I love this time of year. While football season brings the most emotion, spring truly is much more action packed.
Basketball is wrapping up (though the women’s team still has a long way to go), baseball is revving up and spring football is getting underway. If you’re a true diehard, not one day of March is spent wearing anything other than the orange and green. There will be much to write about this next month – especially basketball and hardball – but for now, the focus is spring football.
Before we get into it, let me say this; I hate the minutia of spring ball. I don’t care who the starting strong safety or starting tight end is. Money time is the month of August and if you get too caught up in depth charts in March, it’s time to find a better hobby. There’s no reason to over analyze every position; especially before we’ve seen any action.
I know I talk about media access too much for the average fan, but the way I see it – the more access I get, the more you get.
After all that’s gone on around ‘The U’ the past four years, it’s inconceivable to me that there are only three open spring practice. It defies logic to me that the media still is only allowed to watch guys stretch and that there’s only communication with players and coaches before practice, not after. This is spring football; not Florida State week or a BCS bowl game.
With attendance as low as it’s been the past few years, every practice should be open. ‘The U’ should be bribing fans to to come down to Greentree to take in a Tuesday practice. So many wrong moves have been made with this program the past several years, that spring should truly be about the fans.
I have no doubt that some stellar ‘All Access’ pieces will be produced and that @HurricaneSports will fire off some informative tweets, but there’s also a reason that a pool reporter is allowed to travel with the President when he’s headed on a secret trip to the Middle East. The public deserves an independent account of the trip, just like UM fans deserve an independent and professional account of practice.
In sports, where is the proof that paranoia wins? Where is the evidence that Bill Parcells’ mantra of closing everything down equates to more wins than teams with more of a lax approach? Nick Saban and Alabama grant zero access and won a title. Before that, Southern Cal was winning hardware and their practices were wide open.
When Miami was putting together a 34-game win-streak and four straight BCS appearances, things were much more open than they are today. The Canes won five rings with open locker rooms, many more open practices, player accessibility after practice, etc. and this program hasn’t even sniffed a conference title since all that got shut down.
The point in this rant? Over the past half year I’ve talked to more pissed off donors and upset fans that have jumped off the bandwagon than any other time I can remember as a fan of ‘The U’ and it’s going to take more than three scrimmages to make up for that.
Fans want real access to this program; not just cool looking videos that anyone can see online and a few dozen chances to hear the head coach speak. Years ago, Dad could pick up Son early from school and jet down to Coral Gables to watch another group of Canes spending spring afternoons gearing up for Saturdays in fall. Not anymore.
Miami has a record of 35-29 over the past four years and there’s still an air of paranoia around spring practice, which again begs the question – when will someone prove there’s a difference between the difference in mindsets.
While on the subject, another issue – why is one scrimmage at Traz Powell, another in Palm Beach and why is the spring game at Lockhart? The mindset to appeal to fans north of campus makes sense, but what about those folks in Coral Gables, South Miami, Kendall, Perrine, et al?
While the Golden Era has been a breath of fresh air, the way spring ball is being handled – it reeks of the old regime.
What happens on the field this fall is ultimately what matters and in that aspect you have to believe that Miami will be markedly improved. Coach Golden has done a lot of things in a little time and you have to believe six months from now, you will see some great things out of this squad. You just wish you saw a little more out of Hecth this March.
IN OTHERS NEWS : We had an unbelievable edition of allCanes Radio this week. We heard from Coach Golden, Interim AD Tony Hernandez (who was very blunt in his comments about Frank Haith), Interim Baseball Coach JD Arteaga, women’s hoopster Riquna Williams and sixth-year senior Adrian Thomas. We also threw out some hints for our allCanes Radio trivia contest. Did you miss the show? If so, check it out.
We also had a great interview with second-year outfielder Chantz Mack, but we didn’t have time to get it in the show, so we posted it as a podcast. Have a listen.
Beast,
I don't mind the closed practices this spring. The staff will be implementing all new schemes. Why would you give our early opponents, this OSU, an early opportunity to scout us.
Thank you for your reporting.
I live 8+ hours away and dont have the opportunity to whine about not being able to go to practice. IT DOESNT MATTER! Coach has the reigns. There are a lot of changes being made exapmle.. Playbooks! Give coach a year or so to get his priorities set in. I have seen a lot of changes such as awesome clips of UTough and on and on that wasnt done in the Shannon era. I am pumped for what's ahead and the molding of young men for the next season. The guys are excited for next year as well as the fans. No need to cry about not being able to sit in some practices watching guys run basic drills. Go to the three open scrimmages and enjoy it. I wish I could go to them, but have to enjoy it by pressers, joe rose, gino, mike irvin. Focker OUT! lol
Why cater to this crappy fanbase? What has this crappy fanbase done to even deserve three (three!) open scrimmages? Nothing. Never go to games but complain. Access for the media is whatever, seems like media members down in South Florida (not necessarily anyone at AllCanes) whine about it and kick dirt on the program like a bunch of little whiney girls. Three open scrimmages in three different counties is awesome. But there was The Beast this morning, asking why *gasp* people south of where the Fade scrimmage have to ACTUALLY DRIVE NORTH to watch a game. The look on Al Golden's face was priceless- there was no verbal response necessary.
This fanbase embarasses me. I drove to GT, drove to Clemson, flew to Columbus, went to every home game…. and Al Golden is supposed to worry about Miami fans who think they shouldnt have to drive 30 minutes or even an hour to a game. Give me a break.
