Al Golden Reportedly Accepts Miami Coaching Job: Why He's An Excellent Fit

The Al Golden Era officially begins for Miami Hurricanes football.

According to the Miami Herald, Golden, the head coach at Temple University, accepted the University of Miami’s head coaching job on Sunday.

The 41-year-old led one of the nation’s worst football programs to respectability in the Mid-American conference, winning 17 games over the last two season. He took over a Temple program coming off a 0-11 season and a boot from the Big East.

After the fallout with Jon Gruden, a poor miscalculation of interest by UM Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt, Miami closed in on Golden while also considering Connecticut’s Randy Edsall and Montreal’s (CFL) Marc Trestman.

The terms of the deal have not yet been disclosed.

Analysis

This is by no means the sexy, big-splash hire that many had hoped for. Yet, it could easily end up being the best hire.

Golden is the young, energetic personality Miami needs to reform this program. There is some nice talent in place. It just needs a good kick in the ass.

If the man can win with garbage facilities, a minuscule recruiting budget, and an overall terrible program, it will be interesting to see what he can do at Miami.

Keep an eye on the offensive coordinator job. It wouldn’t be a shocker to see Trestman’s name come up again, if he were to want that spot. He would bring his pro-system ideology to Miami, but more importantly be a key factor in quarterback development.

Although many really wanted someone like Gruden to have been the guy, including me, he wasn’t going to be in it for the long haul.

Randy Shannon did an excellent job off the field, in aspects like recruiting, academics and good behavior. He started something here in Coral Gables. It’s now Golden’s chance to finish it.