A big THANK YOU and well wishes to Shaf & Co

[Rocco]

Today was inevitable, especially after the last few weeks, but it utterly blows none the less. Lots of melancholy for me personally. I realize that this was the right move and I support it, but I feel absolutely awful about it. Maybe it was because I got to know some of these guys and they weren't able to leave on their own terms, it just sucks. When Shafer got promoted to HC, it seemed to make sense at a time when we were on the rebuilding track and had a lot of moving pieces heading into ACC play for the first time. He was a consistent face amongst the players and was able to keep the team together. Fast forward three years later, and it just wasn't meant to be. In this day and age, the big business of college football is all about wins and losses, and our record over the last 3 seasons speaks for itself.

At the end of the day though, Shafer and every single one of his assistants were great guys. They always made time to chat with you, believed in the family-first mentality and regardless what former players say, really had their players' backs and support. It was ingrained into this team. "Protect your brother next to you." Parents of recruits and players knew they could trust Shafer and his assistants to act as fathers to these young kids, many over a thousand miles away. As a father myself, that is an invaluable trait and one that I deeply, deeply respect. They worked diligently off the field to teach these guys how to be quality young men in all aspects of life, not just on the football field. They will be better men for having been mentored by Scott and they should be thankful for that.

This is a brutal industry to be in. I just can't imagine. When you're winning, you're loved. When you're losing, not so much. These guys get paid the big bucks to deal with that payoff. Unfortunately for them, it is likely they will all be looking for another job, which means they have to uproot their families and travel to wherever they land next. It blows and has to be incredibly taxing on their personal lives. I was long the all-in Shafer supporter, but this year and especially after the LSU game, he just showed that he was in over his head. Nevermind the key injuries, it was some of the baffling in-game coaching decisions that left us confused. Now it is in Coyle's hands to right the ship.

Thanks for all of the hard work, perseverance, true grit and effort. Thanks for being leaders, mentors and father figures to these quality young men. Thanks for always being blunt and to the point versus playing the coaches' speak angle. It didn't work out here, but there is no doubt that many of these guys will land on their feet and do great things in the future. I hope a few of the assistants get retained, but that is out of their hands.

Thank you, Coach Shafer and Co. Best of luck to all of you.

 

[GoSU96]

Today was inevitable, especially after the last few weeks, but it utterly blows none the less. Lots of melancholy for me personally. I realize that this was the right move and I support it, but I feel absolutely awful about it. Maybe it was because I got to know some of these guys and they weren't able to leave on their own terms, it just sucks. When Shafer got promoted to HC, it seemed to make sense at a time when we were on the rebuilding track and had a lot of moving pieces heading into ACC play for the first time. He was a consistent face amongst the players and was able to keep the team together. Fast forward three years later, and it just wasn't meant to be. In this day and age, the big business of college football is all about wins and losses, and our record over the last 3 seasons speaks for itself.

At the end of the day though, Shafer and every single one of his assistants were great guys. They always made time to chat with you, believed in the family-first mentality and regardless what former players say, really had their players' backs and support. It was ingrained into this team. "Protect your brother next to you." Parents of recruits and players knew they could trust Shafer and his assistants to act as fathers to these young kids, many over a thousand miles away. As a father myself, that is an invaluable trait and one that I deeply, deeply respect. They worked diligently off the field to teach these guys how to be quality young men in all aspects of life, not just on the football field. They will be better men for having been mentored by Scott and they should be thankful for that.

This is a brutal industry to be in. I just can't imagine. When you're winning, you're loved. When you're losing, not so much. These guys get paid the big bucks to deal with that payoff. Unfortunately for them, it is likely they will all be looking for another job, which means they have to uproot their families and travel to wherever they land next. It blows and has to be incredibly taxing on their personal lives. I was long the all-in Shafer supporter, but this year and especially after the LSU game, he just showed that he was in over his head. Nevermind the key injuries, it was some of the baffling in-game coaching decisions that left us confused. Now it is in Coyle's hands to right the ship.

