The University of Miami Hurricanes lost 58-0 to #3 Clemson on Saturday. This was the worst loss in the history of the program. Most media experts wondered if this would be Hurricanes’ Coach Al Golden’s last game. Golden was fired on Sunday with four years left on his contract. Was this the right decision for the program?
Al Golden was hired at the University of Miami on December 13, 2010. He spent five years at Temple and turned the program around after going 1-11 in his first year. The Hurricanes were hoping that he would bring change and a winning tradition to the University of Miami.
In his first year, they went 6-6. University of Miami didn’t reach a bowl game with him until 2013 when they lost the Russell Athletic Bowl to Louisville 36-9. The next year he coached them to a 6-7 record but lost to South Carolina in the Independence Bowl 24-21.
The start of this season felt different with three straight wins but they have gone 1-3 since. The lost to Clemson was the final straw. According to Yahoosports.com, Hurricanes Athletic Director Blake James said, “Coach Golden has led our program through some very difficult times and he has done so with class, integrity and a true desire to see our students succeed on the field, in the classroom and in the community. However, we have a proud tradition of excellence at Miami, not just in football but in all sports, and we want to compete for ACC and national championships. I simply believe that now is the time to bring the Hurricane Family together and rally behind our young men.”
ESPN stated that Golden said, “On behalf of my family I want to thank the University of Miami for a tremendous opportunity. I believe in what we are doing and how we are doing it and we have some outstanding young men in our football program. Though this moment is difficult, we wish the Canes the best of luck going forward.”
Golden had a record of 32-25 with the Hurricanes. The problem was he never coached them to a big time bowl like the Orange, Fiesta, Sugar, or Rose Bowl. In fact, they haven’t played in one since 2004 when they defeated Florida State 16-14 in the Orange Bowl. The team hasn’t won a bowl game since 2006.
The University of Miami is one of the more difficult places to coach in the country because the fans and the alumni expect a bowl bid or a National Championship each year. Golden failed to meet expectations. The school was quick to fire him. Golden should have been allowed to coach the rest of the year to see if he could turn this season around and possibly go to a bowl game. Tight ends coach Larry Scott will serve as the interim head coach for the rest of the year.
What do you think of the decision to fire Al Golden?
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