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The Daily OrangeFB | Time to act
Firing Robinson now gives Gross the head start he needs
By Matt Gelb
Posted: 11/17/08, 10:36 PM EST Section: Sports
It's all about the timing. Now Gross can publicly interview whomever he'd like, or even use intermediaries, like coaching consultants, former alumni or the media, to gauge interest in potential candidates. Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall,
proclaimed by some outlets as the favorite, told The Day (Conn.) newspaper on Monday he is not interested in the Syracuse job.
Edsall, who's known to stretch the truth with the media when it comes to reporting injuries, could be bluffing. But without firing Robinson, this discussion wouldn't be happening publicly.
Gross needs to know if his candidate is committed - and quick. The next coach at Syracuse must be in place before the bowl season begins. Simply, SU can't afford to lose another recruiting class.
Currently, depending on the recruiting site, Syracuse has between four and six verbal commitments. One verbal commit, Raheem Cardwell, told The Daily Orange on Sunday that he is "exploring his options." He will wait and see who the next head coach at Syracuse is until he makes a firm decision and assuredly, he isn't the only recruit doing so. National Letter of Intent Day is Feb. 4, 2009.
This is a major lesson Gross learned from his first hire. Timing is everything, especially when it comes to recruiting.
"It's great," Gross said of the head start on finding a new coach. "It's fabulous. It gives us a chance to recruit. It gives us a chance to recruit and recruit well instead of rushing."
Robinson inherited a team in 2005 that had tied for the Big East regular-season title in 2004. Syracuse won one game - against Buffalo - in Robinson's first year. He had little time to prepare for spring ball, let alone convince every verbal commitment under Pasqualoni to stay in the fold. Ray Rice and Courtney Greene left for Rutgers and Cordarrow Thompson went to Virginia Tech.
Because Robinson was hired so late, the pool for his staff was depleted. Robinson wanted Mitch Browning to serve as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2005, but Browning turned down the offer and didn't join the staff until this season. So Robinson turned to Brian Pariani, who had never been more than a tight ends coach in the NFL, to install the West Coast offense in a matter of months. Needless to say, it didn't go well.
It all trickles down, and that's why Gross knows how important time is. The last four years of losing must be an important lesson to the always-proud Gross. Before Syracuse, he was a part of national championships at Southern Cal. Now, in Central New York, his team loses to Akron.
"God has a way of balancing things in life," Gross said. "Before I came here, I was sitting on that platform with the crystal ball trophy and life was good in the football world. You win two national championships and then you go through this and it's quite humbling.
"It took us about 10 years (at USC). I don't want to wait 10 years. We want to get this thing going fast."
It's year five. The clock is ticking.
Matt Gelb is a staff writer at The Daily Orange, where his columns appear occasionally. He covered the football team last season while serving as sports editor. He can be reached at magelb@syr.edu.
proclaimed by some outlets as the favorite, told The Day (Conn.) newspaper on Monday he is not interested in the Syracuse job.
Edsall, who's known to stretch the truth with the media when it comes to reporting injuries, could be bluffing. But without firing Robinson, this discussion wouldn't be happening publicly.
Gross needs to know if his candidate is committed - and quick. The next coach at Syracuse must be in place before the bowl season begins. Simply, SU can't afford to lose another recruiting class.
Currently, depending on the recruiting site, Syracuse has between four and six verbal commitments. One verbal commit, Raheem Cardwell, told The Daily Orange on Sunday that he is "exploring his options." He will wait and see who the next head coach at Syracuse is until he makes a firm decision and assuredly, he isn't the only recruit doing so. National Letter of Intent Day is Feb. 4, 2009.
This is a major lesson Gross learned from his first hire. Timing is everything, especially when it comes to recruiting.
"It's great," Gross said of the head start on finding a new coach. "It's fabulous. It gives us a chance to recruit. It gives us a chance to recruit and recruit well instead of rushing."
Robinson inherited a team in 2005 that had tied for the Big East regular-season title in 2004. Syracuse won one game - against Buffalo - in Robinson's first year. He had little time to prepare for spring ball, let alone convince every verbal commitment under Pasqualoni to stay in the fold. Ray Rice and Courtney Greene left for Rutgers and Cordarrow Thompson went to Virginia Tech.
Because Robinson was hired so late, the pool for his staff was depleted. Robinson wanted Mitch Browning to serve as assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2005, but Browning turned down the offer and didn't join the staff until this season. So Robinson turned to Brian Pariani, who had never been more than a tight ends coach in the NFL, to install the West Coast offense in a matter of months. Needless to say, it didn't go well.
It all trickles down, and that's why Gross knows how important time is. The last four years of losing must be an important lesson to the always-proud Gross. Before Syracuse, he was a part of national championships at Southern Cal. Now, in Central New York, his team loses to Akron.
"God has a way of balancing things in life," Gross said. "Before I came here, I was sitting on that platform with the crystal ball trophy and life was good in the football world. You win two national championships and then you go through this and it's quite humbling.
"It took us about 10 years (at USC). I don't want to wait 10 years. We want to get this thing going fast."
It's year five. The clock is ticking.
Matt Gelb is a staff writer at The Daily Orange, where his columns appear occasionally. He covered the football team last season while serving as sports editor. He can be reached at magelb@syr.edu.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Joel Rosenbaum
posted 11/18/08 @ 9:09 AM EST
Most SU Alums would be happy right now with Paul Pasqualoni and his record of winning about 50% of his FB games, and a pretty good record for recruiting new talent. (Continued…)
BMatthews
posted 11/19/08 @ 12:12 AM EST
Let me start by saying that I'm an alum. I'm from Syracuse. I grew up in the Carrier Dome, and I absolutely bleed Orange.
But I have turned down repeated requests to donate time and money to the University and will continue to do so until Dr. (Continued…)
Drew
posted 11/19/08 @ 12:23 AM EST
Doesn't Gross look like Sam Cassell's long-lost alien brother?
Alan Greenberg
posted 11/19/08 @ 1:17 AM EST
I am an alum who needs to vent. My distain and anger begin with Nancy Cantor and move on to Gross and Robinson.
Does anyone remember newly appointed Chancellor Cantor publicly endorsing Coach "P" and promising to retain him? To call her dishonest and lacking character would be an insult to those who are dishonest and lack character. (Continued…)
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