Thanks for all of the hard work, perseverance, true grit and effort. Thanks for being leaders, mentors and father figures to these quality young men. Thanks for always being blunt and to the point versus playing the coaches' speak angle. It didn't work out here, but there is no doubt that many of these guys will land on their feet and do great things in the future. I hope a few of the assistants get retained, but that is out of their hands.

Thank you, Coach Shafer and Co. Best of luck to all of you.

Same here.

 

[RF2044]

Nicely stated.

 

[Toga]

Great post. Being married to a football coach must be brutal. At the HC level, the money is great but you read negative stuff in the papers or online. Families of position coaches have it even worse. Often have non-guaranteed contracts and if you look at the resumes of college football coaches - it's a nomadic life in which you move like every two years. I mean there's worse things in the world but it's a tough lifestyle you are signing on to.

 

[Louie and Bouie]

The campaign for elimination followed by the heart-felt thank you. Classic.

 

[Rocco]

The campaign for elimination followed by the heart-felt thank you. Classic.

Jekyll & Hyde... I guess I am. :noidea:

 

[MaxwellCuse]

Well done. I'll jump on that bandwagon.

 

[RandygoCuse]

Well put. I think SS would be a great head coach at the d2 or d3 level - I don't mean that as a dig. The kids love him and play hard for him. He runs a clean program and the kids graduate. At a smaller college, I think he'd be loved by players, their parents, and those at the school.

 

[CousCuse]

Brutus felt bad about stabbing Ceaser .

 

[orange79]

The campaign for elimination followed by the heart-felt thank you. Classic.

For very many people, this was never personal. Those feelings are not mutually exclusive.

 

[Cusester]

The campaign for elimination followed by the heart-felt thank you. Classic.

That's way too harsh. Rocco gave his opinion and nothing more. Bad post.

 

[sutomcat]

Nice post.

Coach Shafer and Coach Lea are great people who did some extraordinary things to help motivate Orangeyes to get better and to make him feel special when he was really struggling with an awful illness.

They didn't do it for a photo op or press, in fact, they didn't want the media involved at all. Personal kindness, thoughtfulness, loyalty and consideration for others are great qualities and I wish they made these guys as success as football coaches as they are successful at being good friends, husbands and people in general.

I hope they find places where they can be happy and their employees will value what they bring to the table. Those two, and I am sure the rest of Coach Shafer's staff are winners in life, and in the final analysis, that is the most important thing.

Good luck guys. I appreciate everything you do and how hard you tried to make it work here. I believe a lot of what you built will be fully realized by the next coaching staff.

 

[Orijinal]

Honestly, who do any of you people think we are gonna get as the next head coach? Shafer did everything right except putting more wins in the column. He coached in the ACC. Marrone, P, and GRob never had to. He played top 10 teams tough twice this year while playing 6 or 7 different quarterbacks over the last 2 years. He dealt with all sorts of injuries, including up to the present moment--again, because of playing in a larger faster league. He could recruit. Period. This team has so much fantastic young talent it's ridiculous. And he was getting a jump on 2017. What coach was getting commitments and getting that far ahead of the game in the past?

The academics speak for themselves. Who you gonna get? You all wanted to replace this coach because he decided to punt on 4th downs?? A few game time decisions you didn't agree with? Who you gonna get? Every coach deserves four years. Coach Shafer would have stayed for life. Who else is gonna do that? The original poster said it himself: Shafer was invaluable as a father figure and mentor aff the field. Mark Coyle better get this hire right. I mean he better have made this move KNOWING who he was going to get. But you all will be moaning in year 3 of this next head coach because he won't make the decisions you want, will have off the field issues with players, will speak in coach speak at every presser, and you'll be jumping on Coyle for the hire he made, thinking the next person will do it for you.

I'm a little pissed at this. Change in leadership? Shafer was a leader in every way except for the win column. But that's all you people can see. The win column. So be it. Coyle swoops in knowing very little about Syracuse and is gonna right everything. He better. Because he won't last long either if he doesn't.

 

[Louie and Bouie]

For very many people, this was never personal. Those feelings are not mutually exclusive.

It rings very hollow on the same board where there was a concerted effort to get rid of him. That's my take.

 

[Rocco]

Hard-nosed... he will persevere somewhere else.

