Travis Haney, ESPN Staff Writer
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In the span of 60 minutes, with Clemson scoring at will in a quarter-populated stadium, Al Golden went from in trouble to doomed at Miami.
Next Week Now examines where the Hurricanes go from here -- Durham, N.C., to play Duke, most immediately -- and which programs will be next to join Maryland and USC in firing their coaches. In talking with coaches, agents and administrators, it was already likely the job at Miami was going to come open.
Then came the worst loss in school history.
The Tigers led 42-0 at the half. The starters sat early in the third quarter. It could have been far worse than the final score of 58-0.
Postgame, a Clemson assistant coach said he was appreciative that so many recruits were able to see the Tigers’ win in person. The problem with that for Miami (and the rest of the league): The recruits were invited by Miami.
On Saturday, "if" became "when" for Golden.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” an agent texted me during the game.
“Has to be.”
School officials told ESPN’s Brett McMurphy that a decision on Golden is not imminent, but those things have a way of changing once donors and administrators get involved. Coaches I texted later Saturday were not expecting Golden to make it through November.
Miami plays this week at 6-1 Duke, which a coach described a few weeks ago as the biggest coaching mismatch in the ACC.
“It’s not fair,” he said of David Cutcliffe’s ability to perennially overachieve -- and Golden’s penchant for doing the opposite.
Miami (4-3, 1-2 ACC) needs just two wins for bowl eligibility, but that isn’t the baseline standard for a proud program such as The U. Seeing how far the Canes are from being a top-shelf ACC team had to have been jarring for anyone clinging to hope about Golden and his regime.
Where will Miami look? I’ve been told by those who know the program that the private school will have only $3 million per year to pay a new coach. That limits the options.
Former FIU head coach and current Bama assistant Mario Cristobal will be a popular name, but this week, someone made a better suggestion: Marshall coach Doc Holliday.
The Herd are 30-6, including two bowl wins, since the start of 2013, and Holliday knows the South Florida recruiting scene well. Holliday and his staff would fit within the school’s financial restraints. He currently makes less than $1 million.
The U isn’t the only ACC Coastal school likely to come open in the next month. Virginia is 2-5, and its only wins came against William & Mary and Syracuse. The Cavaliers host Georgia Tech this week, with the Jackets coming off their stunning upset of FSU.
The UVa job is already receiving some interest from Power 5 coordinators, according to those who know the program. It might be good for someone such as the young, successful coach at Toledo, Matt Campbell. The Rockets are still undefeated this season.
Also, continue to keep an eye on Virginia Tech, which plays this week at Boston College. On Saturday, the Hokies dropped a heartbreaker to Duke in four overtimes, but the harsh reality is they’re 3-5 and need to win three of their final four -- against BC, Georgia Tech, UNC and UVa -- to continue Frank Beamer’s incredible run of 22 consecutive bowl appearances.
There has not been a clear indication that Beamer, 69, will step aside, but it’s no secret the program continues to dip for a variety of reasons. AD Whit Babcock arrived in early 2014; if he finds a suitable replacement, this might be the most sensible time for a change. At this point, it’s difficult to envision Beamer getting the job back.
Coaches and agents told me last week that Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez would be a good choice -- and he’s interested. Rodriguez, they said, is looking to get back to the East Coast. He also used to work with Babcock at West Virginia.
Playoff-impacting game: Notre Dame at Temple
Temple is more than a nice story. In fact, it would be surprising if Matt Rhule’s Owls don't make this game competitive, just because of their style of play.
Temple (7-0) is eighth in scoring defense and 11th in yards-per-play allowed. It also has Jahad Thomas, one of six running backs with a dozen or more rushing scores. Temple can play ball control, ugly up the game and hang around until the fourth quarter.
The Irish will likely arrive in Philly a favorite -- but only a slight one. This would be another quality win for the CFP committee if Notre Dame can get it.
The other side: If Temple wins -- especially if it does so emphatically -- the Owls could enter the conversation as playoff party-crashers. Heck, they would have the same top quality win as Clemson …
Player to watch: Deshaun Watson, Clemson (at NC State)
As mentioned above, Watson didn’t have to labor too much Saturday against Miami. He should be fresher for the Tigers’ next potential trap game in Raleigh.
FPI gives Clemson a 68 percent chance of beating the 5-2 Wolfpack, but you have to wonder if the Tigers will have their eyes ahead to FSU.
Watson, as he often is, will be the difference-maker. If he continues trending up and the Tigers continue to win, do not count him out of the Heisman race. Remember how quickly players have closed in recent years. November is moving month for the award, and Watson has plenty of time to turn heads.
Coach to watch: Mark Richt, Georgia (vs. Florida)
The chatter in the coaching world is getting a bit louder. The question is becoming more common: What would it take for Georgia to fire Richt?
The likelihood is Richt, at a certain point of duress, would walk away before being fired. Regardless of the semantics, if Florida scores another win against Georgia -- especially if it’s as convincing as the one a year ago -- we move that much closer to the hypothetical becoming reality.
Georgia would be the most intriguing opening in the SEC since Nick Saban was hired at Alabama in 2007. It’s that good of a job, when in the right hands. It’s one that might even catch Chip Kelly’s eye if he does have any interest in returning to the college game.
