ESPN: Syracuse AD John Wildhack: 'Not even at the tip of the iceberg'

[OrangeXtreme]

John Wildhack took over as Syracuse athletics director just prior to the season and, as he noted, "every day I'm learning a little more." But two months into the job, he's gotten a good feel for the football issues facing the program. We caught up with Wildhack to talk big-pictures issues for the Orange...

Syracuse AD John Wildhack: 'Not even at the tip of the iceberg'

 

[TheCusian]

John Wildhack took over as Syracuse athletics director just prior to the season and, as he noted, "every day I'm learning a little more." But two months into the job, he's gotten a good feel for the football issues facing the program. We caught up with Wildhack to talk big-pictures issues for the Orange...

Syracuse AD John Wildhack: 'Not even at the tip of the iceberg'

Every time Wildhack or Babers talks I thank the heavens it's not Doc and Gerg.

 

[texascpa]

Babers has at least four years according to Wildhack. That's good news.

 

[WeeWoo]

I think we finally have true leaders in all the key positions! The foundations to success are being laid. We just have to be patient. I know this isn't what most want more waiting but I truly feel that for the first time in years from the chancellor down to HCDB there is a true vision on how to turn this thing around. It may take another couple of seasons, I just want to see us moving in the right direction.

 

[Lou_C]

Wow. I know I like to style myself as the arbiter of "who gets it" too often...but this guys definitely gets it. Gets the 8 game schedule, gets the appropriate scheduling philosophy, gets what has to be built by Babers.

It's yet to be seen obviously whether the guy can run an athletic department, but talk about saying all the right things. Good for Syracuse, but also very good for the ACC to have another strong athletic director with the right vision.

 

[GoSU96]

John Wildhack took over as Syracuse athletics director just prior to the season and, as he noted, "every day I'm learning a little more." But two months into the job, he's gotten a good feel for the football issues facing the program. We caught up with Wildhack to talk big-pictures issues for the Orange...

Syracuse AD John Wildhack: 'Not even at the tip of the iceberg'

In the right hands

 

[TexanMark]

One little nugget:. We as a league can continue to play ACC opponents as a (9th) noncounter conference game.

 

[SUfaninAZ]

Did he forget to mention Wisconsin or did that end up not happening ?

 

[Chris02M]

its on fbs schedules and the schedule dropdown menu here

 

[DPCuse]

I'm so glad to hear Wildhack say he's got years to recruit and get his system and players in place. We can not afford to start over yet again.

 

[Finwad32]

I don't believe that in any way, shape or form is the concern wether or not Syracuse will give Dino enough time.

 

[omniorange]

Wow. I know I like to style myself as the arbiter of "who gets it" too often...but this guys definitely gets it. Gets the 8 game schedule, gets the appropriate scheduling philosophy, gets what has to be built by Babers.

It's yet to be seen obviously whether the guy can run an athletic department, but talk about saying all the right things. Good for Syracuse, but also very good for the ACC to have another strong athletic director with the right vision.

Agreed, he gets it. As for the highlighted statement...

Fortunately, other than football, our athletic department is top notch and could run itself in the other sports. And I believe both he and the administration understand the need to try and keep up with the Joneses as much as reasonably possible in terms of facilities. Only thing left to determine is fund-raising and coaching hires/fires.

Cheers,
Neil

 

[TheCusian]

Agreed, he gets it. As for the highlighted statement...

Fortunately, other than football, our athletic department is top notch and could run itself in the other sports. And I believe both he and the administration understand the need to try and keep up with the Joneses as much as reasonably possible in terms of facilities. Only thing left to determine is fund-raising and coaching hires/fires.

Cheers,
Neil

Agree for the most part... but there are some loose ends in game day experience, marketing, and overall fan experience.

 

[orangecuse]

One little nugget:. We as a league can continue to play ACC opponents as a (9th) noncounter conference game.

I don't see that necessarily as a plus, at least at quick glance. My initial thinking is that if we ever get good enough to potentially challenge for an ACC title, or any ACC team for that matter, I can see where an early season loss to a conference team (even though pretending -per the schedule- it's not one this year) potentially being problematic, especially from a national playoff perspective.

 

[tipphill]

Agree for the most part... but there are some loose ends in game day experience, marketing, and overall fan experience.

if we win that will help

 

[AlaskaSU]

Obtaining contributions for a palatial athletic dorm should be a high priority. It should go hand in hand with Dome renovation. It will help recruiting for basketball in light of the fact that it might become a bit more problematic when JB retires. It is also mandatory if we are to overcome our disadvantages in football recruiting.

 

[HtownOrange]

I love this nugget:

"What we're not going to do is look to play two games against FCS opponents."

Thank you, J. Wildhack. No need to go full Rutgers in scheduling philosophy.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I am led to understand that a new soccer stadium may be upcoming soon. They are over capacity almost every game and can't announce actual crowds for fear of being fines for fire code violations.
The grass field needs to be replaced as well.