Football GRob not "cutting it" at Syracuse

Goapics1 · 09-23-2008, 09:20 AM

Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Robinson's time at Syracuse coach appears to be growing short

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By Ivan Maisel
ESPN.com

Syracuse athletics director Dr. Daryl Gross said Monday that the Orange football team has yet to show the "obvious progress" necessary for Greg Robinson to remain as football coach beyond this season.

"It isn't working out," Gross said of Robinson. "It's very disappointing ... He has some work to do out in front of him."

The Orange are 1-3 this season as they prepare for their Big East Conference opener Saturday at home against Pittsburgh. Robinson, in his fourth season at Syracuse, has an overall record of 8-31.

"He isn't going to do anything right now," Robinson, referring to Gross, said Monday night. "I know that. But let me tell you something, we just need to win. We're capable of winning. People don't know it."

Syracuse has a Big East record of 2-22 in the last three seasons. The Orange ended a seven-game losing streak Saturday with a 30-21 defeat of Northeastern, an FCS school.

But Robinson, whose sunny personality seems blindingly bright amid his gloomy fan base, believes the Orange will win soon.

"When it happens, it doesn't gradually happen," Robinson said of success. "It explodes. We're all battling our ass off. I'm really excited about it."

Gross, who came to Syracuse from the USC athletic department in December 2004, has been stung by recent coast-to-coast criticism, including on ESPN's College GameDay, of the program's decline under his watch. He made an unsolicited phone call to ESPN.com to defend himself, citing the university's success in non-revenue sports, ranging from the 2008 NCAA men's lacrosse championship to an Orange field hockey program currently ranked third in the nation.

"We got so many good things going on here," Gross said. "The 800-pound gorilla is football. You and I both know we've been very fair to Coach Robinson. Everyone wanted the guy's head last year. I said I didn't want Syracuse to become one of those three-years-and-out schools. I said, 'Let's calm down and [if needed] we'll get the first pick of the draft [of coaching candidates] next year.' That's where we are."

Gross laughed off speculation that he will hire Lane Kiffin, the Raiders coach rumored to be on his way out in Oakland. The two of them worked together at USC.

Robinson said he is not bitter about such circumstances and that he had no complaints about Gross' reaction to the football team's slow start.

"He's tried to hang in there," Robinson said of Gross. "He gets a lot of crap. I understand it. You know what? It [Syracuse football] ain't as bad as people think. He's feeling pressure ... He's got a political world to live in. My world is not that way."

On Sept. 12, "The Express", a film about the late Ernie Davis, the Orange running back who in 1961 became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, premiered in Syracuse. The following day, Syracuse's former archrival, Penn State, defeated the Orange 55-13 at the Carrier Dome.

What started out as a celebration of the university's rich tradition became a reminder of how far the team has fallen. Robinson's time to lead the Orange out of the hole appears to be growing short.

Ivan Maisel is a senior writer for ESPN.com.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3604094

**RealSNR** · 09-23-2008, 09:23 AM

GRob really is a likeable guy. I wish he didn't suck so much.

Deberg_1990 · 09-23-2008, 09:27 AM

That 2003 defense was actually fairly decent the first half of that year.

They always gave up yards, but they came up with timely turnovers as well.

After that Cinci game that year, they became atrocious.

Redrum_69 · 09-23-2008, 09:32 AM

PRINT'EM!!!

**Gonzo** · 09-23-2008, 09:40 AM

Man, that guy is shit. I wonder why Herm hasn't recruited him yet?

CoMoChief · 09-23-2008, 10:04 AM

He made Derrick Johnson into a star at TX

**Skip Towne** · 09-23-2008, 10:06 AM

Where will he land next? Snow Jr.college?

Goapics1 · 09-23-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip Towne

Where will he land next? Snow Jr.college?

Raiders

shaneo69 · 09-23-2008, 10:24 AM

If there is one guy that I hate almost as much as Carl Peterson, it would be Greg Robinson. Oh, and Elway.

I hope GRob gets to keep his job, just so I can continue

everytime Syracuse plays.

FringeNC · 09-23-2008, 10:52 AM

I thought Greg Robinson was awful defensive coordinator. There is no question now that he is a better DC than Gunther Cunningham, though.

