If you ever saw the movie Karate Kid, then you probably will remember Mr. Miagi emphatically telling Daniel early on during his karate training that:
"U must have balance Danielson!"
People, and by "people" I mean Hurricane fans, wonder why the University of Miami football team has not won more games in the past few season under UM head coach Al Golden. Well, in this article blogger TonyCane does his best to explain at least one reason that Miami has yet to right its losing ways.
U see my orange and green friends, according to TonyCane, it is mainly about recruiting failures over many years that resulted in serious roster in-balance. The in-balance he sees he describes like this...
The numbers show a lot of the factors in the irrelevancy.
If you look at the overall classes, Coker recruited well and had a very talented team. But Coker failed to recruit wide receivers and quarterbacks, and after 2004 this failure caught up with him. It doesn't matter how good the rest of your team is - if you are running a pro-style offense and you have to convert a punter (Monroe) to just have bare numbers at wide receiver, your team is set up for disaster.
The numbers tell part of the story for Shannon as well. He had one good recruiting class (2008) that was ladden with a large number of 3 star players. He followed it up with a decent 2009 class and a mediocre 2010 class that was only ranked as high as it was due to the sheer volume of players taken.
Golden's tale is the easiest to tell with numbers. His initial roster was imbalanced due to the withered 2010 class (third gone within a year) and a depleted 2011 class.
His 2012 class, while strong, saw an inordinate amount of players transfer, fail to qualify, or get eliminated from the roster. This speaks to the NCAA mess, where Miami could not be choosy and had to take what they could get.
The large number of departures from the 2012 class, coupled with the 2010 and 2011 classes led to roster imbalances that persisted until last season. This year is the first in a decade where the team is actually balanced.
Bottom line, no coach could have brought Miami back to sustained, Canes-like prominence for the entire last decade. Presume that Butch Davis or Bob Stoops had been given the job in 2006. They still would have had to contend with the Nevin Shapiro disaster that was in the making.
The coach in 2011 would potentially have inherited a stronger team and been able to recruit a bit more on recent success (USC), but the 2.5 year investigation with the death penalty being freely bandied about would still have brought the program several steps back.
As a program, Miami is coming back. It's just taking a heck of a lot longer than I or anyone else here expected or wanted.
Golden's flirtation with Ped U killed his 2013 class, not the NCAA
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 15, 2015 at 09:05 PM
This is totally false. The interest allegedly shown had NO impact on recruiting. Name the tecruits that didn't sign off because of this.
I'll be waiting right here.
Posted by: Lur-ker | July 15, 2015 at 09:34 PM
Ronda Rousy is awesome.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 15, 2015 at 09:35 PM
You don't have to wait for long: Matthew Thomas
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 15, 2015 at 09:49 PM
But he or Butxh would have incredible success with none of those resources here.
Posted by: Go Canes | July 15, 2015 at 09:26 PM
Butch already did.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 15, 2015 at 09:55 PM
Matthew Thomas?
That dude never wanted to come here. He even wanted to bolt FSU for USC after he signed.
Don't forget Vakentine "decommitting " too!
Give me a break man.
Posted by: Go Canes | July 15, 2015 at 09:56 PM
Valentine....sigh...out of LSU now too.
Posted by: TonyCane | July 15, 2015 at 09:58 PM
And Dude, you're right. Rousy is awesome.
Can't wait to see Phil Brooks (aka CM Punk) in his first fight in UFC next year.
Posted by: TonyCane | July 15, 2015 at 09:59 PM
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 15, 2015 at 09:59 PM
Jayron Kearse
Vernon Hargreaves III
Jaynard Bostwick
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 15, 2015 at 10:00 PM
Did you see her comments about Floyd?
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | July 15, 2015 at 10:04 PM
Don't forget Vakentine "decommitting " too!
Posted by: Go Canes | July 15, 2015 at 09:56 PM
Lurker said name them and I did, plus I believe Valentine came out the same the same yr as Chad Thomas. If Matthew was hell bent on USC how did he ended up at FSU. Anyway you can't downplay Golden job hunting in Pennsy didn't have an affect on Matthew Thomas' recruiting process
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 15, 2015 at 10:06 PM
Separate question...is Marshall as much of a destination for the recruits who cannot get into other schools as it is for Miami? Curious just how much talent is being accumulated there. Noticed that they went 11-1 last season...I wonder if they might be a playoff dark horse.
