Greg Robinson earned a final shot to prove himself as Syracuse’s head football coach Thursday. By Friday, he had already begun to show his sense of urgency.

With the time for rebuilding long gone, Robinson stated at his end-of-the-season press conference Friday that his team needs to develop fast, and the third-year coach plans to ‘shake things up’ to incite change.

‘I want to shake everything and every person in the program,’ Robinson said, ‘and do what has to be done to make this thing push to the next level. … We know we have to go upward in a rapid motion. Maybe with the experience with the young kids this year, that thing is going to move more rapidly than what might be perceived. Up until it happens, everything needs to be shaken – including me.’

One day after Director of Athletics Daryl Gross announced Robinson would be back for a fourth season helming the Orange – despite a 7-28 record in his first three seasons – Robinson publicized his intention to send his program a wake-up call.

While Robinson desires to galvanize the team, he seemed to incur speculation by how he might do that. He remained ambiguous on topics ranging from the future of the coaching staff to the 2008 recruiting class to even position battles for next season.

Robinson said he’s currently in the process of evaluating his assistant coaches and whether changes need to be made among the staff, adding he has not made a decision yet as to whether he will take back over defensive coordinator duties.

Robinson handled the defensive coordinator position until the beginning of this season, when Steve Russ took over the job. The Orange finished close to last in the nation in several defensive categories.

The 2008 recruiting class also could contribute to the shakedown.

One of the keys to Robinson receiving a fourth year at SU was to give the coach three of his own recruiting classes. The attitude exists that Robinson was left with little to work with when he inherited former SU coach Paul Pasqualoni’s recruits. Robinson maintained an emphasis that he’s bringing into Syracuse a group of talented players.

‘I think we are putting ourselves in a position to put together another fine recruiting class,’ Robinson said. ‘I think that when you couple it with the other two classes, I think this group is one that can be very strong again. When I say strong, it’s those people who I think really fit the profile of what we are looking for.’

Further adding to Robinson’s dire search for a formula that would ignite the Syracuse football program was a remark explicitly stating that no position is safe once spring practices begin. When prompted about whether the starting quarterback spot would be open, Robinson responded ‘all spots are open.’

However, the coach said he was unsure if running backs Delone Carter and Curtis Brinkley would be ready by spring. Carter, the projected starting running back for the 2007 season, dislocated his hip during the spring last year and missed the entire season. Brinkley, Carter’s replacement, broke his leg against Buffalo. Brinkley had his cast removed recently and remains in a walking boot, Robinson said.

Robinson appears to have shifted into desperation mode as he attempts to succeed with a program that has only won two Big East games in three years under Robinson. Gross sent a clear message last week that he needs to see ‘significant progress’ from Robinson this season, although Gross never specified what qualified as adequate progress.

‘It is my responsibility to get this football team to be successful and that’s moving forward,’ Robinson said ‘How many wins? I don’t know about all of those things, but I know that we have to move forward.’

Moreover, Gross seemed to shy away from conferring the head coach a vote of confidence – merely saying Robinson believes he can win.

But Robinson was not bothered by the lack of vocal support from his boss.

‘In my mind, he’s making a statement in itself that I’m here and I’m the one coaching this football team,’ Robinson said. ‘It’s on my shoulders and my responsibility. He believes I’m leading this thing in the right direction.

‘What we need to do now is win football games to validate what we’ve been working to build. I believe we have built this thing on very solid ground, and it is time to make the move. I’m excited about the opportunity. You have the right person.’

Published on December 2, 2007 at 12:00 pm