Miami Makes It Official, Names Al Golden New Head Coach

Al Golden Officially Tabbed As Miami's New Head Coach

Miami's two-week search for a new head football coach officially ended Sunday night, when the university's Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt announced the hiring of Al Golden. 

Golden, the program's 22nd head coach, comes to Miami from Temple, where he spent five years coaching and completely rebuilding the Owls' football team. While he's leaving with an overall record of just 27-34 (including an 1-11 debut season), Golden managed to guide Temple to two winning seasons (2009-10); before his arrival, the Owls had just two winnings seasons since 1980.

"From the beginning of this process, one candidate stood above the rest as the right fit for the University of Miami," said Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. "We are proud to welcome Al Golden to The U. His desire, leadership, communications skills and preparedness stood above the rest and he is the right man to meet the championship expectations of this program."

Golden attended Penn State, where he played tight end from 1987-1991 (and also produced the most 1991-workout video you'll ever see). 

The Hurricanes will officially introduce Golden during a press conference at 6 p.m. EST on Monday. There is a live stream via HurricaneSports.com hosted at our Miami blog, The 7th Floor.

Report: Miami Hires Temple's Al Golden As Head Coach

After a two-week search, it appears that the Miami Hurricanes have found their next head coach.

ESPN's Bruce Feldman tweets that Temple head coach Al Golden is the choice.

Temple’s Al Golden has been offered and accepted the Miami coaching job, a source confirmed. The deal has not been finalized yet.

That last bit gives Miami (and Feldman) a bit of wiggle room, but Golden to Coral Gables has been long rumored as a possibility, and the move makes sense with Golden on the way up and Miami looking to avoid more mediocrity.

Golden's just 27-34 as Temple's head coach, but that record improves substantially since Temple joined the Mid-American Conference in 2007: Golden's Owls have been 26-23 since then, and were 9-4 and MAC champions in 2009 and 8-4 this year with a win over BCS participant Connecticut.

Golden's often been tabbed as a hot coaching candidate, and it has been assumed that his Penn State ties — he was a Nittany Lion tight end from 1987 to 1991 — would make him a candidate to replace Joe Paterno in State College. For the Hurricanes to grab him now shows a lot of confidence in his ability to make mid-major success translate into wins at a BCS school.

Miami Head Coaching Rumors Have Everyone Asking 'Who The Heck Is Marc Trestman?'

There’s been a lot of big names bandied about for the Miami Hurricanes head coaching position. A lot of marquee names that Mr. and Mrs. Joe Q America are well-aware of. Jon Gruden, Tommy Tuberville, Randy Edsall, perpetual “next-big-thing” Al Golden…

And then there’s Marc Trestman, who seems to have emerged as a bit of a front-runner for the position. Which begs the question…who the heck is Marc Trestman?

Trestman is a former Minnesota Golden Gopher QB who began his coaching career at a little place called the University of Miami in 1981. He quickly worked his way up to QB coach in 1983 where he oversaw Bernie Koser’s rise to glory. Trestman also earned a law degree from UM while there.

From there, Trestman bounced around the NFL for the next twenty years between eight teams. In 1989 he became offensive coordinator for the first time, working for the Cleveland Browns. In 2004, he was named assistant head coach of the Miami Dolphins. (It’s worth noting that, for whatever reason, Trestman has never stayed with the same team for longer than three years).

In ’05, he briefly returned to the college ranks to oversee the NC State offense but by ’06 the head-coaching bug had taken hold and Trestman was off to greener pastures to become the head man.

Well, not-so-much greener. Since 2008, Marc has been the head man of the Montreal Alouettes of the CFL. All he’s done since being there is take the team to three Grey Cups in three years, winning the last two. He’s quickly turned into the Canadian Bill Belichick and many, including Tony Dungy, have been signing his praises ever since.

Miami was listening. UM AD Kirby Hocutt traveled to North Carolina on Saturday to meet with Trestman and now the rumor-mill is lit up with word that he’s earned himself the job.

That remains to be seen but if so, UM better hope he works out. As good as Trestman might be, he’s “the guy from the CFL” until he proves otherwise.

