Syracuse Orange enter the field (vs. WestVirginia '05)

[gymman1031]

Hey tehblizz! How are you doing? Well, since Syracuse is 1-4 right now, I think it is pretty safe to say that there will be a new head coach for 2009. It is a shame things didn't work out for Greg Robinson, because he is a great DC and good man.

I know that the committee for the coaching search is getting ready, and Donovan McNabb is one of the head people on it. Due to Syracuse being down, and due to their good tradition, this may be the most important coaching search in school history!

[gymman1031]

I know that Randy Edsall, who is doing an awesome job at UCONN, has been talked about. He went to Syracuse, so he might be my first choice. However, I don't know if he will leave UCONN.

The person I have heard about and whom I think could do a good job bringing Syracuse back is current Buffalo coach Turner Gill. Turner knows a thing or two about winning, since he coached Tommie Frazier and other great quarterbacks at Nebraska. He has really improved the program at Buffalo.

[gymman1031]

Turner was also one of the candidates for the Nebraska job last season. In addition, for what he has to offer, he is recruiting quite well. And, he knows New York High School Football better than most other coaches. He is 46 now, so he has plenty of years left in him. I must mention that, when it comes to OOC opponents, he isn't afraid to schedule tough opponents, which would be great for 'Cuse.

We shall see!

[tehblizz]

Did I hear someone say Tuberville going to Syracuse? :O

[tehblizz]

I'll be in Syracuse to watch the northwestern game, can't wait! My flight leaves on thursday :)

[scole1116]

Worth the trip, wasn't it : )

[tehblizz]

Sorry gymman1031, I deleted your last post on accident, I was trying to reply to it! Anyway, that's what they have been saying over the past years, let's hope this time something positive for SU football will happen!

[gymman1031]

That is okay, tehblizz! Right now, we have a little over 4 months left until football season starts. This will be Greg Robinson's 4th season as head coach, and he has an overall record of 7-29. Without a doubt, this will be a make-or-break year for him. Here is what I say his fate will be:

.500 or better-he will be back in 2009.

5-7-He very likely would be fired, but there is a chance that he could be back in 2009.

4-8 or worse-There will be a new coach in 2009! Do you agree?

[gymman1031]

Now, here are some reasons to have hope for 2009:

1. Greg Robinson knows that his back is against the wall, so he very likely will work extra hard throughout the off season and during the season to make things work out.

2. There have been some assistant coaching changes, and they have a new coordinator who is very good.

3. Robinson hasn't done a bad job recruiting, and this will be his 4th season, so almost all the players on the team will be ones that HE recruited.

[gymman1031]

4. Syracuse, especially the quarterback, showed some signs of positive things last season, especially against Louisville and Cincy.

5. All of Greg's players will be a year older and more experienced.

[tehblizz]

I agree ;) Hopefully I'll be able to come to the States to see a game.. I'm planning on coming for the xmas season but perhaps I can anticipate the flight :P

[UchihaNick17]

but I agree with what u said

[UchihaNick17]

I think they had a bad desicion when they fired paul pasclinto or howeva u spell his name. His record was 6-5. Thats better than's Greg's 2-9 or what the last SU football's record.

[theone2225]

damn i love the loud house

[gymman1031]

It was announced on 11/28/07 that Coach Greg Robinson will be back at Syracuse in 2008. However, don't worry. The AD made it clear that, if Syracuse isn't much improved next season, there will be a new coach for 2009.

[tehblizz]

Isn't it a bit too late for a miracle?..

[gymman1031]

I think it is a bit too late. I think the AD thought that he was being "fair" to Robinson by bringing him back, maybe because next season, a lot of the team will be composed of players that Robinson recruited. Also, although they lost to a solid Cincy team to end the season, they played the Bearcats tough for much of the game. I don't agree with the AD's decision, but it looks like, if Robinson fails again next year, that will be the end of him.

