The Latest at The U…

Christmas is in the books, the slow-down week of the year is underway, Miami faces Notre Dame on New Years Eve, new head coach Al Golden continuously works to right the ship and things are moving along in Coral Gables. Without further ado, the latest at ‘The U’ …

Coach Golden added another staff member last Wednesday – Brennan Carroll, who will serve as both tight ends coach and national recruiting coordinator. The 31-year old is the son of coaching great Pete Carroll and spent 2002 through 2009 with USC.

This is a big hire for many reasons. Aside from Carroll’s name, his Trojans-heavy resume now gives the University of Miami some California ties on the recruiting front. It also shows that Golden has a game plan and his recent staff additions / subtractions are all calculated and with purpose.

Carroll has been brought on board to bridge the gap with the west coast, while current linebackers coach Micheal Barrow, current wide receivers coach / recruiting coordinator Aubrey Hill and interim head coach / offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland were all retained and have strong South Florida ties.

Golden brought former Temple assistants – defensive coordinator Mark D’Onofrio, defensive line coach Jethro Franklin and defensive backs coach Paul Williams – who have obviously recruited in the northeast (and other regions).

When you step back and see what’s happening, you truly realize the type of foundation that needs to be laid if you are going to build a winner. There’s a science and it’s more than just local coaches and putting a fence around South Florida. Golden is putting emphasis on recruiting nationwide and Carroll is a solid addition to the staff.

One would guess this was one of many things emphasized in Golden’s 300-page document regarding how to get ‘The U’ back on track. Can’t wait to see what’s next regarding offensive coordinator and the other positions the new head coach will soon fill.

To that point, a little ‘perception vs. reality’ moment. One knock some have had on Golden is the fact that he came to Coral Gables via Temple, instead of somewhere marquee and opposed to focusing on the job he actually did with the Owls program.

Take Frankin, who headed south via Temple. Prior to a short stint in Philadelphia, there were NFL stops – Green Bay, Tampa Bay and Houston – where he coached defensive line, as well as two stops with USC, several years with alma mater Fresno State and a year at UCLA.

Had Franklin come straight to Coral Gables from Los Angeles, it’d have been a revered hire by those less ‘wowed’ after his nine-month stint at Temple.

Time to focus on the quality and abilities of these new coaches, worrying less about their last employer. Golden is making good hires and all deserve time to blossom and find their groove, regardless where they coached last.

I hate to even give him any space in this blog, but old school rapper and current high school football assistant Uncle Luke went public recently, giving Coach Golden a “F” thus far, stating that the new coach missed the state championship game (re: recruiting opp) and hasn’t yet visited Miami Central.

What Luke feels is pointless, but is worth mentioning as there are fans out there who might hold a similar opinion.

This is all part of a process and Golden is working overtime and spreading himself pretty thin, as there’s much to do. Working with a full plate, it’s all about prioritizing.

Assess the situation in Coral Gables, evaluate current talent, decide which coaches to retain, scour the nation seeking replacements for those let go – all “musts” and all taking precedence over schmoozing local high school coaches and players – for now.

Golden knows he has to build relationships with the local high school coaches, as he did in the Philadelphia area where he ran a very successful camp – one that saw almost three times as many players as past Miami camps.

That said, right now it’s all about working to save this current class. Reach out to those verbal commits that you wish to keep and find some other gems between now and Signing Day. Miami is signing a smaller class in 2011, so each player counts a little bit more this year.

Miami already lost a few early commits, but can still pull in some kids that might not have been thinking UM in the Randy Shannon era. Golden already earned a verbal from Fork Union Military Academy defensive lineman Olsen Pierre and JUCO transfer / former Nebraska commit, tight end Chase Harper.

Lastly, you don’t “grade” a coach two weeks in. You support him and remain cautiously optimistic. Golden has a plan and what he can control, he’s controlling. Let’s circle back to this on Signing Day as there will be some kids who fall off, but others who get on board last minute and surprise. Until then, Luke and the cynics need to relax as the Golden era is just getting started.

Speaking of recruiting, many felt Miami was dealt a blow when Northwestern High teammates, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and wide receiver Eli Rogers, opted for Louisville instead of the hometown Hurricanes. Rogers retracted his verbal commitment months back and Bridgewater followed suit soon after Shannon was let go.

From the looks of it, this appears to be a case where two players prefer to be big fish in a little pond, as opposed to ‘the guy’, with the weight of their hometown on their back.

Besides his relationship with Shannon, Bridgewater is also close with fellow Northwestern alum and current Canes quarterback Jacory Harris. Both Bridgewater and his family have mentioned in the past that they weren’t fans of the treatment Harris receives at Miami. That comment in itself could serve as proof that Miami was never the place for the local quarterback.

It takes a special breed to play for ‘The U’. Guys that don’t fear competition and guys who have thick skin, remaining unfazed by the criticism. It’s tough for local players who are expected to shoulder the burden of “representing” their city; especially quarterbacks, who are inevitably team leaders.

Lots of depth at wide receiver, the treatment of Harris and the fact that the Northwestern duo wants to play together in college; add it up and it sure sounds like Rogers and Bridgewater prefer to fly under the radar at a smaller program where expectations are lower and they can have more of the college “experience”.

When it comes to recruiting, you want guys who want to be on board and the type of kid who is up for the challenge of enduring three to four years at UM. Better to realize now that these two weren’t Miami material than to find out a few years from now when it’s too late. Good luck in Louisville, fellas. Nothing wrong with being big fish in a little pond if that’s what you’re looking for.

