For Miami Hurricane fans there are reasons-a-plenty for Al Golden's failure to right what was wrong with the University of Miami football program. But careful thought and analysis reveals five primary reasons why Golden could not get it done at UM: scheme, coaching, player development, depth and recruiting.
Today we will take a closer look at how and why depth, or lack thereof, on the roster was one of the primary reasons that Golden is now gone from Coral Gables (research by blogger TonyCane).
Looking back at each of the signing classes under Golden, the first two were wrecked by very early departures or failures to qualify. TWENTY ONE of the fifty two players that committed in 2011 and 2012 were off the team within two seasons, and an additional three failed to qualify.
The majority of casualties came from the 2012 class. It's a major part of the reason that the UM roster level was so depleted of talent and depth:
2011:
Failed to qualify:2 (Grooms, Kinard)
Left after one year: 1
Left after two years: 4 (Grimble, Finnie, Johnson, Paul) *not counting Botts
2012:
Failed to qualify:1 (Jean-Louis)
Left after one year: 10 (Briscoe, Carter, Davis, Dewey, Dillard, Ivery, Terry, Thompson, Witt, Lockhart)
Left after two years: 4 (Blue, Dortch, Hoilett, Hope)
2013:
Failed to qualify:3 (Bond, Lockley, Griffith)
Left after one year: 2 (Olsen, Sandland)
Left after two years: 1 (Lewis)
2014:
Failed to qualify: none
Left after one year: 1 (Hester)
We all knew that Miami was under the scholarship limit, but not many had any idea that the Hurricanes may have been playing with somewhere around 70-72 players and that far under the 85 player scholarship limit.
Sure, some will argue that only 25 to 40 players may actually play during any given game, but when any team is that low in overall depth it cannot be a good thing, now can it?
First!
Posted by: Itsa_Canes_Thing | January 15, 2016 at 04:29 PM
1?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 04:30 PM
Lawd. Need to fix this immediately.
Posted by: Terrance Sullivan | January 15, 2016 at 04:30 PM
Damn u Thing! Damn you straight to Gainesville!!
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 04:30 PM
top 5
Posted by: raizecane | January 15, 2016 at 04:35 PM
5 is just the 4th loser
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 04:37 PM
5 is just the 4th loser
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 04:37 PM
*********************************************
Just when i was feeling good.....
Posted by: raizecane | January 15, 2016 at 04:42 PM
Great blog, has me looking forward to reading the next parts.
Going forward, I sure hope the (four and five) stars align under Richt.
Posted by: VfB_Cane | January 15, 2016 at 04:43 PM
Do I get a participation ribbon for Top 10?
Posted by: Go Canes! | January 15, 2016 at 04:44 PM
Just when i was feeling good.....
Posted by: raizecane | January 15, 2016 at 04:42 PM
Second prize is a set of steak knives. And third prize is... You're fired!
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 04:59 PM
That's What She Said....
Posted by: RCCF | January 15, 2016 at 05:00 PM
OMG...NO STEAK KNIVES ON THE BLOG!!!
Posted by: SOUP | January 15, 2016 at 05:04 PM
Solid info.Thanks
Posted by: Old Skool | January 15, 2016 at 05:20 PM
OMG...NO STEAK KNIVES ON THE BLOG!!!
Posted by: SOUP | January 15, 2016 at 05:04 PM
Or chainsaws
Posted by: KYcane | January 15, 2016 at 05:29 PM
Too many misses on players. I expect this recruiting class to be top 20 however 2017 I expect to be in the top 10.
Posted by: Canesteeler | January 15, 2016 at 05:36 PM
I like Richards, but Bruce is special imo. I would absolutely take Richards and want him in this class, but if I could only take one I'm taking Bruce.
Epi...will you please send Coolmac's back home..hes back online again.
Posted by: UMike | January 15, 2016 at 05:38 PM
I wonder if anyone on the new coaching staff will operate the "Bat Signal"?
Posted by: nemo2002 | January 15, 2016 at 05:39 PM
How many WR's are we taking in this class? Seem to be going after a lot of them...
Posted by: CoCane | January 15, 2016 at 05:44 PM
Bruce or Richards??? Hmmm...
Bruce is the most versatile but I think Richards has the highest pro cieling.
Fukk it. Just give me both!
Posted by: CoCane | January 15, 2016 at 05:47 PM
Ok look Sam Bruce is not going anywhere....
What I took from the pic is that he is taking his visits just because, but he is Committed..
Posted by: RCCF | January 15, 2016 at 05:49 PM
Posted by: CoCane | January 15, 2016 at 05:47 PM
Absolutely on all points.
Posted by: Go,GoCanes! | January 15, 2016 at 05:59 PM
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 04:59 PM
Put that coffe down. Coffee is for closers only.
Posted by: Lur-ker | January 15, 2016 at 06:06 PM
To cancel the head coach's visit on the day of, because you were tired from a video shoot, is not only disrespectful in the extreme, but very telling about what his intentions might be.
Now maybe there are other factors, or maybe it's not exactly like that, so we'll see, but you don't treat anyone like that, much less an HC like Richt.
Posted by: Lur-ker | January 15, 2016 at 06:12 PM
Umike You have a Good Point. I would Love to have both, but when I seen Bruce in that Ohio State uiform, I knew he wasn't a True Cane. I rather for him to Decommitted like Richards than do That. I've been a fan since 1979. If You're not 100% Don't Come. The U
Posted by: Coolmac758 | January 15, 2016 at 06:46 PM
For All of You Guys that Likes Predicting the Future, please Don't forget the Lack of Talent on this Team. Until We get some Offensive and Defensive Lineman, we're not going to be Great. We also need Great Runningbacks. Not the Slow ones We Have. Davenport from our Championship Team was a 4th stringer and these guys are not even close to him. I.Like Homer Though.
