University of Miami and New Allegations...The Fallout

Let me start by saying as a University of Miami Hurricane fan, my heart breaks. It breaks for new Head Coach Al Golden, who stepped away from a blossoming program at Temple to lead the new era for the U, it breaks for his new coaching staff who also came to Miami thinking they would usher in the new winning era for the team, and it breaks for those kids not involved in this. This is a disgusting display of an out of control booster, wrongdoing by coaches, and most importantly, administrators at the University.

I won't re-hash the allegations against Miami - you can read all the gory details here, as uncovered by Senior Investigative Reporter for Yahoo! Sports, Charles Robinson. It's so bad you want to look away. This very well could be the end for the Hurricanes football program. There are so many players and coaches involved in this thing, it wouldn't shock me to see the death penalty a la SMU. In my opinion, though, I think what happens to the U will be worse than death. I see a sentence far worse than what we see at USC and Ohio State, or any other school dealing with major NCAA infractions. It will be close to the brink, so much so, that they will be unable to recruit, unable to retain, and unable to reestablish. A fate, in my opinion, worse than death for the once great program.

Quite frankly, I'm at a total loss for words when it comes to the University of Miami administration's actions...especially those of UM President Donna Shalala. The administration KNEW that Nevin Shapiro had been illicitly involved with UM student-athletes. They knew that he was not a standup guy (altercations with the head of Compliance?! How was this not investigated?!) and knew of his transgressions...for over a year. How dare this program not tell Al Golden and his staff? It blows my mind.

The only statement UM can muster? "As stated this morning, the University of Miami takes any allegations seriously and will continue to cooperate fully in a joint investigation with the NCAA." Oh, so NOW you cooperate. Sounds good, Miami. This morning, more news comes pouring out from Shapiro's lawyer, stating that now former football head coaches Randy Shannon and Larry Coker were involved and knew full well of Shapiro's activity from 2002-2010. How is this man, currently incarcerated for being a crook and criminal, doing this? How could UM not have said "perhaps we should keep this guy away from our kids?" How could an administration knowingly not take action. There is so much wrong here, so many people wrong. To see guys that I respected as men and players on "the list" of those who interacted with him - Frank Gore, Willis McGahee, Jonathan Vilma, Devin Hester, Sean Spence, Kellen Winslow, Jr, etc... is a brutal reality that this happened...and that it continued to happen and affects players currently on the roster (ie: Jacory Harris, Ray Ray Armstrong, et. al.). Unbelievable.

The University of Miami administration needs to step up and get in front of microphones and cameras and talk. This responsibility should not fall on Al Golden. Period. End of story. In his presser this morning, Golden showed grace and class in this whirlwind of chaos and said "How did this guy, if he did, how did he get around our players like that? Me, as a head coach, wants to know." You're damn right he wants to know, and deserves to know what the hell kind of mess he just walked into.

What now? What about the kids who have been sold on Coach Golden and his staff...the new "Golden Era" at UM? It's reality check time. It won't exist. Al Golden was the future of this program, and because of past actions and disgusting behavior from previous coaches, administrators, and players, it is ruined. When I became a UM fan, I learned of the "U Family." My boyfriend of 4 years grew up in the Orange Bowl. He grew up loving guys like Ken Dorsey. He held the winning ideology of the program to his heart and he learned toughness from watching players like Devin Hester, Willis McGahee, and Frank Gore. Where are they at a time like this? As he said, "Some U family this is." He's beside himself. He has been a fan since he was a small boy, a lover of the orange and green, though the good and the bad. He truly loves Miami. He feels cheated, slighted, and is without words. You know what? He's right and he's justified in this feeling. Where is the U Family? Why aren't we working together as a family to prop each other up? This is beyond sad...it's heartbreaking.

I fear that we will soon learn more and become inundated with "Thug U" all over again. It's like a flashback, but worse this time around. There are more than just Miami players and coaches involved, here, and I'm sure they will be feeling the pressure soon (word is Clint Hurtt is already in deep). I'll be keeping my eye on this story and updating as I can...I'm sure it will be in our faces for some time.

Below is Coach Golden's presser this morning. Classy, tasteful, strong.



Until next time...
S.