Posted by: TonyCane | July 15, 2015 at 10:13 PM
The interest allegedly shown had NO impact on recruiting.
Posted by: Lur-ker | July 15, 2015 at 09:34 PM
"Allegedly"?
"According to sources and media reports, five candidates interviewed with the committee - Miami coach Al Golden (Jan. 4), Franklin (Jan. 5), former Tennessee Titans coach Mike Munchak (Jan. 5), San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Greg Roman (Jan. 6), and Penn State interim head coach Larry Johnson (Jan. 7). It was not known whether the committee reached out to speak with anyone else.
Golden, a former player and assistant coach under Joe Paterno, loomed as the top candidate right away. In fact, some in his camp, perhaps Golden himself, were disappointed he was not offered the job that day, but the committee told him that it had other interviews to conduct and that the panel would be back in touch.
Even though Golden issued a statement the next day saying he was not a candidate for another job, he spent last week with a chance to become Penn State's coach in the event the interview with Franklin fizzled or contract talks went nowhere."
http://articles.philly.com/2014-01-14/sports/46153136_1_james-franklin-head-coach-larry-johnson-al-golden
Posted by: CaneRock | July 15, 2015 at 10:32 PM
is Marshall as much of a destination for the recruits who cannot get into other schools as it is for Miami?
Posted by: TonyCane | July 15, 2015 at 10:13 PM
I think it is...them & Louisville.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 15, 2015 at 10:38 PM
And last I heard, Rakeem Cato was ballin' out in the CFL.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 15, 2015 at 10:39 PM
Louisville is actually a Power 5 conference Power. Marshall is not though. Even though Marshall is only behind Boise State in non power conference schools.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 15, 2015 at 10:51 PM
Louisville is actually a Power 5 conference Power. Marshall is not though. Even though Marshall is only behind Boise State in non power conference schools.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 15, 2015 at 10:51 PM
True.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 15, 2015 at 11:07 PM
As far as being "back", and I mean NC "back", not winning the ACCC back...but you won't KNOW we're "back", until you see future All-Americans (ie Taylor & Winslow in 01') running down the field covering kick-offs.
I remember waching Travis Benjamin field a kick in the 2011 FSU game, and getting crushed by a DLmen, Goldman I think it was.
In that same game, Karlos Williams, who was a LB at the time, ran by our kick-off team and made em' look like they were standing still...A LB!
When talent like that spills over to your special teams, then you have arrived...or you're "back".
Posted by: CaneRock | July 15, 2015 at 11:21 PM
Very True Rock.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 15, 2015 at 11:38 PM
Those names you threw out, are totally made up. Those guys didn't come here for several reasons, none of them having anything to do with Golden and the Penn State rumors. You just made that up, and out of thin air. I hate that.
Posted by: Lur-ker | July 16, 2015 at 01:39 AM
The only commit, I remember de-committing because of Golden flirting with crappy valley, was Nigel Bethel.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 16, 2015 at 04:58 AM
Susan:
University of Miami athletic director Blake James confirmed to the Miami Herald on Wednesday that UM’s new retail-jersey number policy will be to only produce one jersey with the current year and another with No. 1 – as in “We’re No. 1,’’ James said.
“This year is odd in that Brad Kaaya, obviously one of our most recognized names and players, is No. 15,’’ James said. “But it’s 15 for 2015 and No. 1 because we’re No. 1. Next year will be 16 and 1, the year after will be 17 and 1. The progression will continue for as far out in the future as you can see.’’
As for UM, retailer Harry Rothwell, general manager of the popular AllCanes near campus, said vendors are happy this year, but likely not so much in 2016.
“I doubt we’ll be selling too many 16s,’’ he said.
The new UM jerseys are expected to go on sale sometime in mid-to-late August, with the new adidas uniforms to be unveiled Saturday night in an invitation-only bash at Club Liv in Miami Beach.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/college/acc/university-of-miami/article27355342.html#storylink=cpy
Posted by: CaneRock | July 16, 2015 at 05:28 AM
Blake James is an Idiot....
