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?

Related articles

Penn State begins national coaching search

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

[Canesteeler]

VaCane hung tough bro I am sorry for your loss.

[Account Deleted]

we'll know if munchak takes the job. I wondered when he became available if it would alter events with AG.

[Sinistercane]

Damm you Tennessee Titans damm you

[raizecane]

Here is latest on Ferman…….skip to 1:30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De-A4SWJDUY

[Go Canes]

Forgot to mention it earlier, sorry for your loss VaCane.

Sounds like you two had a great relationship.

[orange 'n green in the vein]

So 'Deserve Victory' (Blue and white cover edition) didn't land him a job at his own school?

Alverage Slogan football, have you renewed your season tickets yet, now with 15% more cost?

[raizecane]

I wonder what recruits are saying…….

[Sinistercane]

2015 just got bump up to 2014, blood meet shark

[Account Deleted]

2015 just got bump up to 2014, blood meet shark

Posted by: Sinistercane | January 05, 2014 at 04:57 PM

agree....the leash got a lot shorter....

one year to get it done.

Wonder if this makes them make a move with No'D sooner than they considered...

[4-Real]

Raize, the recruits are probably saying the same thing we are....DAMN!!!

[KYcane]

VA Cane,

My condolences and prayers to your family.

[4-Real]

Go Cane, if the same things are being said day after day then there has 2 be some truth to it no?

[VfB_Cane]

I thought that I wanted Al Golden to stay. Now that the news is out, I feel a let down. Guess I wasn't buying into "the process" that much anymore.

Now, can we please have something that resembles a defense?

[usagainsttheworld]

Now, can we please have something that resembles a defense?

Posted by: VfB_Cane | January 05, 2014 at 05:10 PM

pretty puuuuuuuleeeeeeeeze!

[4-Real]

It gets worse VfB! Golden allegedly got pissed & withdrew his interest after psu decided 2 interview Munchak & Franklin, making Golden PLAN C MINUS! LOL

[herbieibis]

Dam, we got beat again. Now we're 9-5. Losing Al, with his bro DENO WOULD OF BEEN SWEET VICTORY. Now that his dream of coaching Penn St. is gone until the next clown gets canned up there and we have to deal with this crap again.
Since you once again are committed to the "U" get your azz back down here & get Valentine verballed again because there is no one left, as good as he is, to take that spot.

[laquinton]

I bet he had the job but once he said and as a plus I'm bringing mark with me they said hell no and left

[Terrance Sullivan]

LOL at anyone listening or reading Gary Ferman material! Come On Man! Remember the Jon Gruden was gonna be our coach in December 2010. There is a old saying fool me once shame on U fool me twice shame on me. I dont like to be shamed but apparently some peeps dont mind being shamed and embarrassed. Keep Calm and Cane On!

[VfB_Cane]

My hope is that Golden's stunt over this weekend increases the pressure on him to perform.

9-4, 10-4, 10-4, 9-4, 10-4, 9-4 - that's Nebraska's record under Pelini the past 6 years. Golden has to understand that four loss seasons get you fired in Miami by year 5, especially if the losses are by 30 points.

[usagainsttheworld]

Canes nation sit back and observe the cluster fukk of how college coaches operate! We are fools to criticize the decisions 17-18 year old kids make when the men who are the so-called leaders of these kids are nothing but ego filled money whores. Those of you who want to play football at the U, come on. Every recruit and their parents should be selfish as hell in making their choices because the men they will go and play for are only loyal to their bank accounts. It is a business for the players just as much as the coaches.

Posted by: Canesteeler | January 05, 2014 at 01:44 PM

THERE IT IS RIGHT THERE PLAYA! THE POST OF THE YEAR!

[laquinton]

 Now we're 9-5. Losing Al, with his bro DENO WOULD OF BEEN SWEET VICTORY

Haha stop please

[usagainsttheworld]

cs is reporting that the Ville is interested in Butch...

Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 02:07 PM

Trying to focus on our team but. . .concerning to me. . . Anybody else?

[orange 'n green in the vein]

"It gets worse VfB! Golden allegedly got pissed & withdrew his interest after psu decided 2 interview Munchak & Franklin, making Golden PLAN C MINUS! LOL

Posted by: 4-Real | January 05, 2014 at 05:17 PM"

LMAO at the 100% 4-Real content in this post! I knew there's several great reasons why your my favorite 'guilty pleasure' blogger on here.

With all the money I'm going to save not buying tickets/hotels/supplies for football games next year, I'm going to sign up for a recruiting star service site so I can learn why Lane Kiffen is so awesome as a coach despite all evidence to the contrary that keeps getting posted to scoreboards on the West Coast so we can have something in common.