Rebuilding is Not an Excuse

What does it mean when someone says "it's ok, they're just rebuilding"? Rebuilding...rebuilding what? Come on. Like that's an excuse to be awful?? We've seen it a million times - Notre Dame, Michigan, Miami, Nebraska, Florida State, the list goes on and on.

So, as I had a conversation with Ryan again today, we talked about a particular tweet that the University of Colorado's athletic department put out regarding the Buffs' tough schedule for 2011-12. Let's see here...Oregon (Homecoming, naturally), USC, Stanford, Cal, Arizona, UCLA, Arizona State, Utah, and Ohio State (thank goodness they're depleted on the player side or we'd be really sunk). Hm, let me see how this will play out...I'll save you the anticipation, it won't end well. Why? Because we're "rebuilding." Come on. Excuses. Basically, new head coach Jon Embree had better sack up and deal with the talent he has on the field and make some good play calls. In the meantime, the name of the game is recruiting. Go, Embree, go! Now's the time to capitalize on those pipelines in California and Texas. Recruit like there's no tomorrow...just don't break any NCAA rules (please). I'd like nothing more than to cheer LOUDLY for my alma matter in public places and to wear my Buffs Football shirt with pride, but for now I will continue with slow, cautious optimism until they actually start winning games. After all, it's not intramurals, right Dan Hawkins?

I know, my UM fascination I have continues on. They're in a similar situation as CU, though. Once at the apex of the college football world, they fell, and fast. It's been a rough uphill climb since the tumble after their last National Championship win in 2001. There were a few tumultuous years under Randy Shannon (who, by the way, deserves credit for really helping to impress the importance of academics and good behavior) with a few good moments, but a lot more ugly ones. Now that Al Golden is head coach, we'll see what happens, but I stick to my bottom line: it's all about recruiting. In a state like Florida where the talent is so rich, UM has to compete with UF, FSU, UCF, USF, and a myriad of smaller schools just to get guys on their field. It may seem counter-intuitive, but it makes it harder to recruit. Lots of competition for just a few guys. Without big-time players, how do you make the big-time wins? Can't exactly blame it on "rebuilding" now can you? So, Al Golden, usher us in to the new "Golden Era" of Miami football. Starting with the division title is a good place to begin.

Notre Dame has one of the richest traditions in collegiate football...the tradition of winning. Similar to UM, Notre Dame was a power house for years before their downfall and the even worse years under Charlie Weis. We heard the stories "Charlie Weis will save ND football!" False. Charlie Weis, for the offensive genius he was touted to be, dragged ND nation through hell. Rough couple of years there, eh? This year they have one of the strongest recruiting classes and are poised to sit atop the polls. We'll see what happens come August, but I feel good for ND. Granted, they haven't been without controversy (and tragedy) under new coach Brian Kelley who kept his job after the inexcusable and tragic death of a student, but they soldier on. We'll see what becomes of them, but again I stand by my view that rebuilding is not an excuse. Kelly recruited hard after just one year in the program, and now ND sits in the pre-season top 25 polls. My point is made.

(Hey CU...recruit hard, that's what I'm trying to say. Then maybe, just maybe, we can hit up a bowl game!)

Michigan sits in the same position. Another school with a storied legacy to uphold yet has had years of turmoil. Many blame (now) former coach Rich Rodriguez. Rich Rod, the charismatic coach with the spread offense who did no wrong at West Virginia had made every possible wrong decision at every possible turn at Michigan. So, as the Wolverines attempt to forget the Rich Rod era, they are hopeful that Brady Hoke is their man. For his sake, I hope he can lead UMich to a win over Ohio State and Michigan State....Rich Rod never could. It's all about recruiting now, and it's in Hoke's hands to turn the talent he can score into real results on the field.

I know, you all are shaking your heads, "but Sara, rebuilding and recruiting go hand in hand." YES...to an extent. An exciting, young, up-and-coming coach can recruit...but then again so can Joe Paterno. Just sayin'. Rebuilding a program from ruins is tough, no doubt, but should it be used as an excuse for not producing on the field? In my opinion, no. At the end of the day, are there any excuses for a crappy game on the field? I bet you if you poll head coaches, the majority say absolutely not. It's a cycle that rises and falls...no one school can be a powerhouse forever.

So, go Buffs, fight down that field...to at least 6 wins this season...please. Oh, and Michigan, Miami, Notre Dame, and all the other programs who are fighting to re-establish themselves can join you, too.