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Golden headed to Miami

Temple's coach Al Golden has accepted the head coaching job at the University of Miami, the school has confirmed.

Temple coach Al Golden has reportedly accepted an offer to become the next coach of the Miami Hurricanes. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)
Temple coach Al Golden has reportedly accepted an offer to become the next coach of the Miami Hurricanes. (Yong Kim/Staff file photo)Read more

Temple's coach Al Golden has accepted the head coaching job at the University of Miami, the school has confirmed.

Philadelphia sources have confirmed that he would tell his players tonight and is expected to be introduced at a 6 p.m. news conference/rally Monday in South Florida.

Miami athletic director Kirby Hocutt is expected to address the media tonight after the team's banquet.

In a statement, he said, "From the beginning of this process, one candidate stood above the rest as the right fit for the University of Miami. 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."

ESPN.com and multiple South Florida news outlets initially reported the hiring. The Associated Press said his contract is for at least 4 years and $8 million.

Golden had interviewed with Miami officials at least twice, according to reports, once in New York and once in Philadelphia.

Golden spent five seasons at Temple, turning around the Owls and winning 19 games in the last two seasons. The team went 8-4 this season, but was not invited to a bowl game.

Golden would replace Randy Shannon, who was fired.

"Al Golden did not just win games at Temple University, but he built a football program, and he did it the right way," Temple athletic director Bill Bradshaw said in a statement. "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."

Temple will beginning searching for a successor immediately.

Golden was selected over Marc Trestman, coach of Montreal's CFL team who was a former Miami assistant, and UConn coach Randy Edsall.