Randy Edsall, Al Golden, Marc Trestman Latest Names Floated In 'Canes Coaching Search

According to the Miami Herald, the search to replace Randy Shannon as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes has moved past such candidates as Jon Gruden and Bo Pelini and onto three new faces: Al Golden, Randy Edsall, and Marc Trestman. The paper's sources indicate a decision is expected within the week.

If Golden isn't considered the frontrunner out of this group, he ought to be. The guy won at Temple. TEMPLE. He's also got ACC bones, with previous coordinating and assistant experience at Virginia and Boston College. (Did we mention he put together a winning program at Temple?)

Edsall has overcome all manner of off-field trauma to band his boys together, win the Big East by the skin of their teeth, and snag a BCS bowl bid, but our own UConn blog is eager to break up with him before he breaks up with them.

The third candidate, Marc Trestman, has had great success in the CFL thanks largely to the Frenchy spelling of his first name. He's led the Montreal Alouettes to three straight Grey Cups, winning the last two. And he's also a Miami guy from way, way back, having served as a position coach in the early 1980s and spent a year with the Dolphins in '04.

For all the lastest rumors and rants regarding this coaching search, visit SB Nation's The 7th Floor.

Bo Pelini, Tommy Tuberville Reportedly Out Of Contention For Miami Job

We're being denied the prospect of Football Four Loko in Miami, at least "officially." (We're also quite aware of what it looks like, putting "officially" in scare quotes, but this is a college football coaching search and there's no such thing as ruling a candidate out for good until the actual successor signs a contract and reports to campus.) Bo Pelini is denying (albeit in very careful language) that he's after Randy Shannon's old job at Miami, and his AD is backing him up. Here's Pelini, via the Sun-Sentinel:

The reports that I am preparing to interview at the University of Miami are false. I will not have any additional comment on this matter or any other rumors.

YES HE'S NOT PREPARING BECAUSE HE CLEARLY ALREADY CAME PREPARED, PAAAAOWL. Finebaum's territory does not stretch into Miami, but if it did, this is what you'd be hearing. Here's Tom Osborne:

Bo has done an excellent job of leading our football program at Nebraska over the past three years. We’re looking forward to having Bo and our coaching staff lead our team in the Holiday Bowl and as we transition into the Big Ten next year.

And just in case anyone was interested, the Double-T is staying at the Double-T: Tommy Tuberville would like everyone to know that while he is a real catch and any program would be happy to squire such a prize about town, he won't be pursuing the 'Canes job himself (anymore (starting now). We're sure this news will please his legendarily easygoing overlords in Lubbock.

HT: SB Nation Kansas City.

Bo Pelini To Leave Nebraska For Miami?

The pendulum in the case of Randy Shannon's replacement at Miami has swung from Jon Gruden being hired any minute, to Mike Leach (and the Donald) shilling for himself, to Bo Pelini maybe or maybe not throwing his hat in the ring, which may or may not have been a sanctioned act by the University of Nebraska:

Nebraska coach Bo Pelini has spoken to University of Miami Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt about the Hurricanes' coaching job but has not been offered it, two people with knowledge of the search told the Sun Sentinel on Thursday.

"He is in the mix," one of the sources said.

Nebraska athletic director Tom Osborne denied giving permission to Pelini to speak to UM.

"Bo's never talked to me about anything like that," Osborne told the Lincoln Journal Star. "If he got permission, he didn't get it from me."

Corn Nation sounds nearly as exasperated as Osborne with this latest rumor, but color the 7th Floor intrigued. We talked with our lead Miami Hurricanes blogger, who thinks this could be, at the very least, an entertaining spectacle worthy of the clime:

Pelini is a name I'd actually be pretty excited about, if only because finally, I can actually hope to vicariously live out my fantasy of breaking Jacory Harris in half with my bare hands. If he thought Taylor Martinez was annoying, wait until someone throws 11 picks a game.

Alternately, I appreciate the thrill of our coach possibly erupting out of his own body on the sidelines as our program teeters on the brink of destruction. If that isn't a metaphor for the entire city, I don't know what is. It'd be like football Four Loko.

For our part, we're not quite sure how this would work, but that may be because we can't mentally separate Pelini from Tim Blake Nelson and the Coen Brothers have never set a film in the Orange Bowl.

