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Inside the Fire Al Golden Movement

Al Golden has the Miami Hurricanes are 3-0, but you couldn’t tell from the reactions of the Miami faithful.

A gimme game against Bethune-Cookman, a rude awakening against Florida Atlantic, and a near death choke job against Nebraska hasn’t made Golden’s seat any cooler down in South Beach. Fans and alumni have been calling for his head since the start of the season, but there is one contingent that has been flying the banner for quite some time.

Starting around the end of last year’s disappointing 6-7 season, a movement has started and has gained momentum through use of social media to #FireAlGolden.

Inside the Fire Al Golden Movement

The group has no official name. Its leader(s) nameless. But after scouring the web, I was able to locate a member of the movement who was willing to talk about the origins of the movement and its feelings towards coach Golden and the state of the U’s program.

With connections to the University that were not allowed to be posted here, we go one-on-one with one of the groups more outspoken members. You are about to go inside, and witness for yourself the passion, dedication, and near zealotry that echoes in the heart of every college football fan in America.

INSIDE THE #FIREALGOLDEN MOVEMENT

How did the banner idea come about, and has support grown since you’ve started?

We’ve done it before so I’m not sure who came up with the idea. And yes, more people contribute each time which is what we want. We don’t want just a few contributors.

Last year we “toned it down” to let “the year play out.” We’re not doing that this year. You saw in the first half of the Nebraska game the type of talent we have and what our players are capable of. The fourth quarter showed what our coaches are capable of.

 Are you a lone-wolf in this or part of a bigger group?

There is not one person doing this. There are a lot of people behind it, a great majority who are season ticket holders, as well as recent and current Golden Canes.

There have been at least 60 people who have contributed, anywhere between $50-$500 dollars; there are a couple who can fund a whole air force if they wanted.

But one thing we all have in common – we want championships. Nothing less.

So what is your role in the group; head man, organizer?

[laughs] Not the head man, not an organizer either. We’re all pretty involved with what, when, and where. The FSU banner last year was my creation-at least the wording was, so I’ll take credit for that.

Is the pilot in on it?

No, he’s just contracted out.

What has been the reception from other ticket holders and fans? Growing up a Hurricanes fan in South Carolina, I can only imagine that the frustration is mutual down there.

The fans in name only or those who are trying to endear themselves to the university are opposed to it for various reasons.

The media hates it because they apparently have a monopoly on public opinion. We are a decent sized group of fans who want better, saw what happened last year and have had enough.

A couple of us have had some of the other Hurricane fan groups threaten us; empty threats of course [laughs]. I’ve had a couple of social justice warrior types who think they can teach someone a lesson by trying to ruin their lives. Won’t happen with me though.

So say Al Golden turns it around; granted we’re 3-0 but it’s an ugly 3-0 with a good chance to be 4-0 headed into the Florida State game. If this isn’t a fluke, and the talent on the field shows itself in the win/loss column, then what?

Put this into perspective; Al Golden was celebrating the Nebraska win in the locker room after blowing a 23 point lead. Celebrating against a team who had won nine or more games the past 10 years (his words, not factual). The same Nebraska team that FIRED their coach after seven years of winning nine games or more EVERY season.

Nebraska says nine wins means NOTHING. Golden makes it out like we’re world beaters. After BLOWING a 23 point lead. Its insanity.

Golden is who he is. A good guy who should have stayed in the mid-majors who might coach you to a nine win season every few years.

Here’s the kicker; he’s never fired an assistant his entire coaching career. Never. Which means he views every decision he makes as being correct. Not a good quality.

Keep this in mind; we don’t forget about Golden going incognito during the offseason and courting Penn State, only to not get offered. We don’t forget him saying Miami was a dream job only to say a couple of years later it was a job nobody wanted. We don’t forget him labeling guys who were giving their all “me” guys to excuse his failures. Same thing he was saying last year about guys “buying in” and unity is being said this year.

Have you seen Golden’s press conference after the Nebraska game? He talked about how they won as a team and no one person had to make a play…except Corn Elder made a play to win the game. Emphasizing team over individual accomplishments chases away five star difference makers. A “team” won’t get their momma a new house.

Who would you like to see replace Golden?

The consensus with the group is Butch [Davis]. He’s available, wants the job, and would probably fit financially. He’s got something to prove and was the architect of one of the greatest ‘Canes teams of all time.

If Butch walks into your living room, you know you’ve got a very good chance of getting to the NFL. He’s got the history to prove it.

Why do you think the administration has held onto Golden for so long?

I’ve heard a few things. Can’t really say though.

You really want a kicker though? Look at [Randy] Shannon’s record at the same time in Shannon’s fourth year. The decision to fire Randy was made when we were 7-4; same exact overall record as Golden.

That’s an interesting point. Speaking of which, do you think keeping Shannon would have changed the outcome of the program?

I’ve met and talked with him [Shannon] many times. A GREAT guy, but he wasn’t fit for a top tier program. Had he been kept, I don’t see things improving. But he wouldn’t have gone 6-7 with last year’s team.

Do you think he will get fired before the season ends?

If he loses the team again like he did last year, yes. That’s what’s so frustrating. He could’ve salvaged the season after the second half collapse against Florida State last year. There was no reason we should have lost to Virginia, Pittsburgh, and South Carolina the way we did.

What would it take for you and everyone to get behind Golden? Is it even possible at this point?

An ACC championship and a decent bowl win. Let me tell you, we have a terrible schedule. If he loses four or more with the opponents we face, he’s out.

The season so far is a bust. We are barely 1-0. We won a game we very well could have lost, and that’s it. Bethune-Cookman and Florida Atlantic are throw away wins.

Do you like our chances against Cincinnati?

Don’t sleep on Cincy. That backup threw for 500+ yards against Memphis; an away game at night. Not much worse than Pittsburgh against us last year and we lost with better talent.

I think it’ll be closer than anyone thinks, because a zebra can’t change its stripes; Golden is the coach that Golden is.

During our conversation, and even as I began to transcribe it for this piece, I couldn’t help but feel the emotion and passion that they have for the Hurricanes.

You may not agree with their method of approach; call it immature, disrespectful, or cowardly to not put a face and name to the banners flying over South Beach. But this is why we love college football, for the fans; abbreviated from the word fanatic.

I do not know what the rest of the season holds for the Hurricanes or coach Golden, but with a fan base as dedicated to excellence as those who make up the #FireAlGolden movement, Miami has nothing to fear as they continue their trek back to the summit of college football.
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