For those who missed it, Al Golden made another Monday morning appearance on the Joe Rose Show on 560 WQAM and as always, another action-packed eighteen-minute segment where it was all left on the table.
Rose always brings out the best in Golden, and Golden wisely takes on these interviews with an openness and authentic candor that makes for great listening, as well as giving fans of this program a real reason to buy-in and believe.
Golden opened by discussing the fact that the team is under the two-week mark and is finally ready to prepare for Florida Atlantic, as well as new position battles on the defensive line that have arisen due to some recent transfers that have helped build depth, as well as the experience they bring having played for big time programs the past few years.
David Gilbert comes in from Wisconsin and Justin Renfrow from Virginia. Each has one remaining year of eligibility remaining and if both want to play at the next level, the time is now – and they’re responding accordingly, per Golden. He went on to explain that defensive line depth is finally getting closer to where it needs to be thanks to immediate-impact guys like this.
Lots of talk about true freshman wide receiver Stacy Coley who is living up to the hype. Golden praises the work ethic of Allen Hurns and Phillip Dorsett for setting a bar that Coley is already living up to and where it was obvious Rose was opening the door for Golden to shower Coley with praise, especially regarding on-the-field receiver ability, Golden took it another direction.
He focused on the work ethic, found a way to credit veteran receivers with showing the newbie the way and seemed more ‘wowed’ by a cut-block Coley pulled off, opposed to an eye-popping grab.
Golden again preached growth, “trusting the process” and pointed out that folks “down here” to wanting to anoint a kid the “next great” before they’ve ever played a down. Remember that with the new talent and let them grow into the position proper.
Rose talked about a recent Miami Herald article that discussed Golden’s recruiting style and impact. It was a positive piece and though Golden stated he hadn’t read it, was open to sharing his thoughts on the matter.
The third-year coach went on to explain his management style and having a ‘you’ orientation instead of a ‘me’ orientation and being a serving leader. Golden knows it’s all about the current athletes, as well as those next generation of kids coming up and doing right by them.
The biggest takeaway might’ve been Golden’s reaffirmed commitment to this community and righting the ship that was so wronged and put Miami in a hole. He gave the example of his father being an investment banker and the short-term approach of making a sale and a little money, versus building proper relationships that could yield much better long-term results.
Al is concerned with building for a long-haul and explained that while not everyone is going to agree with the process, that being transparent, wearing it on his sleeve and creating a proper process will at least bring proper respect.
Golden was asked about the recent autograph issues that have plagued college football and how his addressing with the team, which he explained has been an ongoing thing since well before the recent Heisman winner out of aTm got in hot water.
Golden explained that you can’t put up a sign or tell guys not to do something after the fact. By then, it’s way too late. Golden explained again, the core values, the things he’s learned and seen in the the game as a coach for over two decades and pitfalls that need to be avoided. Don’t let the kids fall victim. Play a proactive role on a daily basis and thwart out the issue before it even becomes an issue.
Position-wise Golden explained that a few weeks from kickoff there are still guys who need to get better at technique and conditioning, as well as knowing and accepting and executing their overall roles.
Golden reminded that the next twelve days are an eternity in this profession and sport, but that a lot of work still needs to be done. He also stated this has been a “get better” camp and not one of survival.
Competition is again becoming key, especially in the secondary and at linebacker, according to Golden – to a point where some guys should think about slight position changes in order to better their chances at seeing the field.
Golden specifically pointed out sophomore Thurston Armbrister, true freshman Alex Figueroa and sophomore Tyriq McCord all vying for the job of ‘sam’ linebacker and stating that the competition is so strong between the three, that one might want to consider moving over to ‘mike’ or ‘will’ (or even rush end) to work their way closer to a starting role.
Golden said the same about the number of bodies on the defensive line right now. He was quick to point out that the talent level still isn’t where it needs to be, but the Canes finally have numbers on the line.