ESPN Still Expects Jon Gruden To Return To Monday Night Football

Heard all the rumors that Jon Gruden is going to be named the new head coach of the Miami Hurricanes as soon as tomorrow? (It’s always the day after you hear the rumors; on Sunday, it was Monday, and on Thursday, it will be Friday.)

Well, ESPN isn’t buying all the talk. In fact, ESPN executive VP Norby Williamson said he “absolutely” expects to continue hearing Gruden talking about football players making football plays on Monday Night Football.

“My feeling is Jon is in Year 2 of a long-term contract, and we expect Jon to be on ‘Monday Night Football’ doing what he’s been doing for a long time to come,” Williamson said on a conference call about ESPN’s baseball announcers.

That would seem to be at odds with the rampant speculation that Gruden approached Miami, instead of the other way around, and that he is set to bolt from Bristol any minute now. Granted, Williamson is at least on the record and has his name attached to the statement. But the guy with the only name that matters in the end — Jon Gruden — is still being coy.

Jon Gruden To Miami Hurricanes? Meeting With AD Reportedly Set For Wednesday

The Jon Gruden to the Miami Hurricanes rumors continue and multiple reports are indicating there is a level of interest fro both sides despite Gruden's non-denial denial through an ESPN statement earlier this week. The Miami Herald is the latest in a line of reports that says says Gruden and the Miami AD will be meeting this week to determine the interest on both ends.

New Sources Claim That Jon Gruden Will Be The Next Head Coach At Miami

South Florida Sun Sentinel reporter Steve Gorten has claimed that two separate sources have confirmed that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden will be the next head coach at the University of Miami. According to Gorten, Gruden and Miami athletic directer Kirby Hocutt are meeting Tuesday night or Wednesday to finalize the details of the contract.  

Gruden had been rumored to be making progress towards taking the position on Sunday night, but the current Monday Night Football broadcaster quickly shot down the whispers:

From Jon Gruden: "I am committed to Monday Night Football and to ESPN. I enjoy working w/ Mike, Jaws and our entire crew and am just trying to get better at this job.

Like we so often hear these days, Gruden's denial didn't exactly say that he wasn't negotiating with the Hurricanes, and if he ends up taking the job in the next few days it will be just another example of a coaching prospect trying to buy a little time while a contract gets finalized. 

Jon Gruden To Miami Rumor Addressed Through ESPN Statement

It's easy to forget that Jon Gruden isn't just a Super Bowl-winning coach. (Well, it is if you watch Monday Night Football on mute.) But ESPN is helping Gruden, who works for the network as an NFL analyst, addressed rumors that he will be Miami's next coach.

From ESPN PR person Josh Krulewitz, on Twitter:

From Jon Gruden: "I am committed to Monday Night Football and to ESPN. I enjoy working w/ Mike, Jaws and our entire crew and am just trying to get better at this job.

Of course, that's not exactly a denial of interest; it's more accurately read as "I'm still doing the job I have." And Gruden parlayed rumors of a jump back to coaching — last year, he was frequently linked with vacancies at Notre Dame and Tennessee — into a contract extension with ESPN in 2009. It would be less than surprising if Gruden did the same thing again this year.

At this point, though, it would also not be a surprise for Gruden to announce on Monday Night Football that he would be leaving to coach Miami after the broadcast. That's how overheated the discussion about Gruden to Miami has gotten.

Then again, were I Gruden, and were I leaving, I would do so before tomorrow night: I don't really want to sit through a Cardinals-49ers matchup if I don't have to.

Jon Gruden: Miami's Next Coach? Rumors Heating Up

We're still probably at least a day away from knowing anything concrete about who the University of Miami will hire to replace Randy Shannon. But the chatter about Jon Gruden being that person is definitely intensifying.

The fire's getting stoked by some fairly reputable folks, too. Dan Le Batard sounds like he's been talking to some highly-placed Miami officials, and it sounds like he's hearing about a push to bring the Super Bowl-winning coach to Coral Gables:

I'm stunned by the number of high-up UM people who think they can afford and get Gruden

Our own The 7th Floor has been hearing some things, too.

Okay, we *hear* it's $3.2, done, and headed to the BOT. Have good reason to believe that's accurate, but the usual disclaimers apply.

