WhatTheHell
"WE CANT DEMAND PERFECTION.”
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2012
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3. Is Al Golden unhappy at Miami?
Although Al Golden won the most games (nine) of his difficult three-year tenure at Miami last season, questions continue to swirl about how content he is with the Hurricanes.
Golden didn't help himself by remaining silent about his interest in Penn State, his alma matter, until it was clear that he had been passed over for the job. Even then, Golden issued an uninspiring statement through the athletic department indicating he was not a candidate for another job.
Al Golden has done a terrific job in three seasons at Miami, but some say the Penn State alumn has had his eye on the Nittany Lions job.
But a source close to the program says Golden seemed disappointed that he wasn't hired at Penn State. "It wasn't the same Al," the source says. "The guy who had all this enthusiasm when he got here."
Golden could not be reached for comment, but a source close to him insists that he's never wavered on Miami, citing the Hurricanes' current recruiting class, which could end up ranked among the nation's top five.
"Until somebody else was named at Penn State, the speculation was going to go on," the source says. "Al Golden never missed a day of work."
Golden didn't find out until eight months after arriving at Miami that he was inheriting a program about to get hit with NCAA sanctions from the Nevin Shapiro scandal. Yet Golden soldiered on, saying all the right things about his dedication to guiding the Hurricanes through the storm.
Golden doesn't have a pass from Miami supporters anymore, as the Shapiro sanctions came out in October and were relatively benign. At the time the Hurricanes were 7-0 and ranked No. 7.
Miami then went into a tailspin, losing four of its final six, punctuated by an embarrassing 36-9 defeat to Louisville in the Russell Athletic Bowl. During the struggles, players called former Hurricanes assistants for answers, according to a source.
"I don't think he's got it back on track," another source says of Golden. "It's all too up and down.
Golden has taken plenty of criticism, especially about his embattled defensive coordinator and close friend Mark D'Onofrio, whose unit gave up nearly 42 points per game in the Hurricanes' losses last season and ranked fifth-to-last nationally in total defense. Yet Golden has said he will not make changes to his coaching staff.
Although Al Golden won the most games (nine) of his difficult three-year tenure at Miami last season, questions continue to swirl about how content he is with the Hurricanes.
Golden didn't help himself by remaining silent about his interest in Penn State, his alma matter, until it was clear that he had been passed over for the job. Even then, Golden issued an uninspiring statement through the athletic department indicating he was not a candidate for another job.
Al Golden has done a terrific job in three seasons at Miami, but some say the Penn State alumn has had his eye on the Nittany Lions job.
But a source close to the program says Golden seemed disappointed that he wasn't hired at Penn State. "It wasn't the same Al," the source says. "The guy who had all this enthusiasm when he got here."
Golden could not be reached for comment, but a source close to him insists that he's never wavered on Miami, citing the Hurricanes' current recruiting class, which could end up ranked among the nation's top five.
"Until somebody else was named at Penn State, the speculation was going to go on," the source says. "Al Golden never missed a day of work."
Golden didn't find out until eight months after arriving at Miami that he was inheriting a program about to get hit with NCAA sanctions from the Nevin Shapiro scandal. Yet Golden soldiered on, saying all the right things about his dedication to guiding the Hurricanes through the storm.
Golden doesn't have a pass from Miami supporters anymore, as the Shapiro sanctions came out in October and were relatively benign. At the time the Hurricanes were 7-0 and ranked No. 7.
Miami then went into a tailspin, losing four of its final six, punctuated by an embarrassing 36-9 defeat to Louisville in the Russell Athletic Bowl. During the struggles, players called former Hurricanes assistants for answers, according to a source.
"I don't think he's got it back on track," another source says of Golden. "It's all too up and down.
Golden has taken plenty of criticism, especially about his embattled defensive coordinator and close friend Mark D'Onofrio, whose unit gave up nearly 42 points per game in the Hurricanes' losses last season and ranked fifth-to-last nationally in total defense. Yet Golden has said he will not make changes to his coaching staff.
