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?
fire D-No now lol
Posted by: Sass | January 05, 2014 at 03:51 PM
If you are right miamicane then let's hire our new coach by Wednesday and it is all good. Hopefully it will be Butch.
Posted by: RARA | January 05, 2014 at 03:52 PM
Golden is looking forward to the recruiting process next week... he comes no d
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 03:52 PM
Lol psu most have told him your hired but you can't bring NoD so golden team to his Twitter and said I'm starting with my boy
Posted by: Pbcfrcane13 | January 05, 2014 at 03:53 PM
Golden just tweeted on canesport the University is reporting it.
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 03:53 PM
That really sucks!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 05, 2014 at 03:53 PM
im listening to qam on satellite.
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 03:54 PM
Spin control starts now
Posted by: Pbcfrcane13 | January 05, 2014 at 03:55 PM
Fear the tie!!!LOL
Posted by: Yoopercane | January 05, 2014 at 03:56 PM
rara-agents float names out there all the time to get their clients.and themselves more money
Posted by: CGNC | January 05, 2014 at 03:56 PM
At this point whatever happens happens and I'm good either way.
Posted by: RARA | January 05, 2014 at 03:57 PM
Canes
Posted by: CGNC | January 05, 2014 at 03:59 PM
Penn St wanted someone better, pure & simple. Regardless, LET'S SEE WHAT TRAVONTAE VALENTINE DOES NOW???
Posted by: 4-Real | January 05, 2014 at 03:59 PM
Btw NoD still needs to go!
Posted by: Pbcfrcane13 | January 05, 2014 at 04:00 PM
Move along, keep moving, nothing to see here.
Posted by: Yoopercane | January 05, 2014 at 04:00 PM
I hope they didn't give him more money!
Posted by: Sarasota 'cane | January 05, 2014 at 04:01 PM
I know that cgnc. I also believe Saban through his agent were in contact with TX. Hell, I'm sure Saban had an inperson meeting with TX. Doesn't change anything. Saban let the TX talk go in for a week and did not disavow them until after the boosters ponied up more $$$. Golden's process is playing out in a shorter timeline. I still think he stays but will not be surprised in the least if he bolts. Either way the U will be alright because the program is still in ascending mode.
Posted by: RARA | January 05, 2014 at 04:03 PM
It said in the tweet that his team is on vacation...could they possibly be playing another game? lol
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 04:03 PM
Well too bad for us who wanted butch back... :-(
Miami Hurricanes head football coach Al Golden released a statement Sunday, reaffirming his commitment to the University of Miami:
"There has been much speculation concerning my future at the University of Miami. While I am flattered that our progress at The U during an extremely difficult period of time is recognized, I am also appreciative of just what we have here at UM and I am not a candidate for another position. We are eager to welcome our student athletes back to campus next week and visit with prospective student-athletes and their families beginning January 15."
In his third season at Miami, Golden led the Hurricanes to a 9-4 record and their first bowl game since 2010.
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | January 05, 2014 at 04:04 PM
It said in the tweet that the team is on vacation this week..could there have been another game? lol
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 04:05 PM
Lol...of course they gave him more $$$, probably got some more coin for his coaches too. The the mending of fences begin.
Posted by: RARA | January 05, 2014 at 04:06 PM
I believe travonte was gone regardless. Palm meet grease. The U cant compete with sec $.
Golden is back. So let us see what happens.
Go Canes!
go 9ers!
Posted by: trianglecane | January 05, 2014 at 04:16 PM
DUDE.....YOU'RE FIRED!!!
Posted by: 4-Real | January 05, 2014 at 04:16 PM
The "D" in D'Onofrio stands for doodoo
saw this on eye of the u blog. LOL!
Posted by: AfriCane | January 05, 2014 at 04:16 PM
Sad day because NO'D is staying at the U.
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | January 05, 2014 at 04:17 PM
Keep Calm and Cane On!
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 05, 2014 at 04:18 PM
Having collectively wet our pants for all these other coaches, this is awkward to say the least... Oh well... Here's hoping we hire a new DC... GO CANES!!!
Posted by: RBLCane | January 05, 2014 at 04:18 PM
Just checking.
