Attended the Hurricane Lunch today with Coach Golden

SpikeUM

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Nothing particularly earth shattering or that you havent heard recently.

While we may not be there quite yet, the whole team has made huge strides, and is substantially ahead of not only last summer, but even the end of the season.

It appeared that "being there" is defined as having proven 2 deep at each position, and be able to redshirt each QB recruited.

Repeatedly praised a few players, especially Randy (not Duke) Johnson, Steven Morris and Brandon Linder. He says their maturity and level of commitment to the team is exemplary, and reminiscent of the old school Canes. Linder bench pressed 225 lb's 41 times, which is more than anyone in the NFL draft this year. He also said that Mike James and Brandon Mcgee had both been back to speak with the team, and that Mike James recently went over in detail what the Combine process was about.

Was asked about Figueroa, and said that everyone was amazed at his progress, and joked that since both of his parents are marines, he would be focusing in the future on recruiting more sons of marines.

As excited as he is about Corn Elder and Derrick Griffin, Larranaga was even more pumped, and joked that their recruitment had greatly improved the two coaches relationship.

Coley has been working on Williams throwing motion, and he is much improved. Crow has also shown quite a bit of improvement.

Thinks we wlll be fine with the 10+ LB on the squad, but that he will recruit an extra couple of LB's now.

Many sports writers were there, and it was fun to speak "off the record" with folks like Tim Reynolds (REALLY nice guy) and Barry Jackson.
 
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Holy **** at Linder's bench numbers. He will show really well at the combine between that and his quick feet.
 
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Holy **** at Linder's bench numbers. He will show really well at the combine between that and his quick feet.

Fire Swasey...lulz

For the record, I'm a Swasey supporter...

However, I'm still conflicted about how a competent S&C coach could let the program slide as much as it did. For example, you hear Golden talk about how few guys could rep 225 20+ and 30+ times before he arrived and what they are doing now. No solid nutrition plan, guys like Luther Robinson and Seantrel displaying **** poor effort, etc. Being part of the S&C trade, the coach would have to know what other schools' strength numbers look like and how inadequate and unacceptable our were under Shannon/Swasey. I don't know...would love to hear what Golden's real thoughts were upon his arrival.
 
Holy **** at Linder's bench numbers. He will show really well at the combine between that and his quick feet.

Fire Swasey...lulz

For the record, I'm a Swasey supporter...

However, I'm still conflicted about how a competent S&C coach could let the program slide as much as it did. For example, you hear Golden talk about how few guys could rep 225 20+ and 30+ times before he arrived and what they are doing now. No solid nutrition plan, guys like Luther Robinson and Seantrel displaying **** poor effort, etc. Being part of the S&C trade, the coach would have to know what other schools' strength numbers look like and how inadequate and unacceptable our were under Shannon/Swasey. I don't know...would love to hear what Golden's real thoughts were upon his arrival.

What's that saying? 'The fish stinks from the head down?'

This could really be an indictment of who was in charge of the previous two regimes( Coker and Corch)
 
Holy **** at Linder's bench numbers. He will show really well at the combine between that and his quick feet.

Fire Swasey...lulz

For the record, I'm a Swasey supporter...

However, I'm still conflicted about how a competent S&C coach could let the program slide as much as it did. For example, you hear Golden talk about how few guys could rep 225 20+ and 30+ times before he arrived and what they are doing now. No solid nutrition plan, guys like Luther Robinson and Seantrel displaying **** poor effort, etc. Being part of the S&C trade, the coach would have to know what other schools' strength numbers look like and how inadequate and unacceptable our were under Shannon/Swasey. I don't know...would love to hear what Golden's real thoughts were upon his arrival.

What's that saying? 'The fish stinks from the head down?'

This could really be an indictment of who was in charge of the previous two regimes( Coker and Corch)

In part, yes. The other half of me wonders how in the world the S&C program could become so **** poor under Swasey's watch. I get it--the head coach sets the tone, expectations, etc. However, there has to be a minimum standard. Swasey has to be friends with multiple S&C coaches at major programs around the country. Those guys talk about things like how many guys are benching 30+ reps and **** like that.
 
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Holy **** at Linder's bench numbers. He will show really well at the combine between that and his quick feet.

Fire Swasey...lulz

For the record, I'm a Swasey supporter...

However, I'm still conflicted about how a competent S&C coach could let the program slide as much as it did. For example, you hear Golden talk about how few guys could rep 225 20+ and 30+ times before he arrived and what they are doing now. No solid nutrition plan, guys like Luther Robinson and Seantrel displaying **** poor effort, etc. Being part of the S&C trade, the coach would have to know what other schools' strength numbers look like and how inadequate and unacceptable our were under Shannon/Swasey. I don't know...would love to hear what Golden's real thoughts were upon his arrival.

What's that saying? 'The fish stinks from the head down?'

This could really be an indictment of who was in charge of the previous two regimes( Coker and Corch)

In part, yes. The other half of me wonders how in the world the S&C program could become so **** poor under Swasey's watch. I get it--the head coach sets the tone, expectations, etc. However, there has to be a minimum standard. Swasey has to be friends with multiple S&C coaches at major programs around the country. Those guys talk about things like how many guys are benching 30+ reps and **** like that.

No, argument there. Some of this has to be on him, absolutely...
 
Was asked about Figueroa, and said that everyone was amazed at his progress, and joked that since both of his parents are marines, he would be focusing in the future on recruiting more sons of marines.

And not fake *** Cane fans for parents and 305 traitor for a son.
 
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IMO the biggest difference we'll see in the team next season will be in strength and conditioning. The conditioning seemed to be there even last year and reads like the strength will be there as well.
Linder's numbers are pretty impressive.
 
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Holy **** at Linder's bench numbers. He will show really well at the combine between that and his quick feet.

Fire Swasey...lulz

For the record, I'm a Swasey supporter...

However, I'm still conflicted about how a competent S&C coach could let the program slide as much as it did. For example, you hear Golden talk about how few guys could rep 225 20+ and 30+ times before he arrived and what they are doing now. No solid nutrition plan, guys like Luther Robinson and Seantrel displaying **** poor effort, etc. Being part of the S&C trade, the coach would have to know what other schools' strength numbers look like and how inadequate and unacceptable our were under Shannon/Swasey. I don't know...would love to hear what Golden's real thoughts were upon his arrival.

What's that saying? 'The fish stinks from the head down?'

This could really be an indictment of who was in charge of the previous two regimes( Coker and Corch)

Shannon had LBs saying they didn't need to lift weights. Golden kept Swasey, and kids are doing great now. I think we all know what went wrong.

Thanks Randy
 
A couple of more tidbits, including the most important one.

He is building a program for the long term, because he intends to be here long term. He has no interest leaving.

Also spent a fair amount on time on Deon and Rayshawn, saying that safety was a very difficult position for a true freshman, and that they had both done a great job under the circumstances. Also said they are now both even better than last year.

Both Tim and Barry raved about Golden, completely unsolicited and off topic, so they werent pandering.

Reflecting the conversation in this thread, Golden also raved about the teams conditioning and strength numbers.

Golden Al and Zagacki referred to the OL as the "Great Wall of Miami", or something like that. He also praised not only Linder but Flowers as well for their maturity and improvement.

Barry sat at my table and was also quite nice and took lots of notes, so whatever I forgot, he will likely include in his column.
 
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Thanks Spike, no question AG is getting the kids with the right attitude in, quietly Miami is building a great O-line stable, look at whats here and what's committed.
Next years O-line could rival the '01-'02 guys.
 
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