I’m also not buying that Al Golden didn’t have a clue that his agent was going to drop a little hint that his client deserved to have his contract restructured.
People might read my blogs, and think that I have some sort of contempt for Coach Golden. That’s really not true. I actually really really like the guy, but I’m on to him. He’s too smart, too detailed, too well-organized for this all to be a coincidence.
As we interview players after practice, former ‘Cane and football staffer Hurlie Brown stands by the ice tubs that players soak in after practice. Brown has two stop watches around his neck. He’s counting down the minutes that the players are in the tub. They get in and out on command, and it’s all timed. I’ve never seen a team keep to a schedule like this team does.
Golden is about details, even down to the exact amount of time that each player is soaking in the ice tub. Does this sound like a man that wouldn’t be on top of what his agent was doing contract wise? I hope you are shaking your head no.
Yes it would be a calculated risk by Golden. Anytime a coach’s contract comes up in the media, it has an impact on recruiting. However, I’m not sure anything could effect recruiting more than Nevingate. Plus, if his contract is re-structured before signing day– which if it happens, it’s going to be before signing day—none of this will have any impact.
However, I’m guessing this is the right time to get contract discussions rolling. Al and his agent know that Miami has to get his contract done before the sanctions are announced for Shapiro Madness. If not, and the punishment is severe, not too many people would feel bad if Al decided he would take his talents to Happy Valley or somewhere else.
Sure it might look bad in South Florida, but so did Butch Davis when he left after saying he wasn’t going any where, as did Nick Saban a.k.a. Mr. “I’m not going to be the coach at Alabama.”
Guess what, no one outside of South Florida cares. If Al left to go to Happy Valley after expressing how happy he is at Miami, the folks at The Creamery won’t feel bad for ‘Canes fans, nor will anyone else.
On that note, I honestly don’t think Golden would, or should for that matter, want to be the guy that replaces Joe Paterno. Go ask Ron Zook, Frank Solich, Ray Perkins and countless others what it’s like to replace a legend. Even if you win, you aren’t the last guy.
The key is to be the guys, that replaces the guy, that replaced the legend. Hello Urban Meyer and Gene Stallings. That doesn’t mean that Al couldn’t find himself another gig if he wanted to. That 300-page binder can be printed in any team’s colors. A matter of fact, I have it on good authority, that when Al applied for another job he was after, he had the same binder, in that team’s colors, with the word Miami replaced by that school.
I think Al is in this for the long haul, but he’s too smart of a man to work for less than he’s worth. Just being the guy that will be entrusted in bringing Miami through the dark world of NCAA sanctions means he’s worth a lot. He knows that, his agent knows that, and it’s not a coincidence that they want to make sure The U knows that.
IN OTHER NEWS : Tomorrow night allCanes Radio is back at The Titanic next to allCanes. We welcome former ‘Cane James Burgess, who’s son is committed to The U, to the show, a long with assistant baseball coach Gino DiMare. As always Platon from ProCanes.com joins us as well. Tune in to get all of the details on allCanes’ “Rally in Tally” too. We come to you at 7pm tomorrow night. Join us at The Titanic or tune in at allCanes.com
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Hope he does not leave!
I totally argree with you, no way just no way that his agent would even dare make any comments like that without his blessing. I really hope he stay's because with the sanctions that are coming if we have to start again with another coach, it will really set this program back and possibly cause more damage than the sanctions themselves.
Pay the man! The reason the stands are empty is instabitity in the program. If he ia as anal as you say, he's my coach. This team has been sloppy on the details too long. I am fired up to see how the Canes rebound after another painful loss. I understand duke is not bad. We'll see, Winning Ugly! Go Canes!!!!
There are two issues here. Did Al Golden and his agent discuss the possibility of a restructuring of his contract to more favorable terms if Miami had expressed some interest in doing so? Possibly, maybe even likely. It would be a smart move on Miami's part to try to reward Golden for how well he has handled the scandal issue, and how well he represents the University in the media. On the other hand, he is only 4-4 at this point, with two bad losses, Maryland and Virginia, one suspect loss against Kansas State (they would not be a top 25 team if Jacory gets that extra yard) and a toss up loss. If he loses the last four games, and it is hard to say that is impossible given the decline in defensive performance this year, UM would look silly offering him a restructure. I watched the AD press conference the other day and he sounded like an increbibly bright guy to me.
The more likely scenario is that his agent was contacted by CBS, and fumbled the ball. They threw bait in the water and the agent bit. No agent worth his name would publicly negotiate especially when the coach was coming off a loss like Virginia. This seems like an inexperienced agent pulling a Micanor Regis (the non apology apology moment) than anything else.
if coach golden does leave for whatever reason,then Butch Davis is my next head coach ,PERIOD!!! all of this talk about this or that is just detracting from supporting our team and its future.that's my story and i'm sticking to it!!! GO CANES!!!
... Butch had his shot during the 2006 season as the writing was on the wall with Coker. He chose North Carolina late in the year instead.
If you're Miami, you don't touch Davis with a ten-foot pole after what just happened on his watch in Chapel Hill. Especially if you're a program that the NCAA is scrutinizing right now. C'mon now, James. No way in a million years Davis could be an option based on both his and UM's recent NCAA run-ins.
Beyond that, if you're Davis, you never return to a place where you had the success Davis did as you'll always be measured by what you did in the past, compared to who you were a decade ago. You take steps forward in your career, not back and any good CEO would tell you that you don't return.
Davis and Miami had a great run and he set the stage for something incredible. That said, both sides have to move on as the divorce happened for a reason and you can't go back for a re-do.
to admin: to clarify my point a little further all i am saying is that i can remember when coach Davis took this program out of the mud and with the character he has put this program back on track.don't get me wrong,i like coach Golden ,but we still owe a lot to Davis (for those who remember)for saving the program.GO 'CANES!!!
You actually make it appear really easy together with your presentation but I find this matter to be really one thing which I believe I might never understand. It kind of feels too complex and very vast for me. I am taking a look ahead on your next put up, I?ll try to get the dangle of it!