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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. − Notre Dame defensive coordinator Al Golden is doing his best, he said here, to push his intertwined football past aside with this opponent, with this town.
This College Football Playoff semifinal in Thursday night’s Orange Bowl has brought him back to where he led the Miami Hurricanes as head coach for four seasons.
It’s brought him to face his alma mater, where he got his college football start playing and even coaching.
Golden wasn’t just a tight end and former Penn State football team captain. He helped the Nittany Lions produce one of their legendary victories − the upset of No. 1 Notre Dame in 1990. Golden caught the tying touchdown pass that day.
Since, he’s coached against his former mentor, Joe Paterno, when he led Temple. He even interviewed for the Penn State head coaching job that ultimately went to James Franklin a decade ago.
Oct 14, 2023; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cefensive coordinator Al Golden watches in the third quarter against the USC Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Upon arriving here in South Florida on Tuesday, Golden was asked over and again about his Penn State connections. During one point, Big Ten Network analyst and former PSU star Matt Millen, interrupted with a tap of his arm, a smile and a few words.
Golden answered each question patiently and thoughtfully.
From what it means to meet his old team on such a grand stage to what he still holds from playing under Paterno.
“The overarching lesson that’s always stayed with me is, if you take care of the person, the person will become what you want as an athlete,” Golden said. “Whether it’s the character development, the community service, being demanding academically, being disciplined. If you care about the player as a person, he’ll take care of the…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/al-goldens-journey-starring-penn-090659138.html
Author : York Daily Record
Publish date : 2025-01-08 09:06:00
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