Jeff Nixon: The Unsung Hero

[Symphony Steve]

Not only did he craft an explosive offense that absolutely suited the talent on the team, he crafted an offense that has made SU a destination for offensive playmakers.

He also raised the profile of several players who may well have NFL futures thanks to the performance of this offense.

After 28 years, perhaps he's found a place he'd like to stay, although I doubt it.

I'm sure we'll do all we can to retain him but, regardless, I'm sure happy he came here this year.

 

[Trueblue25]

His first play call vs VT (pretty sure it was VT) in overtime was more marvelous than the great wall of china. China could never.

 

[HRE Otto IV]

He has had a huge impact. I really want to see him here in 2026 when we can make another run at a 10 win season and maybe even the playoffs.

 

[upperdeck]

The hope is that we find a running game as well and then we really see it hum.

 

[Archimedes]

The Pena jet sweep to close out the Miami game is one of my all-time favorite play calls. Dude is awesome.

 

[cali315phan]

Love him and love his play calling. I'm hoping and praying we get him and McCord back for another year. I gotta imagine he's going to be a prime candidate for a HC job this year though.

 

[upperdeck]

good money in being an OC without 90% of the HC headaches as well.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Love him and love his play calling. I'm hoping and praying we get him and McCord back for another year. I gotta imagine he's going to be a prime candidate for a HC job this year though.

HC/OC silly season for 2024 is pretty much over. Would hope that Fran and Nixon are both going to go home and find another floor added to their houses after what we saw this fall. (Please let me know if you get the reference.)

 

[MSOrange]

HC/OC silly season for 2024 is pretty much over. Would hope that Fran and Nixon are both going to go home and find another floor added to their houses after what we saw this fall. (Please let me know if you get the reference.)

Agree. I was just googling to see what college jobs were still open. Anyone still hiring now is really behind. I think we're safe for this season.

 

[Franz69]

Nixon's daughter is a soccer player and just transferred to Syracuse after spending her freshman year at Kentucky. I would imagine Nixon will be here for a while.

 

[OttoinGrotto]

The Jeff Nixon/Kyle McCord combo was magical.

 

[SmilinBob]

Nixon was terrible. Worst coach ever. Hard to work with and is rude to children and kicks puppies. No other school should touch him with a 10 foot pole.

 

[rocklloyd]

Jeff and I have a thing at the start of second half for each home game when he is walking back up to coaches box. I say “let’s go Jeff!” And he says “yep”.

its almost as if we are buddies.

 

[Franz69]

Jeff and I have a thing at the start of second half for each home game when he is walking back up to coaches box. I say “let’s go Jeff!” And he says “yep”.

its almost as if we are buddies.

Can you coach special teams?

 

[Archimedes]

Nixon did a great job of spreading the ball around too. Everyone got looks, which means everyone stayed happy. That's very important to the culture.

 

[JackBauer44]

Love him. He has a great feel to calling plays. We are lucky to have him.

 

[hoopsupstate]

good money in being an OC without 90% of the HC headaches as well.

His son is back next year too. He played very well before he got hurt.

 

[tep624]

If we can find the special teams version of Jeff Nixon we’ll be unstoppable!

He did a hell of a job this season and it appears he’s planting roots which is exciting. Maybe he can be Fran’s Coach Deleone for this ride!

 

[Scooch]

He did a fantastic job this season. One of the all time best seasons by an OC in modern SU history.

OC is a thankless job where fans bitch and moan constantly. He shut them up repeatedly. Glorious.

 

[Shenexon]

Nixon made a big contribution to our success this year. Our offense was hard to defend against and though we had the playmakers to execute, Nixon put them in position to succeed. His son was a welcome addition as well…

 

[Archimedes]

He did a fantastic job this season. One of the all time best seasons by an OC in modern SU history.

OC is a thankless job where fans bitch and moan constantly. He shut them up repeatedly. Glorious.

I've watched a lot of bowl games. I'm yet to see a better offense than ours. I'd put our O up against anyone.

 

[Dinkyspond]

The Pena jet sweep to close out the Miami game is one of my all-time favorite play calls. Dude is awesome.

I liked that one call last night on OG's second TD, Allen and OG flared out in same direction, Allen short and OG beyond him. It was like an option pass play, the defender had to pick one, he picked Allen and OG was wide open, no time for help to cover OG. Brilliant.

 

[Archimedes]

I liked that one call last night on OG's second TD, Allen and OG flared out in same direction, Allen short and OG beyond him. It was like an option pass play, the defender had to pick one, he picked Allen and OG was wide open, no time for help to cover OG. Brilliant.

Agreed. I don't know enough about football to say whose the best at running routes but I think our guys might be very good at it. Our receivers always seem to be in precisely the right place (Pena in particular). That play was a good example of precision and positioning.

 

[FRANKIEFAN]

Hopefully we can get 2 more years out of him before he goes back to the NFL or takes a HC gig. Unrealistic to think we can hang onto him much longer he's that good.

His kids being student athletes here hopefully helps and I think if LQA leaves Nixon will get a lot of carries next year.

 

[Crusty]

I always have confidence JN will dial up a good play regardless of down and distance Nice feeling.