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The Daily OrangeNow or Never
Under Greg Robinson's watch, Syracuse football has hit new lows. But the head coach has one last chance to turn it around
By John Clayton
Posted: 8/28/08, 1:21 AM EST Section: Football Guide
"And I would really appreciate it from you (the media), to not put the focus on something other that I've just talked about. About this team, and about this season. Anything else isn't fair to the kids."
But as much as Robinson wants to avoid it, this season is all about him.
It's about him because someone must be held accountable for the numbers. Because under his watch, the Orange has managed a .200 winning percentage and two Big East wins. Because that winning percentage is the worst among any Syracuse head coach in the last century. Because average attendance dropped last season to 35,009 - a 22-year low.
It's about him because these are his players now. He's had four years to build his vision of Syracuse football. As talent-deprived as the Orange might have been when Paul Pasqualoni was fired, Robinson can't fall back on that now.
And this season is about Greg Robinson because unless he can right this program and save his job, his legacy will be as follows:
As the man who oversaw the most barren period in modern Syracuse football history. A mistake. One the dwindling crowds coming out to the Carrier Dome would like to forget.
He's had to change the culture since he got here. Some didn't want to be a part of it. Lamar McPherson, who committed when Pasqualoni was coach, found that out quickly.
McPherson said Robinson's new west coast offense didn't fit McPherson, who honed his physical style playing for Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, Pa.
"When I got there, Coach Robinson, his philosophy was totally different," McPherson said this summer. "It was his first time being a coach, and I didn't want my career being kind of like a guinea pig, somebody testing.
"I needed development, and I think it was more for like NFL. I needed a lot more development. Stuff that made me good, like my physicality and my effort. I'm not a flashy player. I'm a blue-collar, east coast player. I think he's looking for five-star type of recruit."
But as much as Robinson wants to avoid it, this season is all about him.
It's about him because someone must be held accountable for the numbers. Because under his watch, the Orange has managed a .200 winning percentage and two Big East wins. Because that winning percentage is the worst among any Syracuse head coach in the last century. Because average attendance dropped last season to 35,009 - a 22-year low.
It's about him because these are his players now. He's had four years to build his vision of Syracuse football. As talent-deprived as the Orange might have been when Paul Pasqualoni was fired, Robinson can't fall back on that now.
And this season is about Greg Robinson because unless he can right this program and save his job, his legacy will be as follows:
As the man who oversaw the most barren period in modern Syracuse football history. A mistake. One the dwindling crowds coming out to the Carrier Dome would like to forget.
He's had to change the culture since he got here. Some didn't want to be a part of it. Lamar McPherson, who committed when Pasqualoni was coach, found that out quickly.
McPherson said Robinson's new west coast offense didn't fit McPherson, who honed his physical style playing for Bishop McDevitt High School in Wyncote, Pa.
"When I got there, Coach Robinson, his philosophy was totally different," McPherson said this summer. "It was his first time being a coach, and I didn't want my career being kind of like a guinea pig, somebody testing.
"I needed development, and I think it was more for like NFL. I needed a lot more development. Stuff that made me good, like my physicality and my effort. I'm not a flashy player. I'm a blue-collar, east coast player. I think he's looking for five-star type of recruit."
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