BY TOM GROESCHEN
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Bob Goin is frustrated, like any other fan of the 0-8 Cincinnati Bearcats. But the UC athletic director remains committed to coach Rick Minter.
Minter signed a four-year contract extension (through 2002) in the offseason, but UC's collapse after an 8-4 bowl season has raised questions. It is not the 0-8 so much as the way UC is losing -- by an average score of 48-18.
Goin said the problem is not Minter, but simply not enough good players.
"Now, he's responsible for that," Goin said Monday. "But is he going to be back next year as our football coach? Yes . . . I think he has what it takes to turn it back around."
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0-FERS
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UC is one of four winless teams in Division I-A:
Cincinnati 0-8
Kent 0-8
UNLV 0-8
Hawaii 0-7
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Minter warned in preseason that UC might slip in 1998. He said recruiting was spotty in his first three offseasons here (1994-96), with a big turnover in assistant coaches. He predicted UC would pay the fiddler this year, but not to this degree.
Goin, 61, who became UC's AD in October 1997, said he too is shocked. This has been one of his toughest seasons in 39 years of athletic administration, which includes a national football title as Florida State AD in 1993.
"I had no feeling that this kind of season was before us," he said. "I had the other feeling, that we were moving in the right direction. But I've since identified that we don't have the depth that you need to play at this level."
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BOTTOM 5
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UC is ranked fifth-worst in Division I-A in the USA Today - Sagarin ratings:
108. Cincinnati (0-8)
109. Hawaii (0-7)
110. E. Michigan (2-6)
111. Ball State (1-7)
112. Kent (0-8)
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Goin won't let Minter hang alone on this.
"I think all of us have to assume some responsibility for the condition of the program," he said. "We're going to have a total evaluation of this program when the season is over. Everything that touches our football program will be assessed."
Minter himself has kept his poise, both publicly and with his players. He has earned leeway from UC fans after coaching three straight winning teams from 1995-97, but said 1998 has caused him several sleepless nights.
"I can't stand that we're unsuccessful, but I can promise you I'm not going to walk away or tuck my tail and run," Minter said. "I've got faith that we will get this done . . . and there will be better days here."
Minter said UC will hit the junior colleges to patch some personnel holes, but he believes the Bearcats still must build via the high schools.
"Rick is a good leader, his kids are well-disciplined, he's good in the community, and he's a good team player in the department," Goin said. "I firmly believe he's a fine football coach, and we'll work through this."
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