Junior cornerback Brandon Harris lists himself at “85%” regarding returning to UM for his senior season. Harris had stated that he’d have to be a sure-fire first rounder to even think about departing early and he’s still waiting to see where he’s projected to go.

Combine that with a possible NFL lockout next season and it seems several juniors nationwide will continue weighing their options.

You can’t blame Harris for going early, but based on where the NFL might be headed, it would probably benefit the junior to stay put, learning from a new, hungry coaching staff that might teach him a few things, upping his status for the 2012 draft.

Miami landed in El Paso on Sunday and has started preparations for the Sun Bowl against Notre Dame, kicking off at 2pm ET on New Years Eve and broadcast on CBS.

Those on hand called it the most elaborate and warm welcome the Canes have received in the post-season. Mariachis, dancers, locals and game officials all showed up to cheer as Miami’s chartered flight landed, with both players and coaches feeling the sincerity and warmth.

Here’s hoping the vibe in El Paso helps a distracted team find their focus. This has been as challenging a season as these Canes have seen, but there’s obviously enough talent on board to get the win and with a well-know, nationally relevant program like Notre Dame on the other sideline, the motivation to shine is there – even with both teams sitting on five losses.

Sunday evening the Canes went to a team barbecue at Sunland Park Race Track & Casino an today they’ll visit the pediatric unit of a local hospital before heading to Lucchese Boots for some El Paso-famous cowboy boots.

Word is Jacory Harris got first team reps in practice while Stephen Morris worked with the second string offense. Interim head coach Jeff Stoutland is yet to officially name a starter, but all signs point to Harris. That said, it’s a bowl game so you have to believe both kids will get their fair share of reps going into the off-season and giving coaches something to think about before spring ball and a quarterback competition is underway.

Keep running back Mike James and his family in your thoughts and prayers. James’ 47-year old mother Elgusta was killed in an auto accident a week ago today and her funeral is set for this Friday – the same time Miami and Notre Dame will square off in El Paso.

James spent the holidays with his family in Haines City and will join his teammates in El Paso today. James will suit up against the Irish while his mother is being buried, as he feels it’s what she’d have wanted him to do.

A tragic, heavy situation for a good college kid who should be reveling in an exciting post-season game with his teammates. Keep your head up, No. 5 and we’ll keep you in our thoughts. Amazed you are choosing football this Friday, but obviously a true testament to your character and your love for your teammates. Here’s hoping you have the game of your life.

Those who want to send flowers in memory of Elgusta James, please send them to the Holmes Funeral Home in Haines City. For more information, please call 863.419.2700.

Lastly, a hearty congrats to former Cane player and assistant Mario Cristobal, current head coach at Florida International and as of last night, winner of the program’s first bowl game.

The Golden Panthers were down 24-7 early in the third quarter but rallied to a 34-32 victory when kicker Jack Griffin nailed a 34-yarder as time expired.

Because of his Cane ties, it was easy to pull for Cristobal, even knowing the stench of Panther fans would be in the air this Monday morning. Not to mention those UM folks out there who would beat the drum that this is a ‘team on the rise’ and that maybe Miami should’ve looked at Cristobal instead of Golden, et cetera.

Cristobal is doing a great job four years in at Florida International, but it doesn’t yet compare to what Golden did in five years at Temple. Cristobal is building a program from the ground up – in the nation’s most fertile recruiting area, taking all the big Florida school leftovers – while Golden took a lose-lose situation and made a one-foot-in-the-grave program relevant, after years on life support.

FIU went 7-6 on the season with wins over Western Kentucky, North Texas, Louisiana-Monroe, Troy, Louisiana-Lafayette and Arkansas State. Any fans feeling they’ll someday dethrone one of the ‘big three’, make note that little ol’ Florida Atlanta schooled FIU, 21-9 in late October and this is a program that went 3-9 last season, 5-7 in 2008 and 1-11 in Cristobal’s first season.

That’s not to take anything away from what Cristobal’s squad accomplished this season. It’s simply to put into perspective that UM and FIU will remain light years apart for the time being.

Lastly, regarding Golden versus Cristobal, it remains a no-brainer. Golden’s resume is more than just five seasons as Temple’s head honcho. There was success at Virginia, where Golden had two stints – one as a graduate assistant under George Welsh and another as defensive coordinator, where he learned from Al Groh and was a tireless, well-respected recruiter.

There’s a reason Golden’s name surfaced for recent openings at UCLA, Tennessee and Cincinnati. There’s a reason Golden didn’t jump at either, building his resume at Temple and licking his chops for a Miami-like opportunity. There’s also a reason Kirby Hocutt and Miami were all over Golden; because he was ripe to make the big move. His time is now and Mario’s is coming.

Golden is a bigger name than Cristobal (right now) and that’s a big reason he’ll assemble a solid staff in Coral Gables – something Cristobal doesn’t have the ‘street cred’ to do at this point of his young career. (Prior to taking over lowly FIU, Cristobal hadn’t held a position higher than offensive line or tight ends coach.)

Cristobal is cutting his teeth at FIU and who knows, if Golden turns Miami around and moves on in a few year, maybe Mario gets his shot. But for now, both guys are where they should be and while Golden starts a new chapter, Cristobal and his program have every reason to be excited over last night’s bowl win.

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