PINEHURST, N.C. - All preseason declarations of improved chemistry and attitude must be consumed with grains of salt, but Miami coach Al Golden was emphatic in providing his own.
“I’m excited about the leadership that we’re getting,” Golden said Tuesday at the ACC Kickoff. “Very team-oriented group right now. It’s a group that we can’t get ’em out of the (football) building. They’re in the locker room, they’re in the players lounge sometimes till 5, 6 o’clock.”
Golden made several internal changes after last season’s 6-7 finish, including a season-ending four-game losing streak, underachievement for a team that had seven players drafted into the NFL this spring. Golden was particularly trying to root out contentedness within the team and staff.
“If you’re coming home from the stadium and you’re content because your area’s good, but we lost, it’s not good,” Golden said.
Golden has tried to instill more discipline and accountability on a team whose 24 turnovers last season tied for 87th in the country and that was 108th in penalty yardage per game. He had a group of team leaders draft teammates for a team-building exercise, and let team members know what round they were drafted. He also authorized players to discipline teammates who aren’t measuring up with early-morning runs.
“I think it was sobering to some kids (drafted later) because it’s the same criteria that determines whether you win or lose a game,” Golden said.
Golden, whose job is considered to be in jeopardy after four seasons and a 28-22 record, said he is energized by the response from his team, picked to finish third in the Coastal.
“I’m excited about the direction of this team,” he said.
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