2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeRobinson fired | Jim Brown: 'It's a great day'
By Jared Diamond
Posted: 11/17/08, 3:21 AM EST Section: Sports
Jim Brown probably spoke for much of the Syracuse fan base when he shared his thoughts Sunday about Greg Robinson's firing.
"He's a great human being," Brown said in a telephone interview, "but the program is headed nowhere."
The first step toward heading somewhere came with Sunday afternoon's announcement confirming the Orange's head football coach will not return next season. Brown, likely the best player in Syracuse history, has been especially outspoken about Robinson's struggles. In September, Brown publicly called for his dismissal.
Sunday evening, he and several other SU greats were given the opportunity to react to the news and discuss the future of Syracuse football. The general consensus? The change was necessary to start a new era for the program.
"I am very happy there is a new hope right now," Brown said. "The change is right on time."
For the past month, speculation and rumors were a daily occurrence, culminating with a story in The New York Times reporting that Syracuse had hired a consulting firm to search for Robinson's successor. When the Orange lost bowl eligibility by losing to Rutgers Nov. 8, it became clear Robinson could not save his job. The only question was when.
Jake Crouthamel, SU's director of athletics from 1978-2005, said he expected current AD Daryl Gross to pull the trigger two or three weeks ago, considering the Orange's poor performance this season and during Robinson's four-year tenure. After a loss to Connecticut Saturday night, Syracuse is now 2-8 on the year and 9-36 with Robinson at the helm.
"I was surprised nothing seemed to be happening," Crouthamel said from his Massachusetts home. "Things were going on as usual. Another loss, go on for another week. I found it curious nothing was being said about it except from the public, the fans and the press."
Crouthamel said he has "personal feelings" about how Gross handled the coaching situation but declined to elaborate further. Recalling from his experiences firing and hiring coaches, he said the toughest part will be maintaining stability these next two weeks until Syracuse officially parts ways with Robinson.
"He's a great human being," Brown said in a telephone interview, "but the program is headed nowhere."
The first step toward heading somewhere came with Sunday afternoon's announcement confirming the Orange's head football coach will not return next season. Brown, likely the best player in Syracuse history, has been especially outspoken about Robinson's struggles. In September, Brown publicly called for his dismissal.
Sunday evening, he and several other SU greats were given the opportunity to react to the news and discuss the future of Syracuse football. The general consensus? The change was necessary to start a new era for the program.
"I am very happy there is a new hope right now," Brown said. "The change is right on time."
For the past month, speculation and rumors were a daily occurrence, culminating with a story in The New York Times reporting that Syracuse had hired a consulting firm to search for Robinson's successor. When the Orange lost bowl eligibility by losing to Rutgers Nov. 8, it became clear Robinson could not save his job. The only question was when.
Jake Crouthamel, SU's director of athletics from 1978-2005, said he expected current AD Daryl Gross to pull the trigger two or three weeks ago, considering the Orange's poor performance this season and during Robinson's four-year tenure. After a loss to Connecticut Saturday night, Syracuse is now 2-8 on the year and 9-36 with Robinson at the helm.
"I was surprised nothing seemed to be happening," Crouthamel said from his Massachusetts home. "Things were going on as usual. Another loss, go on for another week. I found it curious nothing was being said about it except from the public, the fans and the press."
Crouthamel said he has "personal feelings" about how Gross handled the coaching situation but declined to elaborate further. Recalling from his experiences firing and hiring coaches, he said the toughest part will be maintaining stability these next two weeks until Syracuse officially parts ways with Robinson.
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