Miami Hurricanes: Booze, Bad Coaching and Embarrassment From the ‘Canes

By Shanon Culiner | Oct 2, 2015

Living in Los Angeles, California, it’s hard to find other Miami Hurricanes’ fans to watch games with. Most people out here are transplants, looking to make it in Hollywood or they’re individuals who obviously prefer USC or UCLA. Nevertheless, I enter Barney’s Beanery, a historic LA bar that happens to be an official Hurricanes viewing bar.

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I found a booth and sat down alone, eager to get this ‘Canes vs Cincy game underway. There’s about 20 or so other like-minded individuals, wearing their game outfits and ‘Canes colors. One of the organizers was even wearing a white button-down and orange tie. Hello, Al Golden.

My waitress brings me a Coors Light and a Jameson neat and just as I begin to sip on the bourbon, the ‘Canes run out onto the field in their spiffy, new, white uniforms (entitled, “ICE” by Adidas). The bar patrons nearby begin to hoot and holler.

I think to myself, “this should be a fun game, leading into FSU.”

What happens next was far from fun and the word, “embarrassment” radiates in my brain throughout the rest of the game.

Based on many factors, including: NFL prospects, recruiting, talent level, stakes, history, etc., Miami in no way should lose to a Cincinnati Bearcats team on national television.

Hey, football is football and you’re going to lose, I get it. But, it’s also the way one loses that speaks volumes about a team’s DNA. Sure, the score went back and forth a bit and of course, we had players out for portions of the game, but excuses only go so far. And quite frankly, the Miami Hurricanes looked soft from the starting point.

Now intoxicated, on (I think) my 4th Jameson, I can’t believe what I’m witnessing … poor tackling, players watching the ball fly over their head on defense, plays not being made, a lot of confusion, and you know what, it starts and ends with one thing, coaching!

Thoughts fly through my head, including chucking my glass mug across the room (and I’m glad I showed some constraint there).

Oct 1, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats fans rush the field after the Cincinnati Bearcats defeated the Miami Hurricanes at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats won 34-23. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

I know Golden had said something in the past, along the lines of turning the corner and getting this Miami program back on track. However, what really is back on track for Golden? What does Golden think being great is?

From 1988 to 1991, the Penn State team that Golden played tight-end for went, 33-14-1 and the Temple team that Al Golden coached went, 27-34 (over 5 years). Golden was a talented football player and he definitely turned the Temple football program around, but Golden in my humble opinion, just isn’t right for the Miami Hurricanes. It’s a rectangle trying to fit into a circular hole.

Look, Golden seems like a great guy and someone who’d be awesome to grab a beer with. In fact, he would probably be a fun coach to play for, but when it comes to “The U”, clearly, it’s not working out. He’s losing to teams they should beat, hasn’t had that staple win yet, Miami’s record is declining as opposed to getting better each year, and we clearly see his players getting drafted, thus the talent is there.

We can say: Miami started slow against Bethune because it was the first game of the year AND Miami struggled with Florida Atlantic because they didn’t want to unveil too much as we get into the harder portion of the schedule AND Miami blew a 23-point lead against Nebraska because the ‘Huskers are better than people realized… BUT, the loss against Cincinnati proves that sadly, Miami just isn’t a good team and Al Golden and staff have failed to lead them in the right direction.

I personally wouldn’t fly a “Fire Al Golden” banner, but sometimes it’s easy to say, things just aren’t working out for both parties.

I stumbled out of the bar last night in disgust and now I’m suffering even more … the loss stands and now, I’m seeing the words double-up as I’m about to hit “Publish” on this post.

For a list of other 2015 UM Alumni Association Miami Hurricanes Football Game Watch Locations: CLICK HERE.

Next: What I Did After the Hurricanes Loss to Cincinnati

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