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Message: [QUOTE="OrangePA, post: 5371266, member: 204"] The measure of a major college AD has been and will likely remain his/her ability to support/promote the institution's football program. In our case, the linchpin to the success of the football program is the Dome. Wildhack did what many thought was impossible - he reconfigured the building into a modern and more functional venue and resolved the naming rights dilemma. In doing so, he gave the football program - and the rest of the Athletic Department a chance to compete at a high level into the future. That alone, justifies a positive grade. I have said before and will repeat it - Dino did a solid job. His difficulties at the end resulted from the same issues that have always plagued our football program - lack of quality depth. The COVID crisis - and all of its ramifications - highlighted the deficiency. And, the endless number of season ending injuries that occurred over his last two seasons - when the team started strong - did the same thing. So, I don't think Dino is a true downside. As far as Boeheim is concerned, Wildhack had to traverse a number of hurdles/individuals/political roadblocks. In the end, he facilitated the process quite well. Moving on from a legendary coach who wants to stay is typically not easy and oftentimes very traumatic. See Bob Knight and IU and Woody Hayes an OSU and Joe Paterno and PSU as examples of just how difficult it can be. So, again, I think Wildhack handled it as well as could be expected. The men's basketball story is ongoing. The University was never going to fire Autry after two seasons - SU just does not operate that way. So, we shall see how the program advances in the next few years. I will be the first to admit that I do not pay a lot of attention to the so-called Olympic sports - other than men's soccer. [I'm not sure I can include men's lacrosse in that category]. Those sports are important, but I'm not sure they provide the kind of measuring stick that has been suggested. Dr. Gross spent a lot of time addressing the Olympic sports - and had some success. Jake Crouthamel spent a lot less time on those sports and did not have much success. Most would agree, however, that Jake was a far superior AD than was Gross. As far as the Hillsman situation is concerned, I don't know the details of what occurred on the inside. I can say, however, that I am pretty good friends with a University official who had some responsibility for the women's basketball program - and he was as shocked as any of us over what was eventually disclosed. There will always be weaknesses in every job performance, but in terms of his fundamental responsibility, John Wildhack has done a great job at SU. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?