Wildhack Press Conference | Dec 18

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

John Wildhack on outgoing ACC commish John Swofford: "He's a class person. ... John has been incredibly loyal and passionate about the ACC. ... I thank John for his service and his stellar tenure."

Wildhack speaks highly of Jim Phillips as next ACC commish and credits SU chancellor Kent Syverud and the rest of the hiring group.

Wildhack on to football in his opening statement. Reminds everyone that only Syracuse and BC completed an 11-game season without a positive Covid-19 test. "The last positive test we've had in football was July 1." SU has done 7,000+ tests since then, all negative.

Syracuse AD John Wildhack on head football coach Dino Babers: "First of all, the proverbial hot seat, take that and just delete it. Dino's going to be our coach in 2021 and I hope he's going to be our coach for a long time."

Wildhack points to offseason player development as a key: "We need time to develop this team."

Wildhack said he's already had his postseason meeting with Babers (they also meet weekly during the season). They talked for 2-2.5 hours last Monday.

Wildhack said a standard football offseason is the plan. When players return from winter break in January, they'll go back into testing protocol, begin classes and start winter conditioning. "We hope to do that for as long as we possibly can and have a traditional offseason."

Wildhack said spring practice is in the plans for now. "There's a caveat attached to everything, as we all know right now."

Wildhack on athletic department books: "We're in no different position than any athletic department in the country." Spending freeze since spring is ongoing ("only on an as-needed basis").

Wildhack pointed to 2020 season-ticket holders who chose to donate their down payment as well as those who rolled over the funds toward 2021. "That certainly helps." Still, "there's no question it has an impact on your budget."

Good questions from @aadelsonESPN on testing frequency/vaccines. Wildhack said he doesn't know about vaccine accessibility. "I'm not counting on that as we look at the spring semester." Wildhack said SU is currently testing once per week out of season, but that is not final.

Wildhack said he's looking for "development" from the football program. "How do we get them in the strength and conditioning program, get them bigger, get them stronger? How do we develop their football skills?"

Wildhack on 2020 football issues: "We struggled mightily on offense. That's no secret." Points to run/pass on offense and run D, which was improved late in the season.

Wildhack said both men's and women's lacrosse teams are "ready to come back, as scheduled." SU will follow NYS guidelines in doing that. "I think all our spring sports are really anxious to come back" after shortened/canceled seasons.

Wildhack is asked about Syracuse basketball players being asked to stay on campus over winter break. "The risk of sending them home for a 72-hour period and then bringing them back... we saw what happened with the post-Thanksgiving surge."

Wildhack said players have had an open door throughout this to opt out and remain on scholarship. Some football players took that (Cooper Dawson, Abdul Adams, Jarveon Howard).

Wildhack said there is discussion about rescheduling basketball games on ACC AD calls. "There will be limited opportunity." Hoops schedule wasn't built like football, to leave extra weeks for games to be moved.

Wildhack said the ACC basketball schedule is tighter because the NCAA Tournament didn't move. Football had three weeks of buffer.

Wildhack on Carrier Dome renovations: "We continue. I can't wait until we have fans in there and our fans can experience it. I think it really will be a totally new environment for them. When you walk in the building now, everything just pops."

Wildhack continued: AC work will be done in 2021. Concession stands and restroom upgrades are still on the to-do list. "That work continues to occur. ... It's not on hold."

Wildhack on seating changes: "That's down the road. We don't have a timetable for that."

Wildhack on financial impact of Covid-19 testing: "We never once candidly in our discussions... price was not an issue. It was, 'What do we need to do to get the appropriate PCR testing' to ensure player safety?

Wildhack said football staff changes will be up to Dino Babers. No insight there as to what level of turnover should be expected.

Wildhack talking football scheduling now. Said he likes the eight-game conference slate. Gives teams leeway for non-con rivalries. Re divisions: "That will be discussed. ... I think we need to figure out ways we can play each other a little more frequently."

Wildhack said it doesn't make sense to him to host Miami once every 12 years. Wants to find a way to play Coastal teams more frequently. "That's one man's opinion."

