The issue is that our "plan" was to develop young men of character/skill, supplementing with the portal along the way. The reality is that the most talented young men of character/skill can get more money elsewhere. Fran was able to sell a bunch into coming for Year 1 and all but 3-4 into staying for Year 2.
But the way Fran mismanaged the 2025 season--from leaving points off the board, obviously fake injuries, UConn P.R. stunt backlash, mishandling the QBs/QB room post-Angeli, screwing up the end of the first half against Pitt, not being able to force the offense to adapt to something to keep us competitive, the Notre Dame debacle, and losing to 1-10 B.C... not sure anyone can wonder why some kids in the locker room began to doubt Fran's ability to work wonders. Look at the game threads between Pitt and BC. How many of us went from extend Fran to "yikes" in 2 months. How many kids have family members watching the same train wreck, only with the family/financial concerns?
This is why you cannot ever, ever, ever in college sports where there are no draft picks... tank games. Giving Filardi meaningful PT = acceptable. Starting Filardi in 3 games... unacceptable. We were embarrassed twice on national TV... UNC and ND. Fortunately, few were watching the third game embarrassment against 1-10 BC.
For comparison... Greg Robinson was 3-0 against teams with 2 or 1 wins. Other than 2020, the last time Syracuse lost to a 2-win team was 2004... Coach P's final season where we lost to 2-9 Temple. He was fired after the season (in a stupid way, of course). Coach P also did it to Rutgers in 1999. That was the beginning of the end for him as it gave life to Rutgers. At least those games were on the road. Dick Mac never lost to a 1-2 win team. Frank Maloney did it twice though... one was at home. Another coach that was fired.