2008 Woodie Awards
The Daily OrangeCoaches around Big East defend SU's Robinson
By Meredith Galante
Posted: 11/17/08, 10:33 PM EST Section: Sports
Steve Kragthorpe hasn't had much luck against Greg Robinson. Kragthorpe, the head coach of Louisville, has lost both meetings with Robinson's Syracuse squad. SU upset Louisville in September 2007, and then defeated the Cardinals 28-21 this season in the Carrier Dome on Nov. 1.
That pair of upsets wasn't enough for Robinson. With the fourth-year head coach unable to sustain success, Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross announced Sunday Robinson will not return next season. A day later, Kragthorpe and other Big East coaches
responded to Robinson's firing.
"I think Greg is a great person and a great football coach, but unfortunately in this industry if you don't win football games you don't get to work anymore," Kragthorpe said Monday during the Big East coaches' teleconference. "I think he is a fine, fine coach. He's beaten us plenty here."
In his second season with the Cardinals, Kragthrope owns an 11-11 record as head coach. Louisville is currently ranked sixth in the conference, sitting only above South Florida (6-4, 1-4 Big East) and Syracuse (2-8, 1-5 Big East).
Robinson's firing marks the sixth college head coach to be fired mid-season in 2008, and the only one from the Big East. Robinson holds a 9-36 record over four seasons with the Orange, including a 3-24 mark in conference play.
"The timing (of Robinson's firing) is kind of the move that a lot of guys are making these days," Kragthorpe said. "In terms of making a change, they are going to go ahead and make the change a littler earlier than they used to so they can go ahead, and for recruiting purposes."
Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt said letting Robinson go before the end of the season may not help Syracuse's recruiting for next season.
"Time will tell if letting Robinson go was the right decision, and time will tell if it will help with recruits," Wannstedt said during the teleconference. "But I don't know if the timing (of Robinson's firing) will affect the recruiting in any positive way.
That pair of upsets wasn't enough for Robinson. With the fourth-year head coach unable to sustain success, Syracuse Director of Athletics Daryl Gross announced Sunday Robinson will not return next season. A day later, Kragthorpe and other Big East coaches
responded to Robinson's firing.
"I think Greg is a great person and a great football coach, but unfortunately in this industry if you don't win football games you don't get to work anymore," Kragthorpe said Monday during the Big East coaches' teleconference. "I think he is a fine, fine coach. He's beaten us plenty here."
In his second season with the Cardinals, Kragthrope owns an 11-11 record as head coach. Louisville is currently ranked sixth in the conference, sitting only above South Florida (6-4, 1-4 Big East) and Syracuse (2-8, 1-5 Big East).
Robinson's firing marks the sixth college head coach to be fired mid-season in 2008, and the only one from the Big East. Robinson holds a 9-36 record over four seasons with the Orange, including a 3-24 mark in conference play.
"The timing (of Robinson's firing) is kind of the move that a lot of guys are making these days," Kragthorpe said. "In terms of making a change, they are going to go ahead and make the change a littler earlier than they used to so they can go ahead, and for recruiting purposes."
Pittsburgh head coach Dave Wannstedt said letting Robinson go before the end of the season may not help Syracuse's recruiting for next season.
"Time will tell if letting Robinson go was the right decision, and time will tell if it will help with recruits," Wannstedt said during the teleconference. "But I don't know if the timing (of Robinson's firing) will affect the recruiting in any positive way.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
mrdodger1966
posted 11/18/08 @ 8:18 AM EST
Sure the other Big East coaches defend GRob... they were counting on that guaranteed win for many years to come!
Marc LeVine
posted 11/18/08 @ 10:38 AM EST
We need the Fighting Irish on the 2008 Football schedule like a dog needs fleas. Just how bad a beating will this one result in? Maybe that is why Coach R is being kept on for the last two games - ABJECT HUMILIATION!!! Anyone know where I put those coffin finishing nails?
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