Al Golden: ‘Miami entering a phase where Hurricanes can thrive and recruit’

Al Golden hasn’t had it easy during his three-year tenure with the Miami Hurricanes after he inherited a team that would be hurt by NCAA sanctions and scholarship reductions, but all that is in the rear-view mirror for Golden and the ‘Canes.

Golden, who interviewed for the vacant Penn State Nittany Lions job this offseason, is focused on building on the nine-win season in 2013 and taking Miami back to the point of prominence die-hard Miami fans are used to, according to Raising Canes via Coaching Search.

"“We really feel like now we are moving from a phase that we were just trying to survive and stabilize to now we are entering a phase where we can thrive and we can go recruit. I can’t tell you how refreshing it’s been to be able to go out and talk about what a great place the University of Miami is, and talk about our campus, our tradition, our world renowned academics, and talk about what we can afford young people that really, very few places in the world of college athletics can. That’s what’s been missing for the better part of two-and-a-half years. It’s great to be back talking about The U.”"

With the No. 12 recruiting class signed for the class of 2014, Golden may be right and this program could be ready to thrive and dominate on the recruiting trail without the dark cloud of the NCAA sanctions hanging over them.

Golden is 22-15 in his first three years at Miami with a 13-11 record in the ACC. Miami was eligible for their first bowl in the Golden era this year and lost to the Louisville Cardinals in the Russell Athletic Bowl.