Posted by: SOUP | January 05, 2014 at 04:21 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRxfZHr3AxY
This is what i was thinking about with Al not being able to let go of No D. lol
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 04:23 PM
Saves the class. Tomorrow somebody should ask Golden How's those coach evaluations coming along. Fire dno and hire schiano.
Posted by: laquinton | January 05, 2014 at 04:25 PM
Really happy Coach Golden is staying.
Whatever issues anyone may have with him or his staff, no one is going to convince me uncertainty and a whole new coaching staff was a better option for this program, short or long term.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 05, 2014 at 04:26 PM
Interesting updates, we'll see what plays out. Have to believe we'll lose a few recruits from this.
Down side is we're probably going with No'D for another season.
And if 2014 isn't any better we'll play this story line next winter once again......
Posted by: Account Deleted | January 05, 2014 at 04:26 PM
Cane Nation near total meltdown! You're supposed 2 be pissed when you're coach announces he's leaving....! Lol
Posted by: 4-Real | January 05, 2014 at 04:26 PM
f_kn hilarious mi@mic@ne
Posted by: KYcane | January 05, 2014 at 04:27 PM
LOL
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 04:29 PM
Go Canes right on schedule
Posted by: 4-Real | January 05, 2014 at 04:31 PM
Posted by: Go Canes | January 05, 2014 at 04:26 PM
Agree 100%. Great news.
Posted by: TLuv | January 05, 2014 at 04:32 PM
Its suppose to snow here tomorrow... looking forward to seeing the ice bowl
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 04:33 PM
We need everyone calling and sending out tweets to Joe Rose for tomorrows interview with Golden. The only question being asked is when is No'D being fired!!
Posted by: UpNorthCane27 | January 05, 2014 at 04:33 PM
Word on the skreet is AG is staying
Posted by: Canesteeler | January 05, 2014 at 04:35 PM
so he is staying?
I don't give a isht. hes nothing to me anymore. done. he handled this wrong.
Posted by: AfriCane | January 05, 2014 at 04:36 PM
I don't give a isht. hes nothing to me anymore. done. he handled this wrong.
Posted by: NigerianCane | January 05, 2014 at 04:36 PM
***************************
Lets wait to see what he has to say before we judge…..
Posted by: raizecane | January 05, 2014 at 04:37 PM
:( So much for getting rid of NOFENSE:( I'm gonna start drinking again so I can taste my own puke which which gives me the same feeling as watching NOFENSE as DC
Posted by: Sinistercane | January 05, 2014 at 04:38 PM
4-Real, better one or two opinions a day repeating the same tired put downs every 19 seconds, day after day.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 05, 2014 at 04:39 PM
than repeating
Posted by: Go Canes | January 05, 2014 at 04:39 PM
From Canesport....
"CaneSport had previously reported that Golden expected the deal finalized today. But when rumors of the Munchak flirtation circulated Sunday morning, sources told CaneSport that Golden informed Penn State that he wanted a contract to sign today. When it didn't happen by 4 p.m. - with pressure growing throughout South Florida - he backed out of the deal."
Posted by: TLuv | January 05, 2014 at 04:40 PM
The fact Gary Ferman is reporting is a 100% guarantee that the total opposite actually occurred.
That guy is so completely clueless it's ridiculous.
Posted by: Go Canes | January 05, 2014 at 04:42 PM
He wasnt their first choice... i was surprised by their expressed interest
Posted by: mi@mic@ne | January 05, 2014 at 04:43 PM
Yea Ferman looks worse here than he did with the Gruden fiasco.
Posted by: TLuv | January 05, 2014 at 04:44 PM
From Canesport....
"CaneSport had previously reported that Golden expected the deal finalized today. But when rumors of the Munchak flirtation circulated Sunday morning, sources told CaneSport that Golden informed Penn State that he wanted a contract to sign today. When it didn't happen by 4 p.m. - with pressure growing throughout South Florida - he backed out of the deal."
Posted by: TLuv | January 05, 2014 at 04:40 PM
Hey SOUP can I officially refer to Al as a Con man now?
Posted by: Sinistercane | January 05, 2014 at 04:46 PM