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In the span of 60 minutes, with Clemson scoring at will in a quarter-populated stadium, Al Golden went from in trouble to doomed at Miami.
Next Week Now examines where the Hurricanes go from here -- Durham, N.C., to play Duke, most immediately -- and which programs will be next to join Maryland and USC in firing their coaches. In talking with coaches, agents and administrators, it was already likely the job at Miami was going to come open.
Then came the worst loss in school history.
The Tigers led 42-0 at the half. The starters sat early in the third quarter. It could have been far worse than the final score of 58-0.
Postgame, a Clemson assistant coach said he was appreciative that so many recruits were able to see the Tigers’ win in person. The problem with that for Miami (and the rest of the league): The recruits were invited by Miami.
On Saturday, "if" became "when" for Golden.
“That’s it, isn’t it?” an agent texted me during the game.
“Has to be.”
School officials told ESPN’s Brett McMurphy that a decision on Golden is not imminent, but those things have a way of changing once donors and administrators get involved. Coaches I texted later Saturday were not expecting Golden to make it through November.
Miami plays this week at 6-1 Duke, which a coach described a few weeks ago as the biggest coaching mismatch in the ACC.
“It’s not fair,” he said of David Cutcliffe’s ability to perennially overachieve -- and Golden’s penchant for doing the opposite.
Miami (4-3, 1-2 ACC) needs just two wins for bowl eligibility, but that isn’t the baseline standard for a proud program such as The U. Seeing how far the Canes are from being a top-shelf ACC team had to have been jarring for anyone clinging to hope about Golden and his regime.
Where will Miami look? I’ve been told by those who know the program that the private school will have only $3 million per year to pay a new coach. That limits the options.
Former FIU head coach and current Bama assistant Mario Cristobal will be a popular name, but this week, someone made a better suggestion: Marshall coach Doc Holliday.
The Herd are 30-6, including two bowl wins, since the start of 2013, and Holliday knows the South Florida recruiting scene well. Holliday and his staff would fit within the school’s financial restraints. He currently makes less than $1 million.
The U isn’t the only ACC Coastal school likely to come open in the next month. Virginia is 2-5, and its only wins came against William & Mary and Syracuse. The Cavaliers host Georgia Tech this week, with the Jackets coming off their stunning upset of FSU.
The UVa job is already receiving some interest from Power 5 coordinators, according to those who know the program. It might be good for someone such as the young, successful coach at Toledo, Matt Campbell. The Rockets are still undefeated this season.
Also, continue to keep an eye on Virginia Tech, which plays this week at Boston College. On Saturday, the Hokies dropped a heartbreaker to Duke in four overtimes, but the harsh reality is they’re 3-5 and need to win three of their final four -- against BC, Georgia Tech, UNC and UVa -- to continue Frank Beamer’s incredible run of 22 consecutive bowl appearances.
There has not been a clear indication that Beamer, 69, will step aside, but it’s no secret the program continues to dip for a variety of reasons. AD Whit Babcock arrived in early 2014; if he finds a suitable replacement, this might be the most sensible time for a change. At this point, it’s difficult to envision Beamer getting the job back.
Coaches and agents told me last week that Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez would be a good choice -- and he’s interested. Rodriguez, they said, is looking to get back to the East Coast. He also used to work with Babcock at West Virginia.
Playoff-impacting game: Notre Dame at Temple
Temple is more than a nice story. In fact, it would be surprising if Matt Rhule’s Owls don't make this game competitive, just because of their style of play.
Temple (7-0) is eighth in scoring defense and 11th in yards-per-play allowed. It also has Jahad Thomas, one of six running backs with a dozen or more rushing scores. Temple can play ball control, ugly up the game and hang around until the fourth quarter.
The Irish will likely arrive in Philly a favorite -- but only a slight one. This would be another quality win for the CFP committee if Notre Dame can get it.
The other side: If Temple wins -- especially if it does so emphatically -- the Owls could enter the conversation as playoff party-crashers. Heck, they would have the same top quality win as Clemson …
Player to watch: Deshaun Watson, Clemson (at NC State)
As mentioned above, Watson didn’t have to labor too much Saturday against Miami. He should be fresher for the Tigers’ next potential trap game in Raleigh.
FPI gives Clemson a 68 percent chance of beating the 5-2 Wolfpack, but you have to wonder if the Tigers will have their eyes ahead to FSU.
Watson, as he often is, will be the difference-maker. If he continues trending up and the Tigers continue to win, do not count him out of the Heisman race. Remember how quickly players have closed in recent years. November is moving month for the award, and Watson has plenty of time to turn heads.
Coach to watch: Mark Richt, Georgia (vs. Florida)
The chatter in the coaching world is getting a bit louder. The question is becoming more common: What would it take for Georgia to fire Richt?
The likelihood is Richt, at a certain point of duress, would walk away before being fired. Regardless of the semantics, if Florida scores another win against Georgia -- especially if it’s as convincing as the one a year ago -- we move that much closer to the hypothetical becoming reality.
Georgia would be the most intriguing opening in the SEC since Nick Saban was hired at Alabama in 2007. It’s that good of a job, when in the right hands. It’s one that might even catch Chip Kelly’s eye if he does have any interest in returning to the college game.