[tehblizz]

That's true, they played well against Cincy, but if you look at the whole season it just makes you want to cry! I just hope Robinson will be able to do a good job next year and get to .500

[gymman1031]

For Syracuse to become a bowl bound team every year the following things will need to happen:

1. Syracuse needs to get a coach who can both COACH and RECRUIT very well.

2. Syracuse needs to get money and build a 50,000-60,000 outside football stadium. This would help so much with recruiting and gameday atmosphere. Most players would prefer to get fresh air in their lungs on a crisp, fall day.

[tehblizz]

point #2 seems sci-fi to me.. do you think that will ever happen?

[gymman1031]

Any word on who Syracuse's next football coach will be? I have heard rumours that New England Patriots OC Josh McDaniel might be a candidate.

[tehblizz]

I don't know, but they are gonna have to put alot of effort (and I mean a lot!!!) into the new football program (if they are interested in bringing it back to life).. it's not just the new coach, it's about money, recruiting etc

[gymman1031]

And, I am a Syracuse fan, and I will admit it will take loads of effort with money, getting a good coach, and recruiting. One must remember that, in this day and age, the term "easy sell" when recruiting for college sports is more in effect than ever, and Syracuse is definitely not one of the easiest sells for top football talent right now for several reasons.

[gymman1031]

Here are the reasons why Syracuse is not an easy sell for top talent right now, even though it is a great school with a nice campus and good football tradition:

1. Syracuse Football has been down for awhile.

2. New York is not a state that is loaded with top high school talent.

3. Syracuse is, first and foremost, a basketball school.

4. Their home games are played indoors.

5. Syracuse is not nearly as good a college town as some other towns.

6. The winters are very cold and snowy.

[tehblizz]

and the Big East ain't the Big East we used to know..

[gymman1031]

That is so true! Not with Miami, Virginia Tech, and Boston College, who were often hands-down the 3 best teams in the conference, in the ACC now. Players want to go to schools where they not only can win, but they can play against powerful teams in their conference. God, I hope that the coaches at the schools who are doing well in the conference don't move up someday.

[TouchtheSky1]

In my opinion they should get someone who knows the college football not another pro level coach

[gymman1031]

Listen! Someone just told me that they think that, with this huge Louisville win, Greg's job is saved. That is, unless Syracuse loses one of their "can/should win" games. If they win them all but don't beat the big boys, their final record would be 5-7. It is true that would be a one game improvement from 2006. However, if Greg were around after a 5-7 record, 2008 would be beyond bowl or bust for Greg.

[tehblizz]

you were saying?.. lol

[gymman1031]

Well, I think it is safe to say that there will be a new coach at 'Cuse next season. They are 1-6 right now, and they still have to play Buffalo, UCONN, Cincy, South Florida, and Pitt. I say they finish 4-8 at best. By the way, Greg Robinson said some uncalled for stuff after the West Virginia game and before the Rutgers game.

[gymman1031]

I know he is frustrated, but a coach shouldn't open his mouth like that. Boy, those Pasqualoni days seem like glory days, now. Oh well! Only 1 month until hoops season. I think 'Cuse is going to surprise some people this season.

[tehblizz]

yep yep, can't wait for basketball! ;) btw I'm praying for a win in the Auburn @lSU game on saturday.. the only way for us to win is to keep the score low as long as possible.. if LSU starts scoring then it's gonna be a blowout! War Eagle :)

[gymman1031]

P.S.-Even if Greg Robinson leaves after this season, I am happy for him. This Louisville win is a win that he can cherish forever. By the way, since Greg is a great defensive coach, I say that he will find a great defensive coaching job if he gets let go.

[tehblizz]

I'd include Buffalo in the ''can-win'' section

[gymman1031]

Wow! So even that game isn't a given?

