The Miami Hurricanes are headed to the Russell Athletic Bowl to take on the Louisville Cardinals.
While that might not have the same ring as a New Year’s Eve bowl against a quality SEC opponent, there are many pluses to “The U” taking on a solid foe in the middle of the Sunshine State.
The day before the Hurricanes’ postseason opponent was revealed, Miami participated in the first of five bowl practices open to the public. Come Friday, an impromptu late-year “CanesFest” at Cobb Stadium, in order to drum up fan support for the third open-to-the-public event.
Miami hasn’t participated in the postseason since 2009 or won a bowl game since three years prior, but it’s obvious the Hurricanes are taking a different approach in the Al Golden era. Besides the fan support efforts, the third-year head coach has also sent a message to his current squad—all positions are wide open.
“Guys have ‘spots’ on mediocre teams,” Golden told the Palm Beach Post. “ ‘That’s my spot. Hey, this is my position.’ It’s really not your position. The position is the University of Miami’s position.”
While the sentiment might get lost on those busy shredding coaching decisions on message boards, fact remains Golden is playing his first postseason to perfection early on.
In the midst of a 12-game regular season, wiping the depth chart clean is a continuity killer. With one contest remaining, almost three weeks to prepare—it sets a much-needed tone. Competition has always been king at “The U” and in order to kill complacency, the ante was just upped regarding postseason playing time.
Buckle in, gents. The next few practices won’t be for the weak.
While fans debate talent versus coaching or the benefits of a 4-3 defense over the 3-4, staff is dealing with what is, not what could or should be.
Losses to Virginia Tech and Duke were gut-wrenching. Florida State had every right to pick apart Miami in a 41-14 beat-down, but the Hokies and Blue Devils should’ve been speed bumps en route to Charlotte and a rematch against the Noles. In theory, at least.
Eight quarters, 50 points, 1,092 yards and back-to-back losses knocked the Hurricanes down a few rungs in a very winnable Coastal Division.
For the fans, the sky was no longer falling—it fell. For coaches, rally-the-troops time as two regular season games remained. Miami went on to knock off Virginia and Pittsburgh back-to-back, resulting in a 9-3 finale—the program’s best since 2009.
On paper, not much difference between nine and ten wins, but perception is reality and a three-game win streak, coupled with Miami’s first double-digit win season since 2003 and first bowl win in seven years, is the type of thing that makes recruits take notice.
The Hurricanes already boast 28 verbal commitment and what ESPN lists as the third-ranked recruiting class in the nation—which is why Miami coaches are sending a calculated message by throwing out the depth chart.
Going into 2014, it’s a wide-open race at “The U”. Want on board? If so, there’s room for anyone who wants to outwork the guy next to him.
The step forward wasn’t as optimum as some hoped after last year’s 7-5 finish—including the 116th-ranked defense (out of 120 Division-I programs). Miami opened strong with an upset of No. 12 Florida, fueled by six turnovers, though yards were still surrendered.
A few comeback victories followed—and winning cures all, so a No. 7 ranking and undefeated record brought some false hope to Tallahassee. From there, Virginia Tech knocked Miami back to reality and Duke provided the exclamation point.
Still, in the murkiness of three-straight losses, there was still overall progress for this program.
In a matter of months, Miami shook off the stranglehold of the NCAA, topped the hated Gators, showed grit in some conference wins, finished strong, reached a bowl game and remains dominant on the recruiting front.
Golden showed up in Coral Gables with a 300-page fix-it doc and somewhere in there was a chapter regarding the postseason that he’s been sitting on for three years.
These are unchartered waters for Golden’s Canes, so give Miami the benefit of the doubt as the next three weeks play out. Support the program. Go to the open practices. Get excited for some postseason Hurricanes football as that hasn’t been the case since 2009.
Should Miami get blown out by Louisville or now come to play in the big game, everyone can get back to crafting their Mark D’Onofrio voodoo dolls. Until then, choose to believe and trust “the process”.
Don’t let a recent culture of mediocrity rob you from the joy of 9-3, a step forward and a solid bowl game against a top-flight opponent.
Once again you have facts incorrect. You contradict yourself in the blog. One place you say they have not been to post season since 2006 and another place you say 2009. Both are wrong. They played Notre Dame in Sun Bowl in 2010. Don’t let accuracy get in the way of reporting
Damn you really must be miserable these days, man. This is what’s come to, trolling the comments section and playing a game of, “I’m right, you’re wrong, I win”? Wow.
For starters, to “contradict” is to “deny the truth” usually by asserting the opposite, smart ass. That wasn’t the case here. It was a proofreading error, courtesy of writing late night thanks to working a few gigs, while also playing the role of husband, father, brother, son and friend.
So sorry for the mistake. Yes, Miami played in the 2009 Sun Bowl against Notre Dame and lost. The point that I attempted to make—and FAILED, as you so graciously pointed out— was that Miami hadn’t WON a postseason game since 2006.
Wow. I can’t believe that you’re the only person that didn’t understand that, error & all it’s a simple read dude.
