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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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