Spring Break
The Daily OrangeFB | Robinson's assistants facing uncertain future at Syracuse
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 11/20/08, 1:56 AM EST Section: Sports
Mitch Browning knows what's probably coming. As much as he may want to ignore the truth, a lot could change for Browning in the not-too-distant future.
No sense in denying the inevitable. Such is life in the coaching business.
"A week from Saturday, after that last ballgame, then it's off to finding a job," Browning, Syracuse's offensive coordinator, said.
It's the unfortunate reality for all of the Orange's assistant coaches these days. The moment head coach Greg Robinson was fired, their jobs were cast into doubt as well. Most likely, Robinson's replacement will be given free reign to pick his own assistants, leaving the current staff in a state of limbo.
They all have at least two more games in their positions. Syracuse (2-8, 1-5 Big East) travels to South Bend, Ind., Saturday to take on Notre Dame (2:30 p.m., NBC). On Nov. 29, the Orange takes on Cincinnati in what will be the last game of Robinson's career with Syracuse.
After that, everything is uncertain.
"Heck yeah it is. Absolutely," said SU wide receivers coach Chris White. "We have families and we have to provide for them. We might be moving, finding another job, taking kids out of school. There's a lot that goes into it."
White has gone through this process before at Syracuse. He was the Orange's tight ends coach in 2004 under former head coach Paul Pasqualoni. When Pasqualoni was fired after the season, Robinson kept White on staff.
Derrick Jackson, SU's co-defensive coordinator, was not quite so lucky in 2006 when he was defensive tackles coach at Michigan State. Former Spartans head coach John L. Smith was fired one year into Jackson's tenure. Mark Dantonio, Smith's replacement, chose not to retain Jackson. Robinson hired him for the next season.
Facing the same situation now, Jackson said he hopes Syracuse's next coach is at least willing to talk to the current group of coaches and give them a fair chance to keep their positions.
No sense in denying the inevitable. Such is life in the coaching business.
"A week from Saturday, after that last ballgame, then it's off to finding a job," Browning, Syracuse's offensive coordinator, said.
It's the unfortunate reality for all of the Orange's assistant coaches these days. The moment head coach Greg Robinson was fired, their jobs were cast into doubt as well. Most likely, Robinson's replacement will be given free reign to pick his own assistants, leaving the current staff in a state of limbo.
They all have at least two more games in their positions. Syracuse (2-8, 1-5 Big East) travels to South Bend, Ind., Saturday to take on Notre Dame (2:30 p.m., NBC). On Nov. 29, the Orange takes on Cincinnati in what will be the last game of Robinson's career with Syracuse.
After that, everything is uncertain.
"Heck yeah it is. Absolutely," said SU wide receivers coach Chris White. "We have families and we have to provide for them. We might be moving, finding another job, taking kids out of school. There's a lot that goes into it."
White has gone through this process before at Syracuse. He was the Orange's tight ends coach in 2004 under former head coach Paul Pasqualoni. When Pasqualoni was fired after the season, Robinson kept White on staff.
Derrick Jackson, SU's co-defensive coordinator, was not quite so lucky in 2006 when he was defensive tackles coach at Michigan State. Former Spartans head coach John L. Smith was fired one year into Jackson's tenure. Mark Dantonio, Smith's replacement, chose not to retain Jackson. Robinson hired him for the next season.
Facing the same situation now, Jackson said he hopes Syracuse's next coach is at least willing to talk to the current group of coaches and give them a fair chance to keep their positions.
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