[gymman1031]

Wow, that was a big win against Louisville! Syracuse is 1-3, and I STILL say that 'Cuse needs to go 6-6 for Greg's job to be saved. Although it will be a task, I really think it can be done. If the Orange keep playing like they did against Louisville, good things could happen.

[gymman1031]

Here are the remaining games, not in order:

Miami(Ohio)-can win

Buffalo-should win

UCONN-can win

Pitt-can win

Rutgers-tough game

West Virginia-tough game

South Florida-tough game

Cincinnati-tough game

So, for 'Cuse to finish 6-6, they will need to win all their "can/should" win games and beat one of their "tough game" opponents. We shall see!

[gymman1031]

Uugh! The 2007 season is not off to a good start! Not only are the Orange 0-3, but they have looked awful both on offense and defense. I don't see Syracuse finishing at .500, and I think Greg Robinson will be gone. Oh well, only two months until basketball. Syracuse will be young, but I really think they are going to surprise some people this year.

[gymman1031]

Without a doubt, assuming Syracuse will be looking for a new football coach, they should definitely focus on coaches who have been head coaches in the NFL, Division I, or Division I-AA and been very successful at that level. Do you agree?

[gymman1031]

In fact, my #1 choice would be Skip Holtz. Skip is only in his early-40's and has done a great job at both UCONN and ECU. In addition, I can imagine that he learned just a few coaching tips from his father Lou, who is an all-time great college coach.

[tehblizz]

Thank God for basketball! lol This season is going really bad for me, Syracuse is 0-3 and Auburn is 1-2.. but at least AU has an excuse and will be back (hopefully) next year.. SU? They need to make a 100% renewal of the program.. Not only the coach, but the air they breathe!

[gymman1031]

Somebody responded to my question the other day, and I totally agree with what this person had to say. For Greg's job to be saved after the 2007, he will need to at least go .500. And, if he does that but no better, 2008 will be bowl or bust for him. Who agrees?

[tehblizz]

totally!

[TheMushMaster]

Washington fan here. How do you guys see the upcoming game? Is the Carrier Dome going to be rockin or what?

[tehblizz]

mmmh the team doesn't look very good at all.. so I hear.. who knows if anyone is going to bother to go watch it lol

[eagleyankee]

Man I hope the 'Cuse do better this year.  We've failed in football and our traditional basketball lately, but football we know, along with anyone whose seen a SU football game in the past 2 years, needs it more. :-)

[tehblizz]

Yea, the basketball team is still doing pretty good, not as good as we hoped of course but way better than the football program lol. The football program has been crap for a looong time now, what a pity

[somvietkid]

Man only if we could see the stadium like that today.. What happend to cause that?

[gymman1031]

Thanks for the video! Did you know that the Sporting News 2007 College Football Magazine picks Syracuse as a sleeper team? I still think Greg Robinson could do good things. Hey, 2006 was actually a big improvement over 2005. Not only was the record better, but Syracuse looked much more like a team. Don't forget that, in 2007, Robinson's system will be completely in place and that it will be the 1st season where many of the regular players will be ones that Robinson recruited.

[tehblizz]

yep yep, I hear ya! I Can't wait for the season to start :)

[gymman1031]

Of course, the 1st game of the season is against Washington. There are definitely a few similarities between the 2 teams. First of all, both Syracuse and Washington have good tradition, and they are both wanting to get back to being powerful again. Second of all, both coaches, Robinson and Tyrone Willingham will be in their 3 seasons as coach.

[gymman1031]

And, both coaches are feeling some heat for not having produced a winning team, yet. However, Willingham is feeling more heat right now. On coacheshotseat, Willingham is "On The Hotseat", and Greg Robinson is "On The Edge Of The Hotseat." I think that both teams might surprise some people this season!!

[doonman324]

little did we know at the time...that would mark the beginning of the downfall for the su football program at least to this day.

[tehblizz]

True!.. Everyone was so excited at the beginning of the match, alot of people tailgating on the Quad.. bah what a bummer :(