Miami Hurricanes Football: Canes Warning Staff Previews the 2015 Hurricanes Season

Jul 21, 2015; Pinehurst, NC, USA; Miami Hurricanes head coach Al Golden speaks with the media during the ACC football kickoff at Pinehurst Resort. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Do you think Al Golden makes it past this season, or do you think his hot seat status gets a little bit cooler?

Juan Toribio: I think Al Golden is the head coach of the Hurricanes in 2016. I don’t know if that means that his seat gets cooler, but he’ll have a decent enough year that the administration won’t fire him. I think the one thing that he has going for him is the recruiting class he’s put together for the class of 2016. If that class stays together, it’ll be hard to fire the coach that recruited them to Miami. If Miami has an average season and the recruiting class starts crumbling, then Golden is in a lot of trouble.

Harry Kroll: I don’t think Al Golden’s seat is quite as hot as everyone seems to think. Miami (as the school publicly loves to say) is far more cash-strapped than most athletic departments in today’s day and age. If this year’s team can get to even seven wins, I have a very difficult time seeing Al Golden being shown the door. Obviously, that wouldn’t make the fans particularly happy, but that seems to be UM football’s reality right now. So yes, I think Al Golden survives the season, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be a great one.

Daniel Gould: I do think he [Golden] makes it through this year. The two biggest reasons are the talent and depth at DL (NT, DT, DE) and Edge (Rush End, SLB), and the development of Brad Kaaya. This is by far the most talent and deep defensive front that Golden has had at Miami. Having fresh, talented players to rotate in should be a big boost for the defense. Last year Kaaya’s performance was very impressive for parts of the season, but he struggled a good amount towards the end of the season. It doesn’t sound like that will be the case this year.

Shanon Culiner: I think Al Golden’s “Hot Seat” cools down to lukewarm. The schedule Miami plays in the 2015 season may just be one of the toughest in the nation. So, I highly doubt Miami is expected to make a run to the college football playoffs. However, I feel the defense will be much improved, Kaaya and company should be solid, our record should improve from last year and his recruiting will be the knot that ties him into next year.

Daniel Nordwall: Al Golden must win the Coastal Division in order to cool off his hot seat this season. Although, Miami faces a tough schedule in the back half of the season. Yet, there is no reason for Miami not to contend with Brad Kaaya commanding the offense. Al Golden has blemished against good opponents in his career. He must start winning the tough games against ranked opponents (Nebraska, Clemson, Georgia Tech, Florida State) this season. He needs to win at least 8 games to retain his job.

Sam Jacobs: Golden probably needs to win at least eight games to earn another season in Miami. I don’t see that happening. This schedule is complete with a bunch of toss-up games, and I’d really be surprised if the ‘Canes pulled off a job-saving season for Golden. Increased pressure from the fan base will probably help push him out of the door, too.

Justin Fessenden: I think Al Golden does in fact make it past this season, however, his hot seat won’t cool off completely. I think the Canes win total will be right at the acceptable/unacceptable line and Golden will be given yet another chance.

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