Wildhack on football growth: "Addressing our deficiencies. We know where we struggled. ... If those are corrected, I think we can get this thing turned around and turned around in short order."

Wildhack continued: "Like every other school, we're scouring the transfer portal."

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[OrangeXtreme]

 

[syrBossHogg]

Brace yourselves.

Pods are coming

 

[FloridaFan]

Only scouring the portal. We need to POUND the PORTAL

 

[IthacaBarrel]

Would have been great if ADJW said, like every other school we are - ing pounding the portal! and started pounding his fist on the podium

In addition when asked about Dino and the football team, "9 wins next year or hit the road, NO EXCUSES!"

 

[Trueblue25]

He’s a great AD and I maintain full trust in him.

 

[SkyTopBus44]

"Like every other school" is kind of a built in excuse we don't land anyone from the portal.

 

[Modern Coac]

He’s a great AD and I maintain full trust in him.

This AD has overseen a 6-17 football program the past two years and tied up this head coach with an unpalatable $17 million buyout in a contract restructure.

Please explain to me how that equals, "great AD"? I've got some other descriptions.

 

[syrBossHogg]

"Like every other school" is kind of a built in excuse we don't land anyone from the portal.

Chris Bleich?
Trishton Jackson?
Abdul Adams?
Koda Martin?

 

[Cusefan69]

This AD has overseen a 6-17 football program the past two years and tied up this head coach with an unpalatable $17 million buyout in a contract restructure.

Please explain to me how that equals, "great AD"? I've got some other descriptions.

Dude you are almost at the level of trolling that Cous is at. Keep practicing and you will get there. Good luck!

 

[Trueblue25]

Chris Bleich?
Trishton Jackson?
Abdul Adams?
Koda Martin?

were Guthrie and Jordan Martin Dino too?

Roscoe

 

[IthacaBarrel]

were Guthrie and Jordan Martin Dino too?

Roscoe

Guthrie was great his senior year, forgot about that kid.

 

[Trueblue25]

This AD has overseen a 6-17 football program the past two years and tied up this head coach with an unpalatable $17 million buyout in a contract restructure.

Please explain to me how that equals, "great AD"? I've got some other descriptions.

In regards to Dino Babers and the Football Program, which is only a fraction of ADJW’s job, ADJW’s heard Dino’s asks and provided to the best of the University’s abilities (improved facilities, expanded recruiting/staff hiring budget, a damn jet). Reading between the lines 2021 is Dino’s turn to show ADJW’s return on investment. I’m not going to selectively ignore a year impacted by a global pandemic. 2019 was disappointing but it takes years to build depth and this rebuilds of greater magnitude than many care to recognize. While these seem like the same old excuses, I’m not sure what we could expect ADJW to do further right now. Extending Dino was the right move in 2018/2019. However, the University cannot realistically fund a buyout of his contract and a national search/hiring of a better candidate. That’s just being realistic. We showed the p5 we care about football by extending Dino as we did and ponying up. Hopefully he turns it around in 2021.

 

[money3189]

This AD has overseen a 6-17 football program the past two years and tied up this head coach with an unpalatable $17 million buyout in a contract restructure.

Please explain to me how that equals, "great AD"? I've got some other descriptions.

Tell me which AD would not have offered this contract to keep a coach who won 10 games at SU? Something that hasnt been done since 2001. Keep in mind other schools wanted to interview Dino.

 

[PhatOrange]

This AD has overseen a 6-17 football program the past two years and tied up this head coach with an unpalatable $17 million buyout in a contract restructure.

Please explain to me how that equals, "great AD"? I've got some other descriptions.

you're well on your way to claiming the top board troll award. bravo.

 

[orangecuse]

"Like every other school" is kind of a built in excuse we don't land anyone from the portal.

Yeah, I can see where that statement can be interpreted as such, or at least where even if we get a body or two, it likely won't be nearly as impactful as desired/needed.

Wildhack said he's looking for "development" from the football program. "How do we get them in the strength and conditioning program, get them bigger, get them stronger? How do we develop their football skills?"