There’s oft a sticking point between fans when the majority of Hurricane supporters are quick to call Florida Atlantic a ‘scrimmage’ or warm-up type game, as the Florida Gators loom a week later. Others beat a drum about how no game can be taken lightly and what not – which again, is what coaches are supposed to sell.
Fans can overlook opponents, while players and coaches cannot and Golden let it be known that if his team isn’t ready for the Owls and is focused on the Gators, they have missed the entire message.
“If our guys aren’t focused on FAU … and more importantly, we’re not in FAU week, but if we’re not focused right now on getting better, and then when we get to FAU, focused on FAU, then we’re not ready to do the types of things that we want to do to chase our goals – and that’s the truth. A real mentally-tough team, a focused team, it doesn’t matter who the opponent is,” Golden said.
“There’s a standard within that organization that they’re going to play to and I hope our guys have learned that here. We’ve been teaching the hell out of that for two years now.
If we don’t understand our process – and for a variety of reasons that wasn’t our process a year ago. Within games and from game to game. You know it, I know it and I don’t make any excuse. I’m responsible for that, but we have to teach the team that there’s a standard every day in terms of how we practice, how we prepare and then ultimately how we play.
It’s a standard that was set long before we came here and it’s certainly something we have to represent moving forward. I hope our guys understand that. It doesn’t matter whose ‘over there’, we have to do what Hurricanes need to do.”
Let this serve as proof for the contingent of the fan base that feels other fans need to be overly concerned with the likes of FAU. They don’t. Fans are allowed to go on and on about how the game will be a gimmie (re: the Canes are a four-touchdown favorite), because coaches know the importance of former high school rivalries, what this game means to FAU, but more importantly, that great teams treat all opponents with the same attitude and respect.
FAU is “game one” on the schedule and Florida is “game two”. Each gets its own proper preparation and none is bigger than the other as they both will equate in a loss or a win in the record books.
Lastly, Rose asked Golden about being ranked outside the top twenty-five and if the coach would use that as motivation and some type of rallying cry, which Golden dismissed – yet showed in his own way that his response in itself actually is a motivation tactic.
Golden explained that guys have to get out there and prove it. That’s his attitude and one he’s put on his players and it isn’t lost on anyone within this organization that Miami has proved little in and out the past few years.
Golden did acknowledge that the program itself has been through a lot and that these Hurricanes have shown toughness, loyalty, unity and resolve, but nothing has been proven on the field and now is the time to change that, to which Golden says his kids are excited and ready.
Man, I am so glad Al Golden is The U’s head man. I seriously dont’t know how we could have gotten a better person. Love this dude!
… even scarier, not sure where this program would be had he not gotten on board and then had the stones / decency / value-system to STAY on board and fight through. Lesser coaches would’ve been chewed up by this, while men with less scruples would’ve bailed out and worried about self. Miami seemed to find the ONE guy who has all the tools necessary, not to just endure, but to rebuild proper. In the end, he will arguably go down as one of the Canes’ best.
I like Al Golden and what he says. On what he says he basically giving the Miami Hurricanes hope. At the End of the day he has to win on the field and in the classroom and film room When he wins and gets Miami back to having championships then I will say he is the right guy. We have ben going through 8 bad years and until that guy wins the championship then I will say we are headed in the right direction with that current coach who does it. I want the buc to stop with Al Golden I am hoping he is the right coach. Go Canes!!
Al Golden inherited a broken program almost three years ago and had no idea what was coming on the NCAA-front.
To give him no credit for heading in the right direction because Miami isn’t yet winning championships again; that’s insane. Even in thirty years of successful football, the Canes only have five total titles – four of which came between 1983 and 1991. Over the next twenty-two years, Miami has ONE ring. Unfair to make that the benchmark for Golden’s success. Especially considering the shit-show he took over in late 2010.
The man is putting in the work to right a very broken ship. Who else was signing up to do the job he’s doing? No one. Not in 2007 when Shannon was the lone option for Coker and not in 2010, when the short-list had some very undesirable candidates outside of Al.