It's official: Coach Al Golden is leaving Temple. He was named coach of the Miami Hurricanes Sunday.
"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."
The Canes will officially introduce Golden at a press conference Monday. The exacts of the deal weren't clear but it is believed to be at least a four-year deal worth nearly $8 million, the AP reported.
Reports surfaced earlier Sunday from ESPN and the Miami Herald that Golden would be taking his talents to South Beach. Well not exactly in those words.
Golden leaves a huge void on North Broad Street. In just five seasons Golden turned the Owls around from a nationwide cellar dweller that lost all their games in 2005.
By last season Golden, 41, had put together a winning program at Temple as he led the Owls to a 9-4 record and their first bowl game in a generation.
This season he again put together a winning team but the 8-4 Owls were overlooked for a bowl.
In his five seasons with the Owls Golden was 27-34.
The search for Golden's successor would start immediately, Temple University Director of Athletics Bill Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw wished Golden the best:
"Golden did not just win games at Temple University, but he built a football program, and he did it the right way. He engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in Division I history, and not only did he turn Temple football around, he did it in such a way that it will last long after his departure. The turnaround was not only seen on the gridiron, but also in the classroom, with unprecedented academic success. He also instilled core values evidenced by the team's outstanding community service record."
"He hands off a program that is built for success, and for that Temple University is grateful. We wish him, his wife Kelly, and his entire family all the best at the University of Miami."
Golden, a South Jersey native, played tight end for Joe Paterno at Penn State.
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