Colorado University Athletics
Brooks: Goldberg's Decision To Come Home Pays Off
October 14, 2011 | Football, B.G. Brooks
BOULDER - Maybe it was the altitude, the snow or spending his winters in a town teeming with the rich and famous, but as a high school senior in Aspen, David Goldberg couldn't wait to leave Colorado.
Six years later, he's back and wondering what got into him. He's living a delayed dream, playing football for CU, and like the Buffaloes' other seniors he's eager to help put the program back on track while there are still opportunities.
After graduating from Aspen High School, Goldberg initially walked on at Penn State in 2006 and immediately hit an uncommon trifecta, undergoing three knee surgeries before participating in any football activities. His knee problems - leftovers from high school football and hockey careers - showed up once he began gaining weight while preparing to play college football.
He left Penn State without attending any classes and believed returning home was his best option. San Diego State had offered a scholarship when he was in high school, while Penn State, Miami and CU had offered invited walk-on status.
After originally wanting to leave state, that attitude flipped. Resuming his football career in-state suddenly looked best for him. And in retrospect, it proved to be the best choice - in fact, it was "the best thing that's ever happened to me," he said. Returning to Colorado, he eventually struck up a friendship with former CU/NFL standout Chad Brown and began training with him and picked film study tips from him.
Following spring practice last April, new coach Jon Embree recognized Goldberg's effort and contribution and awarded him a scholarship. Said Goldberg: "Those were words I was waiting to hear for 41/2 years. It's always something I was told I was on the cusp of, but for one reason or another it never happened. I can't even put what it feels like into words, except knowing the hard work has paid off. Coach Embree . . . I don't have anything but amazing things to say about him."
Goldberg, a defensive end, returned to the field two weekends ago against Washington State after missing the previous game at Ohio State with a leg injury. Even though Embree began reducing his travel roster that week, trimming it from 70 to 64, Goldberg accompanied the Buffs on the trip to Columbus, Ohio, despite there being no chance of him playing.
"From a leadership standpoint having him (there) means so much to us . . . that's an intangible we need," defensive ends/outside linebackers coach Kanavis McGhee said. "Just his presence alone in our meeting room is invaluable to us. He's truly dedicated himself, and that started in the spring when I first met him. We can't leave that home."
In the five games in which he's participated, averaging just over 20 snaps a game, Goldberg hasn't put up jaw-dropping statistics. He's averaged one tackle per game, with one quarterback sack and a pair of QB hurries. But McGhee knew what he was getting when Goldberg returned . . . and it wasn't simply more depth.
"He's a guy who studies the game and knows his assignments; the best way to describe him is he's going to be at the right place at the right time because he's going to play his technique," McGhee said. "We know he's going to do things the right way - and the guys around him playing his position know it, too."
At 6-1, 245 pounds, if Goldberg isn't as physically imposing as some defensive ends, he's still athletic and savvy enough at his position to be someone McGhee counts on. "The guys we have playing that position now are all different sizes," McGhee said. "I wouldn't say he's undersized, especially going against who we are now (in the Pac-12). His size is great, and you can't question his heart and his toughness. That's something else I love.
"When you're coaching this game, you try to establish a philosophy of consistency and toughness. You expect your guys to run through a wall and when they do that, I'll tell them to do it again and again and again. Then they keep doing it without me asking. That's Dave. He's going to keep doing it. He's what you look for in building the foundation."
When Goldberg was injured, McGhee and the medical staff had to convince him not to try and rush back. "I kept telling him it's a long season and I need to make sure you're there for the finish," McGhee said.
Goldberg and his fellow defenders will be spotlighted Saturday (1:30 p.m. MDT, Root Sports) against Washington, which has won seven of its past eight games (4-1 this season, 2-0 Pac-12) and has had an open date to prepare for the Buffs. The Huskies have scored 30 or more points in each of their five outings this season; the Buffs have allowed an average of 38 in their past three losses.
Goldberg, whose family tree includes a bevy of football-playing relatives (father, grandfather, uncles), believes the Buffs will rebound from that three-game losing streak (Ohio State, Washington State, Stanford).
"It's one of those things where six to eight plays can change a football game," he said. "We need to find a way to make those six or eight plays go our way.
"We're very close. I've been hearing 'very close' for a very long time from a different person. This is a different type of very close . . . but at the end of the day it doesn't mean anything until it actually happens."
Making it happen very soon is Goldberg's goal. He's not alone.
Contact: BG.Brooks@Colorado.EDU
