SYRACUSE

Goodbye to ... Paul Pasqualoni
Coaching record: 107-59-1 in 14 seasons
Reason for leaving: Fired

Pasqualoni was given a vote of confidence in early December of last year. But two weeks after Daryl Gross was hired as athletic director and eight days after a 51-14 embarrassment to Georgia Tech in the Champ Sports Bowl, there was a recall.

After going 10-3 and finishing 14th in the nation in 2001, Pasqualoni’s teams struggled just to tread water, going 4-8, 6-6 and 6-6 his last three seasons. The middling play led to dwindling home attendance, as the Orange averaged just 37,000 at the 49,000-seat Carrier Dome last season. That combination is fatal for any coach.

Ed Gonser / AP Greg Robinson

Hello ... Greg Robinson
Coaching record: First season as a head coach.
2005 prediction: 6-5

Syracuse AD Daryl Gross said he wanted a defensive-minded coach, and Robinson was an easy choice. In his one year as co-defensive coordinator at Texas, the Longhorns gave up 102 fewer points in 2004 than they did in ’03, and just a 27 percent conversion rate on third down.

Last season was Robinson’s 16th as a college assistant, but first after 14 years in the NFL, where his career was punctuated when as defensive coordinator at Denver, the Broncos took down the high-octane offense of Brett Favre and the Packers in Super Bowl XXXII.

Robinson walks into a solid situation with 15 starters back and the loss of 11 lettermen, fewest in the Big East. He’d better win at home, for the road schedule is very tough with games at Florida State, Connecticut, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame and Louisville.

Long-term prediction: This is Robinson’s first go-round as a head coach, so there’s no history to lean on. He is a recognizable name and Syracuse has a rich tradition; a good combination in which to get started. He has proven he can build championship defenses in the past, and if he can do so here Syracuse should rise again.

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