd like to apply as European talent scout to make sure that talented German guys like Bjoern Werner don't end up as Seminoles (yuck).

Posted by: VfB_Cane | January 04, 2014 at 09:49 AM

DEAL. WE NEED THE FOLLOWING:

1. Some big, tough, strong DL from Germany.
2. A kicker from Spain.
3. A MLB from Scotland.
3. A few hot cheerleaders from France.

GET ON IT!

[CGNC]

laquinton - LOL! That was made last go round, I just saved it. Trying to make you guys laugh LOL!!!

I wouldn't mind Gru

[CGNC]

Canerock, I only have 1 and he will be 27 in a couple of weeks.

[SOUP]

Which category are U in for Golden: 50% stay, 25% don't care or 25% gone?

[Terrance Sullivan]

Damn good article Soup. I fall in the 50% category, but the ending of your article I completely agree with to the tee. Go Canes!

[CGNC]

I am ambivalent - honestly I thought there were more than 25% though

[CGNC]

Posted by: SOUP | January 04, 2014 at 11:24 AM

So our middle linebacker would wear a kilt?

[hazydavy]

with all of the clouds over our heads and top recruiting classes. the fault is on the coaching as much as the under performing talent we have. tge process is flawed.
nobody has even mentioned that we are going into another season with a rookie QB. we are in for another long season.

[VfB_Cane]

3. A MLB from Scotland.
Posted by: SOUP | January 04, 2014 at 11:24 AM

LOL - at the moment, the only things Scotch in my household come in bottles (good ones, though, if you prefer rounded over smoky).

[SOUP]

So our middle linebacker would wear a kilt?

Posted by: CGNC | January 04, 2014 at 11:32 AM

Yes, and thy name shall be Colin McCarthy.

[NY Trooper]

I am with the 50% and hope he stays and finishes what he started. I hope he is simply using this for more $ and says thanks but no thanks.

Hazydavy - I do not think we are in for a long season next year. The sky won't fall if the president and AD act appropriately.

[Surfercane]

Top 20 succas!

[VfB_Cane]

What got Coker & Shannon fired? Off the field problems (see: FIU brawl, poor discipline) and a ceiling of 9 wins.
As soon as we know that Golden can't get over the hump coaching players he recruited himself, I'll join the 25% that want him gone.

At this point, I'd rather not see this great recruiting class fall apart.

[Surfercane]

I'm in the 25% of either way I'm good!

[CaneRock]

I fall in the 100% that want D'Onofrio gone.

[RARA]

I guess I fit more the 25% who is ambivalent, but I can honestly say I hope he stays because I think he has what it takes to get the U back to prominence. He was done alot for the program the last 3 years. He has recruited well as we actually do have good (not great) talent (on defense poorly and underused talent). He has gotten our players bigger, faster, stronger, and better conditioned. He repaired relationships with high school coaches. He created a template for running high school camps. The program is much better now than it was 3 years ago.

While I personally don't believe he is taking the Penn St job, if he does I will be disappointed but also grateful for what he has done at the U. And because he has got the program in a good state overall, if he leaves the next coach will have a lot of good ingredients in the cupboard. If we get a good coach (and I think we will) Golden leaving will only set the program back one year. With improved QB play and a better defensive scheme and philosophy we could play for the Coastal and the ACC championship. Talent wise we are not that far off as some would like to paint.

If Golden was to leave (Not what I want) this would be the best time for the transition to take place as we are still going in an upward trajectory. The next coach can ride the momentum (and there is momentum).

[j.w.]

I'm in the ambivalent crowd as well.

[RARA]

With that said if he does stay, which I think he will, he has some work to do. First, needs to at the very least play his defense more aggressively even if the keep the 3-4 scheme. Louisville showed how an aggressive 3-4 scheme can be played (BTW they don't necessarily have the players to run it great, but it fits more their personnel). Second, needs to repair relationships with their upperclassmen defensive players that they have thrown under the bus. I think better QB play is the primary thing that will improve things in offense. I think they will get better QB play next year. Won't be great, but will be above average to good. That right there will improve the offense.

