Miami Hires Al Golden as Head Football Coach

Dec. 12, 2010

Head Coach Central

CORAL GABLES, Fla.–University of Miami Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt has announced the hiring of Al Golden as the new head football coach at the University of Miami.

Golden is the 22nd head coach in program history and leaves a resurrected Temple program to take the helm at Miami.

“From the beginning of this process, one candidate stood above the rest as the right fit for the University of Miami,” said Director of Athletics Kirby Hocutt. “We are proud to welcome Al Golden to The U. His desire, leadership, communications skills and preparedness stood above the rest and he is the right man to meet the championship expectations of this program.”

Golden will be officially introduced to the Miami Hurricane fans during a press conference on Monday. HurricaneSports.com will have free live video of his formal introduction, as well as UStream coverage and a live chat where fans can interact directly with Miami athletics staff.

Over five seasons at Temple, Golden took the Owls to unprecedented heights. Before his arrival, TU had just two winning seasons since 1980 and had only won 22 percent of its games over the previous 30 years.

After taking over the Owls, who went 0-11 the season prior to his arrival, Golden has led his team to a 17-5 record over the last 22 regular season games, including a 2010 defeat of BIG EAST champion and Fiesta Bowl participant Connecticut.

The 41-year-old owns a 27-34 career record, which includes a 9-4 mark in 2009, and an 8-4 mark in 2010. He was able to lead the Owls to two winning seasons, which is exactly half of their total over the 26 years prior.

Golden has not only infused life into the win column at Temple, but he has done wonders in the academic area. The Owls had an APR score of 858 four years ago and that has sky-rocketed to 926. He also has spiked the Graduation Success Rate from a low of 47 percent to the current high total of 56 percent.