 

[Rocco]

It rings very hollow on the same board where there was a concerted effort to get rid of him. That's my take.

I was one of the biggest supporters right until a few weeks ago, when even my eternal optimism, couldn't overcome some of the in-game mistakes.

A change needed to be made, but it doesn't mean that we can't feel bad for the guy. He is a great dude, was just in over his head and with a newly hired AD, did not have the time to turn it around.

 

[TheCusian]

I was one of the biggest supporters right until a few weeks ago, when even my eternal optimism, couldn't overcome some of the in-game mistakes. A change needed to be made, but it doesn't mean that we can't feel bad for the guy. He is a great dude, was just in over his head and with a newly hired AD, did not have the time to turn it around.

Exactly.

 

[OrangeOnions]

I too was one of Shafer's biggest supporters, and still am in some regards. I believe he was getting closer to turning this around. I think in a couple of years we will continue to reap the rewards of his players on this team along with his fighting spirit. I believe he will land on his feet and find a home coaching where he is once again loved and respected.

I know that he was amazing to our family while my father was hospitalized. He spent hours with my father talking about Syracuse, football and life. It meant a great deal to my father. Like Tomcat said, he never did it for any other reason than he cared. Every time we saw Coach he took the time to talk with my children, my wife, mother, sister and niece. He offered ongoing support after my father passed and his wife Missy was amazingly gracious and supportive to my mother.

Best wishes to the Shafer Family. I salute you for your contributions to my family, this community and as a defensive coordinator and HC at my alma mater.

 

[RICuse44]

I hope Shafe takes next year off and enjoys Wolfgang's senior season at Ithaca. Probably one of the worst things about coaching is never getting to see your own kids play.

 

[Rocco]

I hope Shafe takes next year off and enjoys Wolfgang's senior season at Ithaca. Probably one of the worst things about coaching is never getting to see your own kids play.

That would be nice, but I see Shaf as a DC some place next year. Just hope it's not in the ACC.

 

[Scooch]

Honestly, who do any of you people think we are gonna get as the next head coach? Shafer did everything right except putting more wins in the column. He coached in the ACC. Marrone, P, and GRob never had to. He played top 10 teams tough twice this year while playing 6 or 7 different quarterbacks over the last 2 years. He dealt with all sorts of injuries, including up to the present moment--again, because of playing in a larger faster league. He could recruit. Period. This team has so much fantastic young talent it's ridiculous. And he was getting a jump on 2017. What coach was getting commitments and getting that far ahead of the game in the past?

The academics speak for themselves. Who you gonna get? You all wanted to replace this coach because he decided to punt on 4th downs?? A few game time decisions you didn't agree with? Who you gonna get? Every coach deserves four years. Coach Shafer would have stayed for life. Who else is gonna do that? The original poster said it himself: Shafer was invaluable as a father figure and mentor aff the field. Mark Coyle better get this hire right. I mean he better have made this move KNOWING who he was going to get. But you all will be moaning in year 3 of this next head coach because he won't make the decisions you want, will have off the field issues with players, will speak in coach speak at every presser, and you'll be jumping on Coyle for the hire he made, thinking the next person will do it for you.

I'm a little pissed at this. Change in leadership? Shafer was a leader in every way except for the win column. But that's all you people can see. The win column. So be it. Coyle swoops in knowing very little about Syracuse and is gonna right everything. He better. Because he won't last long either if he doesn't.

Like it or not, its the wins that matter. No offense, but there are levels well below P5 where wins don't matter nearly as much, and coaches have the time and space to lead in the ways you describe. But P5 football is about winning. It's fine to be pissed, Shafer deserves some supporters. But let's not be naive about what really matters in this sport at this level.

 

[Scooch]

Good post, Rocco.

 

[RoofBeam]

There is nothing inconsistent about recognizing Shafer's deficiencies as a head coach while acknowledging the good work that he did at SU along with his decency, good intentions and effort. A change needed to be made. These transitions are difficult for everyone. Coyle will make a good decision and the program will be improved in the long term.

 

[Rocco]

 

[OrangePA]

Good post