It’s been 10 months since Syracuse hired Greg Robinson as its 27th head football coach.

But in those 10 months, much of the optimism and excitement sparked by a new era of Syracuse football has vanished. In its place is a 1-10 record and a first-year head coach trying to figure out what went wrong.

At his final in-season press conference Tuesday, Robinson announced plans to begin a thorough evaluation of his coaches and personnel. He remained optimistic as always about the future of the Syracuse program, but made it clear he is ready to make any changes necessary.

‘I will be very critical and critical in the word meaning critique,’ Robinson said.

‘There’s an evaluation process that needs to take place and everything needs to be evaluated – offense, defense, kicking game, the whole gamut of things. I’m not quick to react to things. I think it’s really a matter of analyzing.’

Among the things Robinson plans to evaluate is his offensive coaching staff. When asked if he could foresee firing his offensive coordinator, Brian Pariani, Robinson was non-committal, saying he will evaluate all his coaches. But Robinson stressed he is not the type of coach to make rash decisions.

‘I’m gonna do whatever I need to do to keep our program going in the direction it needs to go,’ Robinson said. ‘I don’t see myself as someone who is going to make a quick decision on someone like that in coaching.’

Robinson mentioned a conversation he had with longtime NFL head coach Chuck Knox one time while golfing.

‘(Knox) was proud of the fact that he coached coaches,’ Robinson said. ‘He was comparing it to Dan Reeves. He’s a great football coach but he’s had a lot of coaches. It stood in my mind, and I’ll never forget it. If I feel in any situation that if it’s the right thing to do, then that’s part of my job.’

Still, Robinson did not rule out the possibility of a major personnel change.

‘I would do it if it looked like that was the best thing to do,’ he said.

Next generation

Robinson spoke at length about the recruiting process and what types of players the SU coaching staff is targeting.

Though NCAA rules ban Robinson from talking about players who have verbally committed to the Orange, Robinson said he has offered only one scholarship to a quarterback in the class of 2006.

That quarterback is Andrew Robinson of Calvert Hall College High School in Baltimore.

When asked if he would play a true freshman at quarterback, Robinson said he would consider it if he was the best option. He cited Arizona true freshman Willie Tuitama, who was supposed to redshirt, but has started the last five games for the Wildcats.

Robinson did describe the type of quarterback he is looking for, though.

‘I see a young man that first of all has great leadership skills,’ he said, ‘a commander that shows the promise to be a true passer. A passer is more than just a thrower, and that means understanding the passing game.

‘Having the ability to deliver the ball to others is the first prerequisite as far as the physical skills that we’re looking for. And then, if his legs can take him and help him to maneuver and create on his own at times, that’s even better.’

Published on November 29, 2005 at 12:00 pm