09-23-2008, 09:20 AM
Goapics1 Ghetto Superstar Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Midwest Casino cash: $10004900	GRob not "cutting it" at Syracuse Tuesday, September 23, 2008 Robinson's time at Syracuse coach appears to be growing short -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- By Ivan Maisel ESPN.com Syracuse athletics director Dr. Daryl Gross said Monday that the Orange football team has yet to show the "obvious progress" necessary for Greg Robinson to remain as football coach beyond this season. "It isn't working out," Gross said of Robinson. "It's very disappointing ... He has some work to do out in front of him." The Orange are 1-3 this season as they prepare for their Big East Conference opener Saturday at home against Pittsburgh. Robinson, in his fourth season at Syracuse, has an overall record of 8-31. "He isn't going to do anything right now," Robinson, referring to Gross, said Monday night. "I know that. But let me tell you something, we just need to win. We're capable of winning. People don't know it." Syracuse has a Big East record of 2-22 in the last three seasons. The Orange ended a seven-game losing streak Saturday with a 30-21 defeat of Northeastern, an FCS school. But Robinson, whose sunny personality seems blindingly bright amid his gloomy fan base, believes the Orange will win soon. "When it happens, it doesn't gradually happen," Robinson said of success. "It explodes. We're all battling our ass off. I'm really excited about it." Gross, who came to Syracuse from the USC athletic department in December 2004, has been stung by recent coast-to-coast criticism, including on ESPN's College GameDay, of the program's decline under his watch. He made an unsolicited phone call to ESPN.com to defend himself, citing the university's success in non-revenue sports, ranging from the 2008 NCAA men's lacrosse championship to an Orange field hockey program currently ranked third in the nation. "We got so many good things going on here," Gross said. "The 800-pound gorilla is football. You and I both know we've been very fair to Coach Robinson. Everyone wanted the guy's head last year. I said I didn't want Syracuse to become one of those three-years-and-out schools. I said, 'Let's calm down and [if needed] we'll get the first pick of the draft [of coaching candidates] next year.' That's where we are." Gross laughed off speculation that he will hire Lane Kiffin, the Raiders coach rumored to be on his way out in Oakland. The two of them worked together at USC. Robinson said he is not bitter about such circumstances and that he had no complaints about Gross' reaction to the football team's slow start. "He's tried to hang in there," Robinson said of Gross. "He gets a lot of crap. I understand it. You know what? It [Syracuse football] ain't as bad as people think. He's feeling pressure ... He's got a political world to live in. My world is not that way." On Sept. 12, "The Express", a film about the late Ernie Davis, the Orange running back who in 1961 became the first African-American to win the Heisman Trophy, premiered in Syracuse. The following day, Syracuse's former archrival, Penn State, defeated the Orange 55-13 at the Carrier Dome. What started out as a celebration of the university's rich tradition became a reminder of how far the team has fallen. Robinson's time to lead the Orange out of the hole appears to be growing short. Ivan Maisel is a senior writer for ESPN.com. http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3604094
Posts: 4,756

09-23-2008, 09:23 AM	#2
RealSNR Special Teams ACE!!! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Where the hell is SNR Casino cash: $-1544792	GRob really is a likeable guy. I wish he didn't suck so much.
Posts: 93,438

09-23-2008, 09:27 AM	#3
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $94454	That 2003 defense was actually fairly decent the first half of that year. They always gave up yards, but they came up with timely turnovers as well. After that Cinci game that year, they became atrocious. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,678

09-23-2008, 09:32 AM	#4
Redrum_69 Banned Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: your nightmares Casino cash: $10004900	PRINT'EM!!!
Posts: 6,358

09-23-2008, 10:04 AM	#6
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7672254	He made Derrick Johnson into a star at TX __________________
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09-23-2008, 10:06 AM	#7
Skip Towne Supporter Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: T-Town Casino cash: $10004900	Where will he land next? Snow Jr.college?
Posts: 69,689

09-23-2008, 10:24 AM	#9
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	If there is one guy that I hate almost as much as Carl Peterson, it would be Greg Robinson. Oh, and Elway. I hope GRob gets to keep his job, just so I can continue everytime Syracuse plays. __________________ "I like Chiefs president Carl Peterson. I respect his business savvy. I envy his management skills and his penchant never to be driven by the whims of popularity. I admire his willingness to take responsibility for decisions that don’t work out the way he would have wanted." - Rufus, from KCChiefs.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------
Posts: 4,910

09-23-2008, 10:52 AM	#10
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $-1783986	I thought Greg Robinson was awful defensive coordinator. There is no question now that he is a better DC than Gunther Cunningham, though.
Posts: 10,234