Miami Hurricans Football Scandal: Why Al Golden Doesn't Deserve Sympathy

Since the Yahoo! Sports report about the NCAA investigation of the University of Miami, Hurricanes football coach Al Golden has been all over the news. The look on his face is one of dismay and concern.

And after all the work he's done so far since taking over for Randy Shannon after last season, he's probably wondering, "What have I gotten into?"

What makes the matter worse is that Golden has said, and he's very believable, that he knew nothing about the alleged violations before he took the job.

But don't feel sorry for Al Golden!

He'll still be making lots of money and he'll still be coaching football. Which one of us wouldn't want to be Al Golden for one day?

Unless the Hurricanes are given the "Death Penalty," Golden will continue to do what he loves. 

Miami is likely going to be straddled with stiff sanctions by the NCAA. They're likely to be banned from bowl games and lose a significant number of scholarships.

If Golden remains as Miami's coach, and I believe he will, he'll be judged accordingly. He won't be expected to win nine or 10 games a season. He'll just be expected to keep the program going. To keep up the hopes that all things will pass.

But a good coach like Golden is going to look at the next couple of years as a greater challenge than he signed on for, and that's what drives the good coaches.

Don't feel sorry for Al Golden because if he decides he want's out, it will likely be easy. If there was a buyout clause in his contract it has likely become non-applicable because of the NCAA investigation.

I've heard a number of South Florida radio sports personalities say they think it would be fair if Golden left. I think they're dramatically understating what's fair!

If the University of Miami has concealed information about the investigation from Golden when they recruited him, they would have not negotiated in good faith. It would seem that there are damages here and Golden probably has a huge amount of legal recourse.

I also think Golden is lucky that this investigation occurred this year, if it had to occur at all.

Most fans don't know it but the great gambling coaching legend, Eddie Robinson, won 408 games. This represents the most wins for any coach in Division I history. 

Penn State's Joe Paterno enters the season with 401 wins. If his team only performs mediocre, he'll break Robinson's record this year.

It may very well be the reason Paterno decides to retire. 

If Golden wants the Penn State job as much as the media is linking him to it, the NCAA investigation of Miami couldn't come at a better time.

But I believe Golden will remain at Miami. I believe he'll go about his job with the same attitude he would have if the 'Canes were never in trouble with the NCAA.

I also believe most of his 2012 recruits will remain on board. If they have any sense of maturity, they'll understand that having a chance to be around a coach like Golden is worth more than playing in any bowl game.