Spring Break
The Daily OrangeWhy Saturday will be Paul Pasqualoni's last game at Syracuse
By Chico Harlan
Posted: 12/5/03, 3:08 AM EST Section: Sports
On Monday, following perhaps the most damaging loss of his coaching career, Paul Pasqualoni fixed himself behind a folding table and addressed the local media in his weekly press conference. Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel and roughly 30 media members were in front of him. Nobody was behind him.
In 13 years here, Pasqualoni has coached 154 Syracuse football games. The prediction: Saturday's game will be his last. If the SU football team wants to move forward, it will soon fire the coach who's lost his backing and support. Recent history, in fact, indicates that the decision may have already been made.
When Syracuse lost in 1999 to 30-point underdog Rutgers - the team's third defeat in four games - Pasqualoni's job status descended into water cooler conversation for the first time during his tenure. Crouthamel and Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw immediately came to his defense; Crouthamel even cracked that he'd forgo his own job before he'd dismiss Pasqualoni.
A year ago, as the Orangemen stumbled through their worst season in more than a decade, Crouthamel tore the Coach P rumors into ribbons when he assured that Pasqualoni would not be fired during or after the season.
This year, Pasqualoni is still waiting to find someone of stature who thinks he should return next season. To this point, Crouthamel has remained quiet - he refused to address the issue when asked on Tuesday. Yet that silence won't last long. Crouthamel plans to soon hold a press conference and address his coach's job. "Sometime next week," he said. If Crouthamel had good news for his coach, he'd have already said it.
Quite simply, Pasqualoni cannot return. The fans deserve better. The school demands more. This season, the Orangemen currently stand at 5-6; if they lose to Notre Dame in the season finale, they'll finish with a losing record for the second consecutive year. Once again, they'll fall short of the minimum standards that Crouthamel cited for his football team a year ago.
In 13 years here, Pasqualoni has coached 154 Syracuse football games. The prediction: Saturday's game will be his last. If the SU football team wants to move forward, it will soon fire the coach who's lost his backing and support. Recent history, in fact, indicates that the decision may have already been made.
When Syracuse lost in 1999 to 30-point underdog Rutgers - the team's third defeat in four games - Pasqualoni's job status descended into water cooler conversation for the first time during his tenure. Crouthamel and Chancellor Kenneth A. Shaw immediately came to his defense; Crouthamel even cracked that he'd forgo his own job before he'd dismiss Pasqualoni.
A year ago, as the Orangemen stumbled through their worst season in more than a decade, Crouthamel tore the Coach P rumors into ribbons when he assured that Pasqualoni would not be fired during or after the season.
This year, Pasqualoni is still waiting to find someone of stature who thinks he should return next season. To this point, Crouthamel has remained quiet - he refused to address the issue when asked on Tuesday. Yet that silence won't last long. Crouthamel plans to soon hold a press conference and address his coach's job. "Sometime next week," he said. If Crouthamel had good news for his coach, he'd have already said it.
Quite simply, Pasqualoni cannot return. The fans deserve better. The school demands more. This season, the Orangemen currently stand at 5-6; if they lose to Notre Dame in the season finale, they'll finish with a losing record for the second consecutive year. Once again, they'll fall short of the minimum standards that Crouthamel cited for his football team a year ago.
