Report: Wisconsin could land Golden
Miami (Fla.) coach Al Golden has emerged as the favorite for the Wisconsin coaching job, according to a report from Sports Illustrated.
The Rose Bowl-bound Badgers are looking for a replacement for Bret Bielema, who left to accept the head coaching position at Arkansas on Dec. 3.
SI.com reported Golden could accept the job as soon as Thursday night.
Golden, a former tight end (1987-91) and assistant coach under Joe Paterno at Penn State, turned Temple into a Mid-American Conference contender before accepting the post at Miami. Shortly after he was hired, the scandal involving athletic booster and Ponzi schemer Nevin Shapiro and numerous Miami athletes and recruits over several seasons cast a pall over the program.
But Golden, 43, stayed focused, got the Hurricanes to bowl-eligible status and signed a contract extension through the 2019 season. He also guided Miami to a 7-5 record in 2012.
The Hurricanes passed on the postseason after each season in order to honor the ongoing NCAA investigation.
He was previously linked to the Tennessee coaching job and his name has made the rounds in the rumor mill before.
"To be perfectly honest with you, the only time I hear it is when (reporters) say it," Golden told the Sun-Sentinel last week. "I know (my wife) would cry if I said we were moving out of town.
"I hope, that if (rumors exist), I hope it's for how we're operating in a very tumultuous time and how we're being steadfast with our plan and not flinching. I hope people respect that."
Atheltic director Barry Alvarez will serve as head coach for the Badgers' Rose Bowl meeting with Stanford on Jan. 1, but said he's not interested in remaining coach for the long-term.