Posted by: RCCF | July 16, 2015 at 05:59 AM
Smart move Blake James.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 16, 2015 at 07:15 AM
Of course none of those players went elsewhere for other reasons.
Even Bethel "decommitted" because it was written the coaches ended up feeling he was too small.
It's a singleminded blame mentality, where no other facts are ever considered. If they stop then their "X coach would come in here and make us like X program" fantasy holds no water.
Playing in 25 year old, oversized stadium 30-40 miles from campus? It's a Golden problem.
Prehistoric facilities compared to most MID-LEVEL programs? It's a Golden problem.
Salacious, two and a half year NCAA investigation? It's a Golden problem.
Inheriting an out of shape, lazy, suspension filled roster further compounded by several of your veterans inexplicably leaving for the NFL the following year? It's a Golden problem.
He's not Bear Bryant. No one disputes that.
But good lord open your eyes.
Posted by: Go Canes | July 16, 2015 at 07:27 AM
And enough of the ridiculous USC comparisons.
They had a roster full of 4-5 star players when the sanctions hit and were the elite team in football when they got hit. Even after sanctions they got elite talent with what they could recruit because they were nationally relevant, which we hadn't been in almost a decade when Golden and the sanctions got here simultaneously.
The roster USC had when their mess started would have beaten ours at the same moment by 30.
So please.
Posted by: Go Canes | July 16, 2015 at 07:33 AM
DnoPa is the guy who should have been fired. He cannot teach or coach Defense. He wishes they could play like Seattle; he has no clue abut that D. He should be forced to manage a Burger King. ..thats all he can handle. Watch our guys in coverage, tackling, using hands, being ready, stance,
all critical fundamentals....terrible! The man does not develop players he does not teach.
GC very nice point regarding Sumlin quote....very very true. We have some talent....nothing great....but we have no depth at all. Without it you cannot succeed. Like CR said ST26 K2 on kick team....you know you are loaded with great talent and depth. We do not get the greats anymore....why?...we don't win. We have been gone and never have been back....remember a few seasons ago when everyone said The U and FSU were back? They were on the way and are back....we never were and are not.
Have to hope it happens this year....it must!
Posted by: VA Cane | July 16, 2015 at 08:09 AM
We are # 1....LMFAO....Cmon Blake really? ....so stupid!
Posted by: VA Cane | July 16, 2015 at 08:11 AM
Morning Spacers
Lurker
I could care less what you HATE, Golden's attempt to become the HC of PSU had an affect on recruiting. Everybody I listed was being heavily recruiting by Miami so to suggest that it had NO affect...well that's your opinion. Some believed we lead for Vernon Hargreaves due to his dad behind former assistant coach but now today he was never coming here,lol
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 16, 2015 at 08:20 AM
Nobody's blaming Golden for facilities & SLS...stop it.
One more time...nobody's changing anybody's mind about Golden around here...the only person that can change minds, IS GOLDEN!
Posted by: CaneRock | July 16, 2015 at 08:29 AM
You have no clue what you are talking about with Hargreaves. He wasn't coming here.
Again, you'll notice there is no backing up of your point because you are dead wrong, and because it's obvious you just threw a bunch of names at the wall. No credibility at all.
Posted by: Lur-ker | July 16, 2015 at 08:34 AM
Posted by: Lur-ker | July 16, 2015 at 08:34 AM
I don't anyone to back me up so please list the reason why they didn't come to Miami since you know so much
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 16, 2015 at 08:42 AM
Blake is protecting the U from lawsuits re: making money off players likeness. Probably a smart move... But hes still an idiot.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | July 16, 2015 at 08:43 AM
.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 16, 2015 at 09:14 AM
Blake is NOT an idiot for this move. It's a trend in college football because of the O'Bannon case.
Try to keep up.
Posted by: Lur-ker | July 16, 2015 at 09:14 AM
Vernon Hargreaves committed to FL in 2012, signed in 2013. Golden talked to Penn St. in 2014.
How did UM lead for him?
Posted by: 30CINCO | July 16, 2015 at 09:15 AM
Blake is protecting the U from lawsuits re: making money off players likeness. Probably a smart move... But hes still an idiot.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | July 16, 2015 at 08:43 AM
Most accurate statement of the day!
