Former Miami Hurricanes HC Al Golden suing for $3 Million
Golden was fired by Miami Hurricanes Athletic Director Blake James on October 25, 2015, the day after a program-worst 58-0 loss to Clemson. The lawsuit is for three million claiming that he is owed for “separation pay” according to TMZ Sports.
Golden spent four and a half years as the Head Coach of the Miami Hurricanes. Miami was 32-25 overall and 17-18 in the ACC during Golden’s tenure.
Golden earned an embarrassingly low $150,000 in base salary at Miami. According to TMZ, Golden was expected to receive “Golden would get MILLIONS from third parties for TV and radio deals.”
Golden has been an Assistant Coach with the Detroit Lions for the last three seasons. He was their tight end coach in 2016-17 and is now coaching linebackers under first-year Head Coach Matt Patricia.
Golden’s deal was loaded with incentives and endorsement according to TMZ. He reportedly made $1.25 million in his first year in 2011 and was expected to make $2.94 million by his ninth year in 2019. Golden could have received millions of dollars more in incentives based on the team’s performance. TMZ reported.
"“Golden would receive a $750k bonus if Miami won the BCS Championship game, $400k for a 2nd place finish, $300k for a non-title BCS bowl game 1st place finish and so on. More bonuses include $25k for 10 regular season wins, $75k for 11 wins and $175k for 12 wins."
Golden also received $5,000 per year from NIKE for Miami’s endorsement deal. Before coaching the Miami Hurricanes Golden was 27-34 in five years at Temple. Golden received several other luxuries from the University of Miami according to TMZ.
"“A luxury car, paid for his membership to the fancy Deering Bay Country Club along with a bunch of UM football tickets and usage of the suite at Sun-Life Stadium.”"
It’s unclear how Golden arrived at the $3 million figure he arrived in the lawsuit. Golden took the job at Miami knowing he would have to navigate the Hurricanes past one of the darkest periods in school history. Miami was put on probation that included the loss of mass scholarships from the Nevin Shapiro scandal.
Christy Cabrera Chirinos of the Sun Sentinel quoted James at the time of Golden’s firing.
"“Al navigated us through the NCAA case. He always represented our institution in a first class manner…Sometimes you have to make that type of decision. It’s very difficult and one that you have to take with great seriousness to it. But it came to the point where I felt it was best for our program.”"
Golden was the arguably the most polarizing coach in Miami history. Banners flew above Hard Rock Stadium calling for his ouster well before the thumping by Clemson the preceded his firing. Even Sports Illustrated called for Golden to be fired following the loss to the Tigers.
Next. Is Mark Richt making same mistakes with Miami at UGA?. dark
The lawsuit is a surprising move by a coach who was fired midseason as Head Coach at one of the most prestigious college football programs to three years later being in his second job as a position coach in the NFL. This could be career suicide if Golden wants to be a Head Coach again.