So many times, we’ve seen Paul Pasqualoni sit behind a microphone and field questions from the media. For 14 years, the embattled Syracuse head football coach has upheld the ritual week after week. Most figured Pasqualoni wouldn’t get a 15th season.

Monday night, Pasqualoni once again sat in that familiar spot behind a microphone. He listened carefully inside the Carrier Dome as Syracuse Chancellor Nancy Cantor outlined her plans to rejuvenate SU football. And then, Cantor announced, based on a recommendation to her from SU Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel, Pasqualoni would indeed keep his job as head coach for a 15th season.

It looked as if his Nov. 22 press conference before the Orange’s game at Boston College might be his last. That was, of course, until SU pulled off a 43-17 upset victory over the Eagles.

‘We’re going to take this opportunity and run,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘I’ve made some strides in gaining back some of the respect that we’ve enjoyed over the years. We’re really optimistic and enthusiastic about next year.’

Cantor’s decision concluded a two-week fury of action within the athletic department that saw Crouthamel announce his retirement, Syracuse accept an invitation to the Champs Sports Bowl on Dec. 21 and, now, Cantor’s retention of Pasqualoni.

Cantor didn’t stop at just announcing Pasqualoni’s return. She also discussed progress in the search for a new athletic director, a renewed commitment to Syracuse fans and efforts to construct improved athletic facilities.

She laid out four ‘facets’ she hopes to use to improve the football program. First, to engage the community of fans; second, to ensure good coaching; third, to ensure the team has proper tools for success; finally, to provide proper support to balance academic and athletic responsibility.

Cantor said the 2005 season football ticket package will cost $168 for six games as opposed to this year’s package, which cost $160 for five games. Individual game ticket prices will remain the same.

Cantor also announced the executive committee of the board of trustees had approved the construction of a new state-of-the-art strength and conditioning facility.

‘SU’s status among the country’s elite football institutions has taken some hits in the past few years,’ Cantor said. ‘I am committed to bolstering our athletic reputation and maintaining a program that our alumni and our other passionate fans can feel proud of year in and year out.’

The press conference and the changes Cantor announced seemed similar to the event announcing Pasqualoni’s retention last year.

Then, Crouthamel announced Pasqualoni would be back for another year, but changes would take place within the football program. Pasqualoni became solely responsible for play-calling. Crouthamel also planned to pour more money into the program.

Yet, there Pasqualoni sat, a year later, once again defending his job. At the end of 2002, Crouthamel laid out four criteria the football program had to meet. The Orange had to finish in the Top 25, finish in the top three in the Big East, frequently participate in bowl games and continue high graduation rates.

This season, SU met all of his criteria except for finishing in the Top 25. But Crouthamel also said he took into account Syracuse’s strength of schedule, which included five ranked opponents.

Syracuse’s win over the Eagles helped the Orange meet two of Crouthamel’s criteria. Just a few weeks ago, it appeared Pasqualoni’s job was already lost after the Orange’s embarrassing 34-24 road loss to Temple.

‘The BC win was huge,’ Crouthamel said. ‘It allowed us to meet expectations.’

Crouthamel refused to say the BC win alone convinced him to recommend Pasqualoni keep his job. He said he looked at the season as a whole and didn’t consider what would’ve happened had SU lost to the Eagles.

Though Pasqualoni will keep his job, Cantor offered him no security beyond next season. He’ll lose a close ally when Crouthamel retires. Next season, a new athletic director will control his fate. Cantor said that new athletic director will be a member of her cabinet, meaning that person will report directly to her.

Cantor said her evaluation of Pasqualoni will continue to be based on the four facets she laid out, but evaluating his actual performance on the field will be left to the new athletic director.

Pasqualoni said he plans changes to the way the program is run to help address fan concerns. He said his staff – which he plans on keeping together – has been working on simplifying the offense and defense. Pasqualoni’s pro-style, complex offense has long been a source of fan discontent.

He also said he wants to upgrade the passing game, something he feels is on the right track with the improvement and development of sophomore quarterback Perry Patterson.

Pasqualoni also addressed winning on the road. Prior to its win over BC, Syracuse had lost 10 straight Big East road games. While Pasqualoni knows SU can’t win on the road every week, he said the program needs to establish some consistency.

‘We have to do whatever we have to do to win on the road,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘I know how you do it. I know exactly what you have to do. You can’t make mistakes on the road and expect to win.

‘We’re trying to make it more player-friendly on defense and more simple on offense. But you can’t make it so simple it’s not effective.’

For now, Pasqualoni will prepare for Georgia Tech in the Champs Sports Bowl. He said he’s relieved the stressful week is over. But come next year, Pasqualoni and his staff could face the same situation.

‘One of the big reasons I came here was to be part of a program committed to excellence,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘I’m appreciative of it and I don’t take it for granted.’

Published on December 6, 2004 at 12:00 pm