[4-Real]

Until we get a better team / coaching results ask yourself Ogv.....$8 a month or $800 dollars a year? Lol. But hangin out with the Space cadets at an actual game would be considered PRICELESS 2 me.

[RCCF]

Where did Alfred release this quote that he is blah blah blah blah returning to the U blah blah blah blah? I saw that it said he released it to Miami, but Miami who? the school? the paper? the website? canesport Still saying he is paving his way out (praying the same) Sorry Im Happy for what he has done, but for what he has caused the damage is almost irreparable and the firing of No'D is like wishing for Ray Lewis to oversee football operations… Not Gonna Happen.. No More Swiss Cheese Gracias..

RCCF12%

[VfB_Cane]

Journalism 101:
"Al Golden not interested in Penn State job, will remain at Miami" - SI Headline

Where in Golden's statement do you find that he is/was "not interested"?

Same as it has been with me and plenty of hot girls - I never was a candidate to date them, but I sure as hell was interested.

[VfB_Cane]

Where did Alfred release this quote that he is blah blah blah blah returning to the U blah blah blah blah?

RCCF - it's on hurricanesports, basically an official release through the athletic department.

[Pbcfrcane13]

Lmao @vfb I hear that

[trianglecane]

Dont care how loyal al is. Just win.

[Pbcfrcane13]

http://miamiherald.typepad.com/umiami/2014/01/canes-top-recruit-chad-thomas-happy-golden-is-staying.html.

That's good news at least

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

Well then its setteled SOUP, fran & Sarasota Cane, report to HR Monday morning for your welcome packages and orientations. Congrats and welcome aboard.

Judging by the lastest information I can't consider the resume of the Fresno State coach SOUP because I'm stuck with boxes full of "Deserve Victory" banners and slogans and a DC who's only qualifications are that he's the HC's BFF.

VA Cane, my condolences.

[SOUP]

2015 just got bump up to 2014, blood meet shark

Posted by: Sinistercane | January 05, 2014 at 04:57 PM

YUP

[Dude on a Pale Horse]

We should just fire Al Golden now, do we have cause?

[Pbcfrcane13]

The spin control tomorrow should be fun. I hope somebody has the you know what to ask the real questions and see golden wiggle and stumble over his words trying to spin this

[VfB_Cane]

We should just fire Al Golden now, do we have cause?
Posted by: The Dude | January 05, 2014 at 06:03 PM

I guess a 5-loss season with at least 2 blowout losses and a FIU-style brawl on top would do. Until then, not much happning on that front.

[CoCane]

My dreams have become nightmares. :-(

[Go Canes]

4-Real, these guys are saying this. Does it make it more true than what you're saying?

Brandon Powell#⃣4⃣ ‏@_Powellbp4 24m
Thank you! Coach Golden staying 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌

Manny Navarro ‏@Manny_Navarro 23m
#Canes top recruit Chad Thomas happy Golden is staying

#⃣2⃣ ‏@Hester_2k 1h
100% committed to the U stop asking me lol

Christy C. Chirinos ‏@ChristyChirinos 1h
#Canes commit Nick Linder on Golden's decision to stay: "He’s just a winner, a great coach when it comes to the dynamics of football…"

[VfB_Cane]

Hope Chad Thoams is still happy once he finds out our scheme forces him to cover wideouts.

[mi@mic@ne]

If al stays im supportive...but im not excited...now about the golf game...lol

[BEERicane]

Hope Chad Thoams is still happy once he finds out our scheme forces him to cover wideouts.

Posted by: VfB_Cane | January 05, 2014 at 06:17 PM

It does? I haven't seen anything covered by this D other than the spread for the opposition and the Over position on the over/under.

[VfB_Cane]

Enough of negativity from me for today, before the CEO intervenes with quotes about worrying and rocking chairs LOL

[SOUP]

So now, who was right?

[RCCF]

VfB U stop it…LmmfaO U stop it Right Now!!
PLEASE FIX THE SCHEME..

RCCF12% swiss cheese is not a scheme… its a cheese!!
And if U are going to mirror a NFL Defense mirror one tht works..

[j.w.]

Back where we started. Here we go round again.

[BEERicane]

Now that it looks like Golden is staying (on account of D?No!) if he makes a change at DC, all will be good

[4-Real]

Go Canes, u just named 4 kids outta 400,000 people! Besides, what are they suppose 2 say while STILL committed to Miami?

[SOUP]

So now, who was right?

Posted by: SOUP | January 05, 2014 at 06:22 PM

[TGU_Cane]

Probably PSU would not allow Golden to take his boyfriend with him.

[SOUP]

So now, who was right?

Posted by: SOUP | January 05, 2014 at 06:22 PM

Posted by: SOUP | January 05, 2014 at 06:34 PM

[orange 'n green in the vein]

/\/\/\

Not Gary Ferman?

Again.