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The Daily OrangeBerman | February success needs to translate to wins in Fall
By Zach Berman
Posted: 2/7/08, 12:43 AM EST Section: Sports
In an otherwise ordinary news conference on an otherwise ordinary Tuesday in November, an embattled Greg Robinson pounded on the lectern in front of him and made an announcement - a plea, even - to reporters and fans who questioned whether Robinson was the right man to coach Syracuse football.
"Wherever I've been as a coach, they've always said I was a great recruiter," he said at the time. It was similar to Rudy Giuliani saying "Wait 'til Florida." We saw how that worked out.
Yesterday, in the same place where Robinson made his November address, he returned with a different look on his face. This time, the look was less 'Give me time' and more 'I told you so.' Robinson proved he could recruit, announcing a Signing Day haul of 27 players, highlighted by two in-state players who arrive with the ratings of the finest recruits Robinson has brought to Syracuse. He won his Florida, so to speak.
For that much, Robinson deserves credit. He's taken his share of criticism during the past few months - with these pages as one of the primary culprits - and it's only fair to recognize when he lives up to his billing.
What makes it even more impressive was he did this after a 2-10 season.
"Were we 2-10?" Robinson asked. "I can't remember back. …To me, it is ancient history."
Yet "ancient history" serves as a lesson for Syracuse. It says something of Robinson's recruiting ability, considering the quality and depth after such a disappointing season. But it also says something that the Orange was even in that position in Robinson's third year on the job. Throughout the trying final weeks of the season, the message from those around the program - Robinson and Director of Athletics Daryl Gross included - was patience. Wait until this class comes in. Let his past recruiting classes develop.
And now, with Signing Day the unofficial start of the 2008 season, Robinson's two paths diverge. His recruiting has carried him this far. His coaching will have to do the rest.
"Wherever I've been as a coach, they've always said I was a great recruiter," he said at the time. It was similar to Rudy Giuliani saying "Wait 'til Florida." We saw how that worked out.
Yesterday, in the same place where Robinson made his November address, he returned with a different look on his face. This time, the look was less 'Give me time' and more 'I told you so.' Robinson proved he could recruit, announcing a Signing Day haul of 27 players, highlighted by two in-state players who arrive with the ratings of the finest recruits Robinson has brought to Syracuse. He won his Florida, so to speak.
For that much, Robinson deserves credit. He's taken his share of criticism during the past few months - with these pages as one of the primary culprits - and it's only fair to recognize when he lives up to his billing.
What makes it even more impressive was he did this after a 2-10 season.
"Were we 2-10?" Robinson asked. "I can't remember back. …To me, it is ancient history."
Yet "ancient history" serves as a lesson for Syracuse. It says something of Robinson's recruiting ability, considering the quality and depth after such a disappointing season. But it also says something that the Orange was even in that position in Robinson's third year on the job. Throughout the trying final weeks of the season, the message from those around the program - Robinson and Director of Athletics Daryl Gross included - was patience. Wait until this class comes in. Let his past recruiting classes develop.
And now, with Signing Day the unofficial start of the 2008 season, Robinson's two paths diverge. His recruiting has carried him this far. His coaching will have to do the rest.
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