The Beast : Everything Happens For A Reason

Yes I’m cynical. Most of us that grow up in the northeast are. I tend to not take anything at face value. Whether it’s a mechanic telling me I need to do X, Y, or Z to my car, or agent, Brett Senior, saying he didn’t know Dennis Dodd from CBSSports.com was writing a story.

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

Comments

comments