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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
The framed photo sits in Daryl Gross' office on a shelf above his computer, partially hidden by a miniature statue of a Syracuse football player.
It's a well-known shot. A window into a time three years ago when Syracuse football was something more than a punch line in Division I football. When optimism still made its way to the Carrier Dome on fall Saturdays.
There's Greg Robinson, front and center, a smile creeping onto his lips as he slips on an orange hat with "SU" emblazoned on the front.
That hat fit so perfectly then. Robinson had it all: the Pete Carroll connection, the California-bred charisma, those two Super Bowl rings.
Gross is in the picture, too, the then-newly minted athletic directory beaming like a proud father. This was his statement hire. His avowal that a pair of 6-6 seasons weren't going to be good enough under his watch.
But more than anything, this was about Robinson. This picture, this day, this new era of Syracuse football. As Robinson stood at that podium on Jan. 11, 2005 and was introduced as the 27th head coach in Syracuse football history, it was all about him.
***
Greg Robinson doesn't want it to be about him anymore.
Not on this gray morning in August, at Syracuse football's media day. Not after winning seven games in three seasons, tied for the worst such stretch in program history. Not after suffering through all the speculation about his job last year, wondering whether he would get another season to steer this program out of its tailspin.
The memories of last season - those distractions - no doubt lingered with Robinson as he offered a plea for the recorders and television cameras in front of him.
"One thing I would like to say to you is this, and I've talked to our team about this," Robinson said, his voice gathering conviction. "This is not about me. It is not about me. This is about a team, getting ready for a football season. And we're talking about this season, we're not talking about a future season or anything like that.
It's a well-known shot. A window into a time three years ago when Syracuse football was something more than a punch line in Division I football. When optimism still made its way to the Carrier Dome on fall Saturdays.
There's Greg Robinson, front and center, a smile creeping onto his lips as he slips on an orange hat with "SU" emblazoned on the front.
That hat fit so perfectly then. Robinson had it all: the Pete Carroll connection, the California-bred charisma, those two Super Bowl rings.
Gross is in the picture, too, the then-newly minted athletic directory beaming like a proud father. This was his statement hire. His avowal that a pair of 6-6 seasons weren't going to be good enough under his watch.
But more than anything, this was about Robinson. This picture, this day, this new era of Syracuse football. As Robinson stood at that podium on Jan. 11, 2005 and was introduced as the 27th head coach in Syracuse football history, it was all about him.
***
Greg Robinson doesn't want it to be about him anymore.
Not on this gray morning in August, at Syracuse football's media day. Not after winning seven games in three seasons, tied for the worst such stretch in program history. Not after suffering through all the speculation about his job last year, wondering whether he would get another season to steer this program out of its tailspin.
The memories of last season - those distractions - no doubt lingered with Robinson as he offered a plea for the recorders and television cameras in front of him.
"One thing I would like to say to you is this, and I've talked to our team about this," Robinson said, his voice gathering conviction. "This is not about me. It is not about me. This is about a team, getting ready for a football season. And we're talking about this season, we're not talking about a future season or anything like that.
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