Posted by: Coolmac758 | January 15, 2016 at 06:52 PM
So now Richards (who DE-committed), is better than Bruce (who's STILL committed), because Bruce postponed His visit? Sounds like that Yearby is better than Cook talk because we ended up with Yearby.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 15, 2016 at 07:10 PM
I always felt the way CR.
Both are huge priorities, but I think AR has more big time and long term potential.
Posted by: Go Canes! | January 15, 2016 at 07:14 PM
I don't know who's better. I don't care.
I also strongly believe kids can choose whatever team they want to play for. None of that bothers me.
But treat adult head coaches with a modicum of respect.
Posted by: Lur-ker | January 15, 2016 at 07:21 PM
Agree with that too L.
Posted by: Go Canes! | January 15, 2016 at 07:29 PM
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 04:59 PM
Put that coffe down. Coffee is for closers only.
Posted by: Lur-ker | January 15, 2016 at 06:06 PM
Awesome!! Thank u!
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 08:02 PM
That's it Lurk. Respect. Now maybe he called CMR and said coach I'm in/out there's no need to waste your time w me. In which case it's all good either way.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 08:27 PM
Now maybe he called CMR and said coach I'm in/out there's no need to waste your time w me. In which case it's all good either way.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 08:27 PM
And if that's the case, props to him. That would be acting like a man, and I would think more of him.
Posted by: Lur-ker | January 15, 2016 at 09:27 PM
Exactly
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 09:34 PM
you please send Coolmac's back home..hes back online again.
Posted by: UMike | January 15, 2016 at 05:38 PM
His mom got him. His helmets back on.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 09:39 PM
So now Richards (who DE-committed), is better than Bruce (who's STILL committed), because Bruce postponed His visit? Sounds like that Yearby is better than Cook talk because we ended up with Yearby.
Posted by: CaneRock | January 15, 2016 at 07:10 PM
---------------------------------------
He's BEEN better than Bruce, regardless of when you're asking and it has nothing to do with Bruce's status with UM. If we get Bruce and Richards goes to Bama, he's still better. Kids ceiling is an Amari Cooper type ceiling. Maybe higher because he's faster
Posted by: Ohio_Cane | January 15, 2016 at 10:04 PM
Coley has Miami speed. Every year we need to get a WR with Miami speed.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | January 15, 2016 at 10:10 PM
Just watched tape on both kids...
Richards is a greater threat because he can 1 cut and run. Elite burst.
Bruce is much more rounded. He glides more than bursts. Hes much shiftier and based on what Ive seen, his hands are softer.
Both are Miami caliber WRs.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | January 15, 2016 at 10:17 PM
Day 1, Bruce can do more things well. But also, line up Richards next to Coley, have one run the post and the other a wheel and youll have a safety in a lot of trouble.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | January 15, 2016 at 10:18 PM
I know virtually nothing about recruits, so I could be wrong, but isn't Bruce under 6"? Like significantly under?
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 10:55 PM
I would like to have Richards and Bruce. Throw in another 1-2 elite DTs and 2-3 solid OLs, 2 DBs and a RB. With that, we have the best class in years - lots of really good players in this class. There are game-changers at miltiple positions. CMR has a lot to build with.
Posted by: BigWindyCane1 | January 15, 2016 at 10:59 PM
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 10:55 PM
I think he's about 5'9
Posted by: Go,GoCanes! | January 15, 2016 at 11:04 PM
That seems short for a game changing receiver. Guess the kid must be a burner w hands.
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 11:43 PM
He's not even close to 5'9"
https://twitter.com/_quick6/status/687736622201335809
Dugans is 6'2" on a good day, which makes him about 5'5" or almost as tall as my ten year old nephew.
Posted by: Lur-ker | January 15, 2016 at 11:59 PM
Seriously, 5'7", at the tallest. Max.
Posted by: Lur-ker | January 16, 2016 at 12:05 AM
Seriously, 5'7", at the tallest. Max.
Posted by: Lur-ker | January 16, 2016 at 12:05 AM
*********************
Taller than Kevin Hart at least....
Posted by: raizecane | January 16, 2016 at 12:12 AM
Posted by: 1mg of Epi | January 15, 2016 at 11:43 PM
Not really a burner, but faster than many. A good comparison might be... Jaquizz Rogers.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | January 16, 2016 at 01:56 AM
Sam Bruce is Isaac Bruce's nephew.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | January 16, 2016 at 05:53 AM
Bruce runs routes much better than Richards, Bruce will be open a lot more often. Bruce is comparable to Berrios and Lewis, same type of skill sets, more dynamic though.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | January 16, 2016 at 05:55 AM
Last thing I'll say... Richards is more like Coley, a catch and burn WR. Miami should always have 3 or 4 of those guys and right now we have 1, Coley. To me its obvious that Bruce is much more polished and is more ready to do college level stuff. Miami should always have 2 or 3 just like him and right now we have 2, Lewis and Berrios.
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | January 16, 2016 at 06:01 AM
Tyler Byrd is my favorite recruit right now. Should get a ton of pt next year. Malek Young was a big pick up too. After Elder, things get iffy quick.
Question to the space, who are our staring 4 in the secondary?
Posted by: Dude on a Pale Horse | January 16, 2016 at 06:15 AM