The jury is certainly out. Golden has yet to recruit a single recruiting class on an even playing field. When he got the job in December, Miami has three commits. Three. Its November right now and we have 27. Think about that. There was no recruiting class to "save." He had to start from scratch against winning programs that had been recruiting the same kids for 2 years. Every other class since then has been under the NCAA cloud. And what he inherited from Shannon was a roster devoid of a lot of talent and full of head cases. Even this one until recently. And remember we're at 75 'ships right now. We're essentially on probation.
He gets a long leash with me. This program could have easily imploded. In fact, it should have. A bad team with bad kids heading not only into the sensationalized Yahoo **** and an NCAA investigation, but a nearly THREE YEAR NCAA investigation. We should have regressed. Instead I see a lot of promising young talent and a nice class coming in.
As for the on the field performance, I see an offense that is missing some pieces (again, we're playing at 75) and is being affected by injuries and depth, but is very close. On defense the talent is really, really problematic at a number of positions, especially the DL. But I see a lot of talent coming in, and I am EXCITED about what AG and Co. can do on the trail in '15 with the NCAA shackles off (well, we will actually be on probation with slightly limited scholarships... AG can't catch a break).
Winning is CFB is a margin game. Playing with 75, missing some key pieces because of a reduced roster and depth, those are game-changers.
Are there coaching problems, especially on defense? **** yes. Are the HC and DC culpable if the scheme isn't working? Yes, and they are. Should the position coaches and the kids be held more accountable for how many kids are out of position and make mentals? I certainly think so.
The coaching needs to improve. A LOT. Before you reply with a bunch of nonsense, read that again and remember I said it, ok? But even more so does the talent on defense. This article really summed up a lot of what I have been saying since before the year. We really have a JAG defense right now, full of guys who won't sniff the NFL, especially on the DL. In CFB its pretty simple sometimes. No pass rush, no defense. It exposes every defensive player.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/spor...ws-from-evaluators-dolphins-heat-marlins.html
