Golden “Walks The Walk” At Miami … For Now

Four days of flirtation, endless speculation, unanswered questions and in the end, a long journey back to where things were a week ago.

Head coach Al Golden will return for a fourth year with the Miami Hurricanes, having taken himself out of the running for the Penn State opening. Silent on the matter since last Thursday, Golden responded Sunday afternoon in the form of a university-released statement.

Golden chose Coral Gables over Happy Valley, which should stand as a testament to the future of the Miami program. Past coaches departed for what were deemed bigger and better opportunities, and even if Golden mulled over a “dream job” opportunity and chance to go “home,” the result was staying put—for now, at least.

Whether Miami or Penn State is the more-desirable job all depends on one’s perspective. “Better” is always relative; circumstance and intangibles all play into the equation.

As it stands, the Hurricanes are closer to turning the corner than theNittany Lions—finally out of the NCAA’s crosshairs and ready to resume the rebuilding process. Bowl bans are a thing of the past, and Miami was hit with minimal scholarship reductions, leaving the program on the brink of signing the program’s most well-rounded class in a decade.

In Happy Valley, “Blue & White” faithful continue riding the NCAA storm out.

Scholarship reductions have been slightly restored, but smaller numbers and missed postseasons will remain the case for two more years. There’s also the Joe Paterno effect as the legacy of a legend—both good and bad—still permeates throughout Happy Valley, ready to hang over whoever paces that sideline the next several seasons.

While a Golden return to Penn State can never be counted out, fertile South Florida recruiting soil, an effort to make inroads with local high school coaches and the difference between time served and hovering sanctions, all give Miami the current edge—even for a one-time Nittany Lions team captain.