Syracuse Alumni Want To Fire Coach, Name New One

With all the hubbub over a couple of losses locally, is anyone surprised by what some fans will do to try to get their team back on the winning track? Losing is not fun but common sense should be the guiding principle.

A former group of former Syracuse players, including fullback Ron Konrad, has petitioned Syracuse University to have Coach Greg Robinson fired and replaced by Florida offensive line coach Steve Addazio. The group sent an e-mail to the school’s president and athletic director recommending Addazio, an assistant at Syracuse from 1995-98. Some excerpts:

“Greg is a quality individual with a deep understanding of defensive football. Should he be relieved of his position with the University, I’m certain that he will continue his coaching career with success. It’s my contention the failings of the program are due more directly to a general lack of understanding of the environment in which to operate a successful program at Syracuse University …

“During our group discussions regarding coaching candidates, we have consistently arrived at one individual who as a head coach at Syracuse would fill the critical needs of the program addressed above. Steve Addazio is currently the Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach of the University of Florida … Besides coaching at the pinnacle of college football, local knowledge and motivational attributes, considering his past ties to the University, he may come a reasonable price tag …”

The problem was that Konrad made the mistake of sending a copy of the e-mail to The Axman, a Syracuse blog which, of course, made the note public. It might have been a constructive approach had they not gone overboard in wanting credit for the move.

By seeking the public notoriety, they have embarrassed the current coach, the university and the individual they wanted to be their next head coach. These things are better done in private. Addazio may wind up as the next coach, but Konrad’s group won’t get much of the credit.