University of Miami Football Head Coach Al Golden Fired

After a dismal defeat and wide outcry for his firing since last year, the University of Miami officially fired head coach Al Golden Sunday after a 59-0 shutout defeat given by the Clemson Tigers on Saturday. Miami athletic director Blake James formally dismissed Golden of his duties after the loss and his statement is below regarding the firing:

“Coach Golden has led our program through some very difficult times and he has done so with class, integrity and a true desire to see our students succeed on the field, in the classroom and in the community. However, we have a proud tradition of excellence at Miami, not just in football but in all sports, and we want to compete for ACC and national championships. I simply believe that now is the time to bring the Hurricane Family together and rally behind our young men.”

Since coming to the head coach post for Miami in 2011, Golden had a 28-22 record coming into this season and two bowl losses, something that was not seen back in 2001 when the Hurricanes won the coveted national championship. With Golden as head coach, it seemed that Miami was falling behind the likes of powerhouses like Florida State and Clemson when they were once competitive with those football programs, which may have led to his firing. “On behalf of my family I want to thank the University of Miami for a tremendous opportunity,” Golden said in a press release. “I believe in what we are doing and how we are doing it and we have some outstanding young men in our football program. Though this moment is difficult, we wish the Canes the best of luck going forward.”

Assistant coach Larry Scott will be the program’s interim head coach until a new hire has been put in place for the Hurricanes.