Posted by: Da U N Houston | July 16, 2015 at 09:19 AM
Vernon Hargreaves committed to FL in 2012, signed in 2013. Golden talked to Penn St. in 2014.
How did UM lead for him?
Posted by: 30CINCO | July 16, 2015 at 09:15 AM
Lurker
Your were right and I was wrong
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 16, 2015 at 09:21 AM
^^^^
About the recruits listed but the impact it had on recruiting
Posted by: SinisterCane | July 16, 2015 at 09:23 AM
Lol.
Posted by: Go Canes | July 16, 2015 at 09:44 AM
Is Brad Kaaya the Miami Hurricanes' Next Star Quarterback?
Since Ken Dorsey had consecutive top-five Heisman Trophy finishes in 2001 and ‘02, Miami has struggled to find an elite quarterback. Hurricane fans were tantalized at times by the play of Brock Berlin, Jacory Harris and Stephen Morris. But in the end, none of those players fully met expectations in large part because they simply did not win enough games.
Enter Brad Kaaya.
- See more at: http://athlonsports.com/college-football/brad-kaaya-miami-hurricanes-next-star-quarterback#sthash.UGX420dG.dpuf
Posted by: 30CINCO | July 16, 2015 at 09:47 AM
No problem with the number ideas.....but he wishes we were #1. The Canes, despite our opinions, agreements, and disagreements, are # 1 in all our hearts. Its time to be #1 where it matters most...field. BJ lol.....must have meant in hearts of fans....not on field for long time now.
A lot of things can be offered for an 11 year decline, many of them valid, many have contributed....AlPa has a hand in it as well. It cannot be placed squarely all on him.
BUT....he came here and said it will turn around....and he is charged with the task. ..he took it on.
Hope he will succeed this year. I mean that and I may criticize him....but I am pulling for him.
ESPYs....corny not big on that angle of sports. . I play watch coach and learn. Only award that matters is on field: championship!
Bruce Jenner or whatever the name....up there in a dress....cmon....little strange and out there.
Posted by: VA Cane | July 16, 2015 at 09:48 AM
Nice article about BK....he is a good kid did good job. Hope he can get help from all for a successful season.
Unfortunately.....we will hear a lot about OSU. They are loaded with talent...good depth. I hate them and Urban....but they are talented and he is a proven winner very good coach.
Posted by: VA Cane | July 16, 2015 at 10:02 AM
Several things had impacts on recruiting in 2013. The dismal 2-4 finish...looking lifeless in the bowl game...and let's not act like Golden flirting with crappy valley didn't have an impact.
I'm not gonna say no names, but wasn't that the year a certain blogger was o'fer in His NSD prognostications?...LMAO!
Posted by: CaneRock | July 16, 2015 at 10:05 AM
Good article on BK15. IDK, I keep hearing about the changes to the defense, but I'm more interested to see what changes they've been made to the offense.
Playing devil's advocate...if I'm the opposing DC going up against a young O-Line, I'm throwing my blitz package at ya'. Hope Coley has some blitz beaters in His toolbox.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 16, 2015 at 10:25 AM
Great blogging today Peeps.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | July 16, 2015 at 10:41 AM
Miami does not play seattles defense at allllll.
Seattle plays a cover 3 out of a 4-3 with great penetrating DT on the run stopping, OLB that cover the flats making Sherman look much better than he is.. a fs that knows how to cover the middle and make hits and a ss who is a box lb like he played at vtech. Yeahh that's just dumb to say.
3rd hardest schedule, doesn't matter who its on. Golden will get fired if he doesn't win 10 games. Bet on that
Posted by: laquinton | July 16, 2015 at 10:51 AM
^^^^^^^^ Yep.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 16, 2015 at 11:01 AM
3rd hardest schedule, doesn't matter who its on. Golden will get fired if he doesn't win 10 games. Bet on that
Posted by: laquinton | July 16, 2015 at 10:51 AM
Nope.
Posted by: Go Canes | July 16, 2015 at 11:23 AM
And 1 time (actually 2) for my homeboy, His wife dropped twin girls yesterday. Guy went through an ugly divorce, and the Lord blessed em' with 2 girls on His 2nd marriage. Don't get no better than that.
Posted by: CaneRock | July 16, 2015 at 11:24 AM