But they're quick to caution that they might be wrong, and say things won't get done with Gruden until Tuesday. Want more from them? Follow along in their aptly named "Jon Gruden Madness Thread."

Meanwhile, NFL writer Peter King of Sports Illustrated is emphatic that Gruden won't be taking his talents to the school near South Beach:

Jon Gruden is not going to the University of Miami. Period.

But when pressed on how he knew, King wouldn't reveal more.

So, in sum, it definitely sounds like Jon Gruden might be the next coach at Miami. But no one knows for certain.

Randy Shannon Fired: Will Jon Gruden Replace Him?

If Miami wants to replace Randy Shannon with someone who is diametrically opposed to his calm temperament, Jon Gruden wouldn't be a bad choice. But might the ESPN analyst actually be the guy in Miami?

That's what radio personality Lake Lewis is touting on Twitter at the moment, despite misspelling Gruden's first name:

Just got word from a credible source that the next coach at University of Miami is John Gruden. About 3 Million a year!

And Lewis claims his sourcing is sound, too:

My scoop on Gruden to UM is from a credible source I respect who is a former ESPN radio guy and also another scoop is a UM great. No lies here...

It's possible Lewis could have been misled. It's possible Miami's plans could change. It's possible that Miami could hire Gruden, who hasn't coached since being fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after the 2008 season.

But it seems far too early for Miami to have a replacement for Shannon set in stone. He was fired less than 18 hours ago, and if Miami is going to have a comprehensive national search for a new coach, it will likely last much longer than that.

Randy Shannon Fired: Miami Players And Fans React

With news of a head coach’s firing comes a broad spectrum of reactions. From sheer joy and elation to sadness, a head coach in turmoil can be a polarizing issue for fans. The same can be said about Randy Shannon’s departure from Miami. On one hand, Shannon held a record over .500. On the other, Miami fell off the national radar and has yet to bring the swagger back.

SB Nation’s Seventh Floor Blog passed along word of Shannon’s firing earlier today and gave thanks to the former head coach for his years of service.

He may not have been head coach material, but he has given a quarter-century of his life to Miami as a player, assistant, coordinator, and head coach, and it’s unfortunate things didn’t work out. Thanks for doing your best, Coach.

Seventh Floor’s reaction seems to be the prevailing sentiment in the Miami fanbase. A good man, a humble servant to the Hurricanes, but not a head coach.

Players were reportedly shocked by Shannon’s firing just hours after Saturday’s heartbreaking, overtime loss to South Florida. Lineback Jordan Futch reacted with shock when informed of the news on Saturday night.

``I thought Coach Shannon did a heck of a job. I felt he was the best man for the job. He knows us best. He recruited us. He’s a great guy in all aspects of the word — from football coach to father figure to best friend.

``We have so much talent. We shouldn’t have lost. I think we play to our competition’s level. I’m in total shock.’’

Offensive line coach Jeff Southland will reportedly take over as interim head coach while a coaching search gets underway. Miami closed out the regular season and is awaiting a bowl invitation in the meantime.

Randy Shannon Fired: Who Will Replace Him At Miami?

With Randy Shannon out at Miami, the attention turns to the coaching search. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt clearly wants to make a splash while finding a coach to return the Hurricanes to glory. Who will the next head coach be? Time to take some guesses.

Mike Leach: The pirate wants to get back into coaching, and has said as much, but still has to overcome the stigma attached to his name. With a lawsuit against ESPN pending, Leach is trying to clear his name while lobbying for another shot at a head coaching job. Luther Campbell already took to Twitter to give Leach a ringing endorsement, so he's got that going for him.

Mark Richt: The Georgia head coach hit a rough patch this season and currently sits at 6-6. As a former Miami quarterback, Richt has ties to the university already. The honeymoon is over in Athens and Miami could provide an easy escape route for Richt following a disappointing season.

Gus Malzahn: The offensive coordinator at Auburn has plenty of buzz surrounding his name and is a prime offensive coordinator turned head coach candidate. If there is fire to go along with the smoke surrounding the Cam Newton investigation, the time may be right for Malzahn to make the jump. Even if there's no fire, a head coaching job at a storied program like Miami would be tough to turn down.

