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[QUOTE="RF2044, post: 605924, member: 40"]
You've been clear / consistent about your feelings on Marrone--not going to try to change your mind. But I disagree with your top assertion. I think people still continue to underestimate how big of a reclamation project this program rebuild was. Marrone made them instantly more competitive, even with depleted depth.
 
Not in any way suggesting that he was perfect. There were lots of areas that were frustrating as hell--special teams, for example. He also struggled with some game day / sideline stuff--but I understand why, since he'd never been a head coach and needed to figure some things out [he also got better over his tenure].
 
But he got a LOT more out of his players than the previous head coach, and did a solid job on the recruiting trail. Team size / speed / athleticism also improved. I also wonder how much of the "boring" offense early on was related to personnel limitations that started to be less pronounced last year.
 
I agree with Chip above--he was the right guy at the time to take on the rebuild, and I have to believe that with two bowl appearances / victories in four years, he righted the ship. His departure was ugly, no question about that. But ultimately, I think his "legacy" in the minds of SU fans will depend on how Shaffer does. If Shaffer succeeds, then the hard feelings will ebb and Marrone will be viewed favorably in the minds of most SU fans for turning things around when we were at our low point. If Shaffer fails, then Marrone will be blamed for leaving "too early," when the program was in a precarious position, and not sticking around to finish the job.
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