Syracuse head coach Greg Robinson completed his coaching staff yesterday when Jim Salgado was hired as SU’s new cornerbacks coach. Salgado comes from Northeastern, where he has coached since 2000. Last season he served as assistant head coach and defensive backs coach.

Salgado also served as a minority intern for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Diego Chargers and Miami Dolphins. He has also coached at Long Island Lutheran High School, Hofstra, Millersville, Boston University and Western Connecticut.

‘I am very excited about this great opportunity to work with coach Robinson and this program,’ Salgado said. ‘Growing up in the New York area, I always watched Syracuse football. It is a great program with a rich history and tradition. My approach is to be aggressive and get after things, but to have a lot of fun doing it.’

The Orange dropped its third straight game in ugly fashion, 81-50, to West Virginia. It was SU’s worst loss of the season.

Freshman Vaida Sipaviciute led Syracuse (10-8, 2-5 Big East) with 17 points to go along with five rebounds and five blocks.

Freshman guard Mary Jo Riley notched career highs with nine points and three assists.

West Virginia (12-6, 3-4) led, 39-26, at halftime. With 17:06 left in the second half, Syracuse cut the lead to 10 before the Mountaineers went on an 8-0 run to put the game out of reach.

The Orange did hold the Big East’s leading scorer, Meg Bulger, to nine points, 12 below her season average.

Syracuse returns to action at home against Villanova on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Published on January 26, 2005 at 12:00 pm