Congrats to Big Tony on his promotion and the Women's Hoops team, especially Coach Meier and Shenise Johnson for bringing home the major conference awards
How much of what is written here is being somewhat selfish & how much really makes a difference if there was an open door policy for practices? What couldn't be asked the next day before practice that wouldn't be asked after practice of the previous day?
I'm sure Coach Golden has a method for what the electronic/print media there would call "madness". It might change next year or might not – this year, I say let it be. Let them do what they do – any distraction is bad when trying to implement new everything to the kids. You need their 110% focus at all times, you don't need any reverting back to any old ways by a possibility of distraction. Our team in high school went away to go train somewhere else for a week, get away from everyone/everything. Nothing but pure focus on working on what the coaches dished out. A college team isn't going to pick up & go somewhere – but closed practices are somewhat similar
2 coaches – Saban & Carroll, with their practice policies. 2 different personalities, 2 different programs – both champs. I'd take Saban over Carroll any day. How much did the 'Bama electronic/print media walk around with the dejected Charlie Brown walk, their heads hung low & sad music in the background b/c they weren't granted full-access. How many of the USC electronic/print media couldn't wait to tell everyone that Reggie Bush made a nice move, LenDale White is still fat, Matt Cassel is sitting on the bench – now standing on the bench – trying to peek over to the pool to see some half naked co-eds. Riveting stuff the fans need to know
I think the pissed off donors & fans were due more to the clown school show that was being displayed for the past 4 years on Saturdays. Anyone really think its b/c they didn't get to see all practices? I think being able to watch some practices wouldn't change their sour puss, other than possibly people seeing what NOT to do when it came to coaching – or lack there of it. Actually, I guess that could be productive .. "Son, see what Coach Hurtt is doing with the DLine? Close your ears/eyes b/c I don't want you picking up bad habits." "Dad, how come (fill in the blank) is doing well in practice, but still doesn't get to start in games over the upperclassman that misses tackles, takes bad pursuit angles, etc?" "Son, that is called playing favorites & the coach being somewhat of a liar." "Thanks Dad. I learned something today"
The Canes record over the past 4 years has nothing to do with the new regime. That air of paranoia is mainly brought on by electronic/print media that chooses to harp on it, so the public is bombarded with it – to the point of it changing some of their minds. If people can't see immediate change in mindsets about how to run this proud program by the new regime – they're clueless. What has happened since Golden & Co. have taken over that people can't see a change? Players being made to eat breakfast, with coaches there to make sure they do it? Harder workouts? Accountability? Players rewarded in practice with different jerseys to invoke inner competition? Actual coaching the players up? Trust in the staff? We can't fast forward to 9/5 to see what this staff & kids can do on the field – but what is being shown so far is beyond promising in changing the entire mindset/attitude of the kids … esp. after the last 4 years of f*ckery
Nothing since Golden & Co. have taken over reeks of the old regime – don't kid yourself. As I said, how much of this is selfishness by people who want to be "FIRST!" on a message board somewhere with some breaking news that a player got a haircut & how much of it really does matter? If anything, the lack of all-access to the practices brings more of a sense of excitement to those few times that people actually do get to see the Canes in action – it's the ultimate tease
Beast –
Your articles are ussually on point, but this one is off.
Many programs close spring practices. Also, I think playing spring games up north makes sense as Randy really burned the bridges with the HS teams in Broward and PBC.
Plus, I'd rather have recruits in those counties come out than fans that are too lazy to drive half an hour.
Are you serious? One article allcanes is drooling over Golden and his openness and now you're bashing him because he's not letting you see all the practices? Get over yourself. We've been given plenty of access to the program lately but when a coach is transitioning he needs his time to get into the heads of his players without a bunch of people scrutinizing. Also, from what I read plenty of people got invited to see practice Saturday…maybe you did too but this article reeks of butt-hurtness.
In the past I would have disagreed with you in regards to the lack of access. But after the 2010 season I saw how wrong I was. With that said, I would say to give it some time. Will 100% of spring practice ever be open to the public? No. Would more open practices be better? Absolutely! It would be awesome!! Would a game at Tropical field be better than a game at Traz Powell? IMO…ABSOLUTLY!! It would be fantastic!!
With all that said, give them a year. Give them some time. It's a transitional year, they might be a little nervous.
Go Canes!
One article allcanes is drooling over Golden and his openness and now you're bashing him because he's not letting you see all the practices?
… for what it's worth, that was Beast's take – not mine. He has his opinions regarding the closed practices and that's his right.
I could care less if a practice is open or closed, but do agree that having scrimmages at Traz, in Palm Beach and at Lockhart isn't the best thing for the locals.
If Golden wants to close practices, I say let him. Winning games puts fans in seats. Nothing more, nothing less. That's always the way it's been in Miami and it's the way it will always be.
… and no one is 'drooling' over Golden, chief. I'll save the drool for an attractive woman – not a guy with Jimmy Johnson hair in tight coaching shorts.
I'm drooling over Golden!
can we boycott the marlins and muscle them out of that spot so we can build a football stadium?
to bitch about open practices is crap. If i cam coaching this team i give the media the first half hour to see the team and then kick you out. he is trying to put in a new offensive and defensive system.
There is too much to be learned by these kids and yes they still are kids and they don't need the distraction. You get your fifteen to a half hour be grateful and shut up.
Beast i respect your opinion but seriously there is way more important things to write about than whether a practice is open. your gonna get your open practice to watch its called the spring scrimmage.
why is there no articles on the baseball team and their emabarrassing performance against florida this weekend. i got to see it on tv it was god awful. i nearly cried.
spencer whipple as number one well harris and morris better get on their game.