Syracuse Realizes 'Change' Is Needed

It almost seemed innocuous in the press release headline, "Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross Announces Change in Football Program." The sort of headline that suggests a new recruiting coordinator has been hired, perhaps an improvement to the academic assistance program. No. It is the long awaited, much anticipated, surprising to no one except that it took until mid-November to happen.

"I have made the decision to move our football program in a new direction and have informed Greg Robinson that his tenure as Syracuse's head coach will end at the conclusion of this season.

"Coach Robinson worked very hard to try to establish a winning program, one that could eventually compete for the conference championship on a regular basis. Unfortunately, the progress we expected to see has not occurred."

Progress? Try regression beyond any belief.

Robinson's record at Syracuse is 9-36 overall and 3-24 in the Big East. The Orange is 2-8 and 1-5 after losing to Connecticut 39-14 on Saturday night at the Carrier Dome. The Orange has remaining games against Notre Dame on Saturday and Cincinnati November 29. Robinson, who has a year remaining on his contract and earns $1.1 million per season, is expected to coach the Orange for the last two games.

This has been the worst stretch of Orange football in its 119 year history. Until Robinson, Syracuse had never lost ten games in a season. By the time this season ends, it is a very good chance that Syracuse will have lost ten games in three of four seasons.

The good Dr. Gross explained in the press release that he made the move, that most expected last season and at any time this season to, "end rumor and speculation and provides us ample time to hire a head coach who has shown the capability to produce a winning football program that the Syracuse nation can be proud of."

Yes, as Syracuse joins the queue behind Clemson, Tennessee, Washington and Kansas State. Way to get a jump on things.