Goldsmith is perhaps best known for his head coaching stints at two NCAA Division I football programs: Rice and Duke.
He was recognized as the 1992 Sports Illustrated National NCAA Football Coach of the Year for leading Rice to within one win of a bowl game.
However, this momentum did not last, and within two years the Blue Devils had crumbled to the second winless season in school history.
In addition, under Goldsmith's tenure, Duke's football program was ordered to pay walk-on kicker, Heather Sue Mercer, $2,000,001 in nominal and punitive damages for its discriminatory treatment of her during her time on the team.
A federal jury found that Mercer was afforded less of an opportunity to practice and compete than other 'similarly situated' players (other walk-on kickers).