[CGNC]

Hazydavy - I do not think we are in for a long season next year. The sky won't fall if the president and AD act appropriately.

Posted by: NY Trooper | January 04, 2014 at 11:42 AM

Truly the elephant in the room

[Clwtrdan]

I'm in the 50%. Everyone knows we lost a lot of recruits the past 3 to 4 years because of the looming cloud of NCAA sanctions on our program. This definitely set Coach back from the 5 year plan. This will be the first class that could be recruited on a clean slate. It will take 3 years to rebuild the talent to a championship caliber level. Every team in the country has been taking shots at us for a long while. That is over now. Frankly, our players need continuity more than anything. Changing coaches every 3 years is not good for the program. Players want to know who their coach will be for their scholarship term and ambiguity on that front will only deter good players from coming here.

[CGNC]

Soup you have mail

[LA3]

50% Crowd..... with sidecar!

I fall in the 100% that want D'Onofrio gone.
Posted by: CaneRock

Stay with coaching staff and scheme changes!

[RCCF]

ESPN just announced that Golden IS meeting with PennSt Today!!

RCCF12%

[canezilla]

3. A few hot cheerleaders from France.

GET ON IT!

Posted by: SOUP | January 04, 2014 at 11:24 AM
DO GIRLS FROM FRANCE SHAVE THEIR ARMPITS???

[RARA]

Clwtrdan...in spite of the NCAA cloud Golden recruited very well. We have good talent. Not NC talent, but winning the Coastal and playing for (not winning) the ACC championship. That was there last year. We underachieved. QB play and injuries primarily limited us on offense. Coaching (defensive scheme and philosophy) primarily limited us on defense. Next year we will have many of the same players returning and again have win the Coastal and compete for an ACC championship talent. Coaching on defense and improved QB play on offense will primarily determine whether we reach our potential or under achieve. Talent will not be the reason for not playing for an ACC title.

[canezilla]

DON'T WANT AL TO GO DON'T REALLY FEEL LIKE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN!!! WOULD LIKE TO SEE NO'D GONE AND SOMEHOW HAVE BUTCH ON THE STAFF. WHAT'S SCARY NOW IS STRONG GOT ALOT OF TALET TO GO TO LOUISVILLE IMAGINE WHAT HE COULD BRING TO TEXAS!! THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS GOING TO BE A RECRUITING WAR WITH MIAMI,FSU,UF,TEXAS

[VfB_Cane]

DO GIRLS FROM FRANCE SHAVE THEIR ARMPITS???
Posted by: canezilla | January 04, 2014 at 12:30 PM

Yes, but those from rural areas tend to keep their moustaches LOL

[BigWindyCane1]

I have watched a lot of high school football in Florida, and (its hard to believe but) I think HS football talent in Florida is actually getting better and deeper than it has ever been. The problem really is that the old U is gone forever, and the new U needs to be cultivated. It starts by what the kids see on the field and many of them don't remember Reggie Wayne or Santana Moss, and were 4 or 5 years old when the Canes won their last championship. Golden knows that, and that is why he is getting recruits. The new coach will need to do the same thing, and he Will be successful.

[VfB_Cane]

Did a little "By the numbers" analysis to see which coaches are instrumental in keeping this recruiting class together should Golden leave.
Here's the result (based on 247sports), by number of players they are recruiting (primary (P) or secondary contact (S)):

Barrow 13 (7 P, 6 S)
Coley 10 (6 P, 4 S)
Franklin 9 (3 P, 6 S)
Carroll 5 (1 P, 4 S)
D'Onofrio 4 (4 P, 0 S)
Kehoe 4 (3 P, 1 S)
Brown 3 (2 P, 1 S)
Scott 3 (1 P, 2 S)
Williams 3 (2 P, 1 S)

Basically: We can't afford to let Barrow, Coley, Franklin and Carroll go.

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

No one can honostly debate that if Golden goes the recruiting class will be in limbo, but hiring the right coach immediately could save a lot of talent. The U should already know who the next guy is. If they don't, then they weren't following their own Head Coaches 5 Ps. I'll say it again, Butch Davis gives The U family everything it wants and he is looking for a job. Some people will have to swallow their pride. Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.