Keep up the good work, Bello. As you know, we’re living in a culture of Mr. Right. Folks would rather criticize the work of another than actually produce something worthwhile themselves. Yep, you made a mistake, confusing a bowl win with a bowl appearance. Rather harmless in the grand scheme of things. Correct it and move on. Seems our friend John is getting off a bit too much on putting you in place. Sounds personal. Keep up the great work here at at B/R. Go Canes!
… thanks Tom. Yeah, would’ve been much easier to shoot me a note or graciously point out the mistake. Instead, our guy here wants to take me behind the woodshed. Also found out earlier that someone else reposted the blog on their page with some cheap shots, getting way too off on the flub. So it goes. Not all that worried about it. Was up late writing last night, working a few gigs right now, dealing with a sick kid and was riding the NyQuil train while trying to kick my own funk.
I remember more nonsensical garbage about Miami football on the stats front than most. Obviously I was out of it when proofreading around midnight after a long one. Sue me.
Thanks for the words. U Fam, represent.
It was understandable regardless of the mistake. Anyone who knows Canes history knows what you were taking about
… thanks Shabazz. A lot of folks prefer to point out flaws from the sidelines than to actually “produce” anything. Typical modern-day sports culture.
I could air some dirty laundry about the big mouth who wanted to play the role of blog editor, but I’ll let it slide as I choose not to sink to that level.
we live in a ‘now” world and we need patience and trust in Golden that he
has us headed in the right direction and will be a long term coach we desperately need . never forget we had 10 bad, bad years highlighted by a substandard AD
and poor decision’s in terms of Coaching hires + landscape has changed dramatically as well. We’ll get there this time but the road will not be easy or smooth. Hard to believe we are in a position to win 10 games…. lets enjoy the moment and look forward to a great class and more success
Nice write up. Everyone that supports THE U should take some time and get to the game. Only closer game is the Orange bowl.
WOW…U guys are battling it out in here.
… not by choice, Joe. Nothing like a jaded former friend of allCanes bringing the bitterness and know-it-all bullshit. Especially considering how good our little business was to this individual for YEARS.
My only concern is the defense. Golden is in this delusion he can run a 3-4 scheme here. None of the kids u hv recruited hv ever run it in highschool. &there are only 9 college teams that run it & not sucessfully unless its Alabama. & even they dint run it every year unless they hv a true nose tackle. Linemen in Florida don’t “Hold” the point of attack. They just attack. Besides Vincent Wilfort & Louis Nix(Notre Dame) aren’t walking but every half decade in Florida. There’s a defense called the Miami 4-3 , after us! Even if we become decent on defense it’ll never be as good as ruining what’s natural to these kids 4 down linemen shooting gaps. You don’t see FSU 2 gapping.
… I hear you, but I don’t believe Golden is looking to run a full-blown 3-4. I think it’ll be 3-4 and 4-3 packages.
Honestly, until the talent fully returns, it’s all an unknown. What ISN’T working—trying to run that 3-4, or any other packages, with this current personnel.
I get the frustration with the coaching and scheming and I sympathize as I too am a frustrated, title-starved fan. That said, until the talent returns, I continue giving an “incomplete”.
I remember my delusion in the late 1990s when I was in my late 20s and SWORE the Canes had enough talent to compete for titles, beat Florida State, remain a major player, etc. It wasn’t until Miami was good again—2000 through 2003—when I finally looked back and admitted, “Ahh, there WASN’T enough talent in that era and it made sense that the Canes were a perennial three-loss team”.
Personally, I believe that will happen again. A year or so from now, that eureka moment will happen and only when PROPER talent returns, will folks realize where there were holes with these recent squads.
Of all the articles I read about the Hurricanes I always come here (AllCanes) to get grounded about the state of the Miami Hurricanes football. I grow weary of the blogs and all the experts who know absolutely without a doubt how to fix things. Your reasoned opinions make sense and are worth the read.
… thank you, Hank. I appreciate the words. Like many, I’m a long-time fan. I started covering the Canes in the mid-to-late 1990s when I was wrapping up my college years. Sixteen years later, I credit adulthood, real life, marriage and fatherhood for the logical approach I take regarding The State of The U. All the ranting and raving, knee-jerk reactions regarding firings, et al—it changes nothing.
I supported Randy Shannon early on, not because I believed he was the answer—but because he was a former player that signed up for the job and he deserved the support. I was also clear at that time, that due to a rough upbringing, some obvious social issues and a wealth of inexperience as a head coach, that he would need to surround himself with veteran coordinators and learn on the job.
That didn’t happen and by year four, that backsliding was obvious and it was time for change. (If you dig in the archives here you’ll see that tone starting sometime after the 45-17 loss to Florida State in 2010.)
As fans folks either believe in Golden, or they don’t. If they do, then calling for the firing of Mark D’Onofrio goes against that. It’s also unfair at this time due to the lack of personnel, lack of depth / talent and fact that this entire staff has operated under the dark NCAA cloud for three years.
I’m not saying D’Onofrio IS the answer, nor will I claim that Golden won’t go down with the ship if the two of them can’t turn this defense around—but I’ve learned enough to know that calling for a guy to get fired every Saturday evening isn’t at all productive (nor will it happen, so why waste the energy).
Appreciate the support here, as well at Bleacher Report, where I’ve been covering the Canes nationally since August.