Miami coach Al Golden continues to be a class act while the NCAA investigates the football program’s connection to former booster Nevin Shapiro.
Golden, hired by the Hurricanes last December, has only recently been made aware of the investigation (or, at least, that’s the story being made public), even the though the NCAA has been sniffing around for five months. The utter thought that no one in the UM administration would take a few minutes and inform Golden of such a potentially disastrous situation is mind-blowing.
Still -- and, again, at least publicly -- Golden is saying all the right things by continuing to preach his loyalty to the program during a very difficult time. When asked after a recent practice if there was a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave Miami without a buyout or penalty, Golden continued his smile-and-nod routine in a circus of which he shouldn’t have been a part.
“I’m not going to get into all that,” said Golden. “Listen, my family and I are excited about being here, OK? This is a great place, and we’re going to get this fixed.”
If the NCAA does come down on Miami with any sanctions, which as we found out recently could be applicable to any violations committed from 2002 onward, Golden should be allowed to look for another job, or be given a 10-year extension to deal with any and all repercussions.
Golden is demonstrating a tremendous amount of loyalty to UM during what could ultimately be its darkest time in decades. So far, the UM administration hasn’t shown that loyalty in return.
The least they can do is reciprocate it going forward.
If there isn’t a penalty-free exit clause in Golden’s contract already, there needs to be one. Not that it would necessarily be used if Golden is as loyal as he says he is, but it’s the thought that counts.
When Miami hired Golden last December, they did so believing he could bring the Hurricanes back to the success to which it had become accustomed. If the NCAA hits UM square in the mouth with a pair of brass knuckles, Golden faces a more difficult challenge getting them back there.
Golden has been giving Miami his best efforts, both as a coach and as a spokesperson. It’s time he got Miami’s best in return.
(Big thanks to the Miami Herald)
