Thoughts on Al Golden to Miami

[MuchoBulls]

Miami must be really strapped on cash with this hire.

Maybe they just wanted another jacket and tie wearer out there like the Schnellenberger days.

[King Crimson]

i know i'll miss hearing about how Randy Shannon used to play LB for Miami.

seriously, i thought Golden would have been a nice budget hire for Colorado....until McCartney hijacked the hiring process. CU fans aren't likely to admit it, since they think another 1990 is just around the corner....but what the Buffs need more than anything is someone who can take the players on campus right now and win 7 games a couple years in a row....moving forward into the Pac. You don't want to go from 5 wins to 3 wins....you need to make the 5 to 7 move. I think Golden could do that....I also think the much maligned by CU fan Troy Calhoun could have as well. Funny thing about Calhoun, is CU fan is nostalgic for the option (which Bill McCartney apparently invented and perfected...lol...seriously, i've had CU fan tell me this to my face...a guy who grew up in Norman and went to all the OU games from about 1975-88 and I'm supposed to buy that? Thomas Lott, JC Watts, Jamelle...I saw Turner Gill in person...)....and Calhoun gave you that but since he wasn't a former Mac guy he never had a chance.

[Killian]

I think Golden was a fantastic hire. Golden has done wonders at Temple, is a great defensive mind, has ties up and down the east coast, and is known as a phenomenal recruiter. In my opinion, this blows the Florida hire out of the water.

[Shoalzie]

He seemed like was bound to be the next hot hire from the MAC. That's a major jump in stature as far as programs are concerned...I pictured him going to a lower level BCS program and then assend to a bigger job later if warranted. That's a bold move by the Canes to go with a lesser known name but a rising star in coaching circles.

[MuchoBulls]

That's a major jump in stature as far as programs are concerned.

That may seem like the case, but the Miami job has nowhere near the prestige of what it once had.

As good as Golden was in building Temple he beat only 2 Division 1 A schools with a winning record in his time there.

[TheJON]

Miami must be really strapped on cash with this hire.

Maybe they just wanted another jacket and tie wearer out there like the Schnellenberger days.

They refuse to spend money on coaches. Are there boosters poor? I know their fan support is god awful and nobody in the city of Miami gives a shit about them, but you would think a program as good as they have been over the years would have some wealthy boosters. I guess not.

[Terry in Crapchester]

Miami must be really strapped on cash with this hire.

Maybe they just wanted another jacket and tie wearer out there like the Schnellenberger days.

They refuse to spend money on coaches. Are there boosters poor? I know their fan support is god awful and nobody in the city of Miami gives a shit about them, but you would think a program as good as they have been over the years would have some wealthy boosters. I guess not.

I seem to recall Donald Trump opening his piehole about the coach search. Don't know for sure whether he's willing to put his money where his mouth is, though.

Personally, I think this is a very good hire, although I'm beginning to believe that it's much easier to turn a shitty program into a good program than it is to turn a good program into a great program. Golden is young, and up-and-comer in coaching circles, and with prior head coaching experience, I would say he's less of a gamble than Muschamp is. Plus it would appear to be easier to win in the ACC than in the SEC -- Florida State still isn't what it once was, and right now you've got Virginia Tech as the conference's dominant program. Miami is located in a better recruiting area than Virginia Tech, and Beamer won't be around forever.

Two further observations, in no particular order:

1. Golden will have to get to work on recruiting immediately. From what I've heard, Miami only has four verbals for next year, one of whom is wavering.

2. If Golden has any success at Miami, I could see him being a flight risk, particularly if/when JoePa retires. I could also see Golden trying his hand in the NFL, if they were to come calling.

[MuchoBulls]

Golden will have to get to work on recruiting immediately. From what I've heard, Miami only has four verbals for next year, one of whom is wavering.

Not sure if you're referring to Chickillo, but he might be leaning USF's way now. Would be a great get for us, but I still think he ends up at Miami.

[Terry in Crapchester]

Golden will have to get to work on recruiting immediately. From what I've heard, Miami only has four verbals for next year, one of whom is wavering.

Not sure if you're referring to Chickillo, but he might be leaning USF's way now. Would be a great get for us, but I still think he ends up at Miami.

A little while after I posted this, I realized that there are two verbals at Miami who are wavering now, Chickillo being one of them. The other is their QB recruit, whose name escapes me at the moment.

I've heard Chickillo has a visit scheduled at ND. I'd love to get him, but I think we're a longshot at best.

[MuchoBulls]

The QB you mention might be Bridgewater, who is taking his official to USF as I type this.

Chickillo has an official here in mid January.

[PSUFAN]

Golden is a great guy, for what that's worth. Temple definitely improved under his watch, which is really saying something. I wonder if Al will bring along Mark D'Onofrio as DC or LB coach?

It will be interesting to see how Miami fares.

[PSUFAN]

Aaaand, there it is...

[Terry in Crapchester]

Much as I like the Golden hire, I have to admi to being a litle surprised that the same university that once hired Jimmy Johnson allegedly was put off by Dan Mullen's arrogance.