Syracuse football head coach Greg Robinson inched closer to completing his coaching staff this weekend, hiring three assistants, including the Orange’s new offensive coordinator.

Brian Pariani was hired as the offensive coordinator on Friday morning. Pariani was the tight ends coach with the Denver Broncos for the past 10 years. The hiring is SU’s most anticipated since the Orange hired Robinson as head coach on Jan. 11.

Robinson also announced the hiring of Scott Spencer and Bob Wylie on Saturday.

Spencer, a graduate assistant for Texas last year, is the new Orange secondary coach, while Wylie, formerly the offensive line coach with the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals, takes over the offensive line duties.

Spencer, a former walk-on defensive back for Texas, assisted Robinson with the secondary responsibilities last year in Austin.

But it’s Pariani’s hire which seems the most significant. With Robinson filling the roles of head coach and defensive coordinator, Pariani has essentially become second in command.

He and Robinson share a close relationship dating back to 1987, when both coached at UCLA. Pariani served as an undergraduate assistant and Robinson as defensive line coach. In 1990, Pariani joined the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers as a scouting assistant and later became San Francisco’s offensive coaches assistant.

He was hired by the Denver Broncos in 1995, the same year Robinson joined the Broncos staff as defensive coordinator. In fact, Pariani recommended Robinson for the job, and was instrumental in bringing him to Denver.

‘He busted his tail for me,’ Robinson said of Pariani’s recommendation. And now, 10 years later, Robinson has repaid the effort.

Pariani, 39, said his style is heavily influenced by the Denver Broncos offense, a methodical system that features a prominent running game.

‘There’s nobody in college football that has more to offer than Brian Pariani,’ Robinson said.

Before returning to Texas as a graduate assistant, Spencer coached and taught at Roosevelt High School in San Antonio, where he guided his team to a District 26-5A Championship in 2003.

He began his coaching career at Saluda School/Polk County High School in North Carolina in 1999. He also taught physical education and science at Saluda for two years.

‘I think the world of this guy,’ Robinson said. ‘He’s got all the things that we talked about – energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and integrity.’

Wylie has 14 years of NFL experience that includes time spent as a tight ends coach and as an offensive line coach. He has been coaching football for the past 32 years on all levels, from Pop Warner to the pro ranks.

‘It was important I waited to hire Bob until after we hired (new offensive coordinator Brian Pariani),’ Robinson said. ‘I wanted Brian to be involved in this.’

‘(Wylie’s) the consummate teacher,’ Robinson said. ‘He’s constantly finding new ways to get his message across – he’s a great people person.’

Before spending last season with the Cardinals, Wylie worked with the Chicago Bears for four years as their offensive line coach. In 2001, the Bears allowed a league-low 17 sacks, helping running back Anthony Thomas earn Rookie of the Year honors.

One spot remains open on Robinson’s coaching staff – another defensive backs coach. Robinson said he had hoped to announce that hire and Spencer’s together, but that he couldn’t wait any longer because he wanted Spencer to begin recruiting.

Published on January 23, 2005 at 12:00 pm