[LA3]

50% Crowd with sidecar....
100% want DNO gone with CaneRock.
Stay with changes to staff and scheme.

[nemo2002]

STARS MATTER

Our recruiting classes over the last few years weren't so highly rated, when you subtract the inelligibles and the transfers.

In recent years FSU has consistently been signing more top rated recruits.

Unless and until we can beat FSU (with some consistency) on NSD, we will continue to get beat (with some regularity) by FSU on game day; and BIG BOWL games will become a more-and-more distant memory for the (long suffering) UM fan base.

REALITY CHECK

Al Golden is POTENTIALLY a very good recruiter (although it is still too early to say for sure). Now that the NCAA cloud has been removed, hopefully, if he stays, we can be more even competitive with FSU & UF and those freakin', out-of-state, South-Florida-poaching schools like the UM wannabe, L'ville, and the usual SEC suspects . . . on NSD.

BOTTOM LINE

I don't buy the hype. I don't trust the lie(s). And "UTough" is a joke! Nevertheless, I hope Al Golden stays. The UM football program (desperately) needs stability! Given a few more years, he may in fact turn the program around. I don't want to push him out. And I hope he isn't pulled away.

Nonetheless, several years ago I predicted (on this blog) that Al Golden wouldn't remain for long as UM's head coach. (And, if I remember correctly, a number of the diehard loyalists on this site blasted me - which is understandable, I guess). The simple truth is that UM is a solid "stepping stone" but not a destination-type "trophy job" for an ambitious - and highly talented - football coach. So, if Al Golden leaves Miami (in the ACC) for PSU (in the Big Ten), or if he takes any other head coaching job with a guarantee of sold out stadiums and a "million dollar plus" increase in annual salary, WHO CAN BLAME HIM?

Not me.

[dj moonbat]

I guess I can live with Al staying, for the sake of recruiting, unless the U pays him more money to keep him. That would be total BS.

[SOUP]

While I personally don't believe he is taking the Penn St job, if he does I will be disappointed but also grateful for what he has done at the U. And because he has got the program in a good state overall, if he leaves the next coach will have a lot of good ingredients in the cupboard.

Posted by: RARA | January 04, 2014 at 12:01 PM

There IT is right there.

[LA3]

Football year has not been so great....
But watching Nicky Satan get pants pulled down and spanked by BIG GAME BOB followed up with Urban Cryer getting 2 L in a row makes me FEEL MUCH BETTER!

GO CANES!

[SOUP]

So, if Al Golden leaves Miami (in the ACC) for PSU (in the Big Ten), or if he takes any other head coaching job with a guarantee of sold out stadiums and a "million dollar plus" increase in annual salary, WHO CAN BLAME HIM?

Not me.

Posted by: nemo2002 | January 04, 2014 at 12:49 PM

There IT is once again.

[SOUP]

LA3...I agree, watching the Suckeyes and Roll Tide BOTH lose their bowl games did make me smile. Now, about that FSU game...

[Canesteeler]

I am in the 50% however I am 100% tired of the drama and 10 years of losing. Step up AG or get to stepping with your best friend.

[OFNC]

RARA- You want to see defensive talent? Watch Clemson from last night. Headhunters! Fierce when they smelled blood! VAcane would have been proud. Meanwhile, we had how many on defense that even drew ACC honorable mention?? P52!! Does "scheme" account for our open-field tackling? Or the fact that our db's were 5 yards away at the catch? Or that no one could set the edge on the wide stuff? Let's see where the D class of 14 is in two years.

[RCCF]

I want him gone ONLY because it is gonna be hard to Trust him as a fan and Im sure even harder to trust him as a Player…

RCCF12%

[NativeCane]

http://www.pennlive.com/pennstatefootball/index.ssf/2014/01/miamis_al_golden_a_safe_not_sc.html

Safe but not scintillating!

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

OFNC,

Yes, scheme on the db's 5 yards away at the catch. Coaching on no one setting edge and open field tackling.