Chris Petersen: Another year, another round of coaching rumors for the Boise State head coach. Petersen's name always seems to come up as a candidate for any major opening, so why not Miami. The Broncos seem destined to be a big fish in a small pond, even with the impending move to the MWC. If Peterson is looking for a step up in competition, Miami would be it.

There is one final head coaching candidate. Mere minutes after Shannon's firing was announced, an industrious Twitter user put Photoshop to work in an effort to lobby for an unlikely candidate.

Let Luke coach, indeed.

Randy Shannon Fired: Jeff Southland Reportedly Named Interim Head Coach

The University of Miami confirmed head coach Randy Shannon has been fired in a statement to the press Saturday night. Athletic directory Kirby Hocutt released a statement, making it clear he expects Miami to be in contention for the national title on a consistent basis. Shannon’s firing is effective immediately and a coaching search will begin as soon as possible.

"We have made a decision to seek new leadership for our football program," Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt said in a statement from the school. "Our expectations are to compete for championships and return to the top of the college football world. We will immediately begin a national search."

According to ESPN, offensive line coach Jeff Southland will be named interim head coach while the search is underway. The news will be made official at a press conference tomorrow at 1 p.m. local time. Players were also told to gather for a team meeting shortly before the press conference, likely to be told of the news.

At 7-5, the Hurricanes are bowl eligible. Miami finished the regular season with a disappointing 23-20 overtime loss to South Florida on Saturday. It’s unclear whether a new head coach will be found in time, or if Southland will coach the bowl Miami ends up in.

Randy Shannon Fired As Miami Coach

Shortly after CaneSports reported Randy Shannon had been fired as head coach of the Miami Hurricanes, confirmation is coming from all angles. Associated Press reporter Tim Reynolds tweeted that Shannon has indeed been fired and that it was athletic director Kirby Hocutt's decision. According to Reynolds, the rumors of a summit between Donna Shalala and advisers close to the program never happened.

After multiple outlets confirmed the news, citing sources close to the athletic department, Miami confirmed the news to reporters itself, making Shannon's firing official. Pete Thamel, of the New York Times. passed along the word out of Coral Gables on Twitter.

And so ends the Shannon tenure in Miami. In four years, Shannon lead the Hurricanes to a 28-22 record and two both appearances, losses in both the Emerald Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl. The Hurricanes are bowl eligible this year, at 7-5, and are currently second in the ACC's Coastal Division. There's been no word on possible replacements or who will coach Miami's Bowl game.

Keep an eye on our StoryStream for the latest on possible replacements and news out of Miami.

Report: Randy Shannon Fired As Miami Coach

CaneSport.com, the Miami affiliated Rivals site, is reporting Miami head coach Randy Shannon has been fired. The report follows rumors of a late-night meeting in Miami between president Donna Shalala and advisors to determine the future of the football program and Shannon.

Citing multiple sources, CaneSport said word that Shannon was ousted was slowly spreading in Coral Gables and that players were upset with the decision.

Word of the decision began filtering through players and coaches in the mid-evening hours that followed the stunning overtime loss to South Florida on Saturday.

Players were said to be very upset, feeling that they let Shannon down.

The Hurricanes finished the regular season at 7-5 after a 23-20 overtime loss to South Florida at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday. Shannon has compiled a 28-22 record, including a 16-16 mark in the ACC in four years as head coach of the Hurricanes.

More on the situation as it develops. Check out our StoryStream on Shannon and the Hurricanes for the latest updates.

Report: Miami President Calls Late-Night Meeting On Randy Shannon's Future

It appears that Randy Shannon could be headed out at Miami after a 7-5 season in Coral Gables this year. UM President Donna Shalala is reportedly huddling with advisers tonight to determine what to do about Shannon, who has grown unpopular with fans four seasons after replacing Larry Coker.

Shalala had been one of Shannon's staunchest supporters before Saturday's three-point loss to South Florida, and Herald beat reporter Manny Navarro tweeted that she was originally ready to give Shannon another year before that defeat.

Offensive coordinator Mark Whipple is the likely interim coach if Miami is to make a change.

Of course, that might still be in doubt: ESPN's Bruce Feldman tweets that reports of a Shalala summit tonight are "false." And Feldman is one of the college football world's more reliable sources.

In any case, be sure to keep an eye on this stream and on our Miami blog, The 7th Floor, for more on this developing story.