This remark stood out for me somewhat, and not really in a good way. I mean, aren't these expectations simply garden variety type, and one that should be an auto-built given of any football program, especially at this level? Is he honestly asking this? How do we get them in the strength and conditioning program, bigger, stronger, faster, etc.? How do we develop their football skills? Perhaps, I'm reading this incorrectly, but for me, this is a pretty big red flag if our AD and top football brass are asking how to do this vs. the standard knowing, implementing that plan of action, and getting it done.

 

[Trueblue25]

Some of this staffs best class acquisitions have occurred after early signing day.

 

[PhatOrange]

were Guthrie and Jordan Martin Dino too?

Roscoe

Guthrie Juco. Martin and Amba Etta-Tawo were Grad transfers.

 

[Modern Coac]

you're well on your way to claiming the top board troll award. bravo.

No, but I am not a homer either. I don't feel the same way about BB program. There has been very little success in FB. Most of it in one year is attributable to a QB Shafer recruited.

 

[Jack_Ball]

In regards to Dino Babers and the Football Program, which is only a fraction of ADJW’s job, ADJW’s heard Dino’s asks and provided to the best of the University’s abilities (improved facilities, expanded recruiting/staff hiring budget, a damn jet). Reading between the lines 2021 is Dino’s turn to show ADJW’s return on investment. I’m not going to selectively ignore a year impacted by a global pandemic. 2019 was disappointing but it takes years to build depth and this rebuilds of greater magnitude than many care to recognize. While these seem like the same old excuses, I’m not sure what we could expect ADJW to do further right now. Extending Dino was the right move in 2018/2019. However, the University cannot realistically fund a buyout of his contract and a national search/hiring of a better candidate. That’s just being realistic. We showed the p5 we care about football by extending Dino as we did and ponying up. Hopefully he turns it around in 2021.

We showed P5 we care about football by extending Dino then went out and go 1-10? What other P5 job could you go 1-10 in year 5 and keep your job? But don;t worry Wildhack said today it should only be a short turn around to get things back on track?

 

[PhatOrange]

Yeah, I can see where that statement can be interpreted as such, or at least where even if we get a body or two, it likely won't be nearly as impactful as desired/needed.

Wildhack said he's looking for "development" from the football program. "How do we get them in the strength and conditioning program, get them bigger, get them stronger? How do we develop their football skills?"

This remark stood out for me somewhat, and not really in a good way. I mean, are these comments not simply garden variety type, and one that should be an auto-built given of any football program, especially at this level? Is he honestly asking this? How do we get them in the strength and conditioning program, bigger, stronger, faster, etc.? How do we develop their football skills? Perhaps, I'm reading this incorrectly, but for me, this is a pretty big red flag if our AD and top football brass are asking how to do this vs. knowing, implementing that plan of action, and getting it done.

I took it to mean with Covid.

 

[orangecuse]

In regards to Dino Babers and the Football Program, which is only a fraction of ADJW’s job, ADJW’s heard Dino’s asks and provided to the best of the University’s abilities (improved facilities, expanded recruiting/staff hiring budget, a damn jet). Reading between the lines 2021 is Dino’s turn to show ADJW’s return on investment. I’m not going to selectively ignore a year impacted by a global pandemic. 2019 was disappointing but it takes years to build depth and this rebuilds of greater magnitude than many care to recognize. While these seem like the same old excuses, I’m not sure what we could expect ADJW to do further right now. Extending Dino was the right move in 2018/2019. However, the University cannot realistically fund a buyout of his contract and a national search/hiring of a better candidate. That’s just being realistic. We showed the p5 we care about football by extending Dino as we did and ponying up. Hopefully he turns it around in 2021.

It may "only be a fraction," but it's certainly a large one at that. Likely, 7/8ths percentile or higher range for football and hoops overall of any AD at the P5 level. If not, then it kind of speaks for itself.

 

[LeMoyneCuse]

Wildhack on athletic department books: "We're in no different position than any athletic department in the country." Spending freeze since spring is ongoing ("only on an as-needed basis").

Wildhack said football staff changes will be up to Dino Babers. No insight there as to what level of turnover should be expected.

The two critically important things we need to keep in mind going forward.

1) Cuse Athletics is as cash poor as everyone else
2) Wildhack is letting Babers run his program (as he should)