What’s next for UM
*The NCAA, likely in early 2013, will present Miami with results of its investigation and a notice of allegations against the school’s athletic department.
*Miami will have three months to review the NCAA’s findings and respond.
For the second consecutive year, the University of Miami is staying home for the holidays.
The university announced Monday that it is self-imposing a bowl ban that will keep the Hurricanes from playing in the ACC championship game even if they beat Duke on Saturday and win the Coastal Division.
Players and coaches were informed of the decision by interim athletic director Blakes James before practice on Monday morning.
“As anyone can imagine, there was a reaction of disappointment,” James said. “You play to win games and to have opportunities, and this is an opportunity that they were shooting for all year. To not have that potential to be able to play in a bowl game is obviously disappointing.”
By opting out of a bowl game for the second straight year, UM officials are hoping to soften potential NCAA sanctions resulting from an improper benefits scandal connected to booster Nevin Shapiro that came to light in August 2011. UM has yet to receive a notice of allegations from the NCAA and penalties are not expected to be handed down for months.
The ban could end up costing Miami a BCS berth. The Hurricanes (6-5, 4-3 ACC) were a win on Saturday against Duke from earning the program’s first ACC Championship Game appearance. Now, Georgia Tech backs in to the Coastal Division title and will face Florida State on Dec. 1 for a likely Orange Bowl berth.
“Do I think it’s fair?” coach Al Golden said of his players’ being punished for infractions they did not commit. “No, but that’s the system.
“Our seniors have given up a lot, our team has given up a lot, but obviously, in the best interest of the program and getting this behind us, this was a decision that had to be made.”
UM is believed to be the first school to voluntarily disqualify itself from two consecutive bowl games. Asked if he had any certainty that the NCAA would not extend the Hurricanes’ postseason ban through next season or beyond, James said: “Nothing is guaranteed until we go through the process.”
James said he did not know when UM will receive its notice of allegations, which outlines the infractions that are being charged. UM will have an opportunity to respond to the allegations before sanctions are levied, probably some time in early 2013.
With an eye toward future sanctions that could include scholarship reductions, Golden said Monday he’s planning on signing a small recruiting class in February. Scholarships cuts are a favored approach of the NCAA in dealing with rule breakers.
“I’m not allowed to comment on anything relative to the investigation,” Golden said. “But I’m already factoring it in to my count. They’re going to tell us, ultimately, but I’ve already started down that road of not taking a full group.”
Despite the controversy that has swirled around UM’s football program during most of his two-year tenure, Golden re-affirmed his commitment to the Hurricanes on Monday. Golden’s name has already been connected to openings at Tennessee and Arkansas, but said he’s “not in the business of looking for another job right now.”
“We’re really close,” said Golden, whose contracted was extended last year through 2019. “I know it’s hard to see, but we’re five points away from being undefeated on the Coastal side. Our kids are doing a heck of a job, just need to stay the course, and I’m here to lead them.”
Golden’s coaching chops will be tested this week as he prepares his young team to play Duke in Durham, N.C. Last season, the Hurricanes were in a similar position — UM officials self-imposed a bowl ban after the team became eligible with its sixth victory — and reacted poorly. The Hurricanes followed the announcement with a lackluster 24-17 loss at home to a 3-8 Boston College.
“We’re going to treat Duke like our bowl game,” left guard Jon Feliciano said. “We don’t want what happened last year when we got the news and kind of went in the tank against Boston College.”
This marks the first time since 1981 and 1982 that UM has gone consecutive seasons without a bowl appearance.
“At the end of the day, it’s something you deal with whether you were a part of it or not,” quarterback Stephen Morris said.
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