Former Florida HC Dan Mullen Says He Won't Take Syracuse Job Amid Rumors
Nov 27, 2023
JACKSONVILLE, FL - OCTOBER 30: Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen looks on during the game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Florida Gators on October 30, 2021 at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Former Florida coach Dan Mullen ruled out a move to Syracuse after getting linked with the Orange, who are seeking a replacement for Dino Babers.
Mullen responded to a user on X, formerly known as Twitter, to say he "will not be the next head coach."
Love the cuse. But will not be the next head coach.
Tommy Sladek of CNY Central had reported Friday that Syracuse athletic director John Wildhack had met with Mullen.
Mullen was at least somebody worth considering for Syracuse. The 51-year-old worked with the school as a graduate assistant in 1998, so he had some existing ties.
Much more than that, Mullen turned Mississippi State around in a big way. The Bulldogs had won four or fewer games in seven of their previous eight seasons before he arrived. By his second year, they made the first of eight straight bowl appearances during his tenure, which peaked with a 10-3 record and an Orange Bowl appearance in 2014.
Mullen's stock did, however, take a hit with how quickly things unraveled at Florida in 2021 leading up to his firing. The Gators were 5-6 at the time, a record that was better than the general atmosphere around Gainesville.
Still, hiring him would've been a big statement for a program that isn't anywhere close to the top of the Power Five pyramid.
Instead, Wildhack is left to ponder other candidates.
Report: Syracuse to Fire HC Dino Babers After 20-45 ACC Football Record in 8 Seasons
Nov 19, 2023
BLACKSBURG, VA - OCTOBER 26: Syracuse Orange head coach Dino Babers during a college football game between the Syracuse Orange and the Virginia Tech Hokies on October 26, 2023 at Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, VA. (Photo by Brian Bishop/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Syracuse is expected to fire head football coach Dino Babers, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.
Thamel reported tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile appears poised to take over as the interim head coach. He was also the interim coach at Rutgers in 2019 after the Scarlet Knights fired Chris Ash.
The Orange opened the season 4-0 but have dropped six of their last seven games, most recently losing 31-22 to Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Babers was in his eighth season at the school and had a 41-55 overall record. He struggled to make Syracuse relevant in the ACC, with the team winning just 20 conference games and only once posting a winning mark (6-2 in 2018) under his watch.
That 2018 season saw the Orange win 10 games and beat 15th-ranked West Virginia in the Camping World Bowl. At the time, it looked like Babers had the program heading in the right direction.
Instead, that was his high-water mark.
Emily Leiker of Syracuse.com provided some more context to why the school will have felt change is needed.
"Out of 130 teams that have competed in college football's highest subdivision throughout Babers' tenure, Syracuse ranks in the bottom third in wins and in winning percentage since he was hired," she wrote.
"Of the schools that have lost more in that span, Ball State is the only program that hasn't made a coaching change."
Nobody considers the Orange to be a sleeping giant on the gridiron. With Dick MacPherson and Paul Pasqualoni, they were at least a mainstay in postseason bowls. They also punched a bowl ticket in two of Doug Marrone's four years on the sideline.
Winning six or eight games with the occasional 10-win campaign sprinkled in isn't an unrealistic expectation.
Thamel listed off who might be in play to succeed Babers:
Early names for Syracuse in no order: Jason Candle, Bronco Mendenhall, Doug Marrone, Tony White, Al Golden, Curt Cignetti, Jim Knowles, Sean Lewis, Bob Chesney, Liam Coen and Teryl Austin.
Surveying the landscape, there's arguably one candidate that jumps out more than any other to approach once Syracuse begins its search.
Sean Lewis followed Babers from Bowling Green to Syracuse, where he was the co-offensive coordinator in 2016 and 2017. From there, he won 24 games in five years at Kent State, which has historically been among the most moribund programs in the FBS.
With how Lewis' spell as Colorado's offensive coordinator is going, he might already be eager for a new opportunity. Coaching Syracuse would be a step up, and he will be familiar with the general setup at the school.
The 2023 college football season is just weeks away. The ACC looks like it will have a couple of legitimate College Football Playoff contenders in Clemson and…
After a long, six-month offseason, the 2023 college football season is finally just a couple of weeks away. As a new season gets set to kick off, it's time to…
Mikel Jones NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Syracuse LB
Apr 13, 2023
Syracuse linebacker Mikel Jones defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson in Syracuse, N.Y., Friday, Oct. 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
HEIGHT: 5'11 5/8"
WEIGHT: 229
HAND: 10 1/4"
ARM: 32 1/2"
WINGSPAN: 79 3/8"
40-YARD DASH: TBD
3-CONE: 7.21
SHUTTLE: 4.57
VERTICAL: 30"
BROAD: 9'5"
POSITIVES
– Good athlete who is a smooth mover and can run. Closes quickly when blitzing or coming downhill.
– Shown flashes of using his athletic ability to slip blocks from offensive linemen working to the second level, primarily versus outside runs.
– Has the speed to carry running backs and tight ends in zone coverage or play Tampa 2.
– Good at locating threats to his area when playing zone.
– Wrap tackler who rarely misses.
NEGATIVES
– Undersized for the position and needs to get bigger to avoid getting pushed out of his gap by offensive linemen. Gets stuck on blocks against inside runs.
– Instincts are shaky versus the run. He'll fit in the wrong gap occasionally, get caught trying to work around a block or leave his assignment early, creating second-level rushing lanes for running backs.
– Not a thumper as a tackler who is going to limit yards after contact.
– Could afford to work for more depth on his zone drops against play action.
– Poor agility testing suggests he'll struggle in man coverage against shifty running backs.
Mikel Jones is an athletic linebacker who could be a good backup in a zone-heavy system. He's good at locating threats and has the movement skills to take away throwing windows or carry routes down the field. However, he might lack change-of-direction skills based on his poor agility testing, although that wasn't exposed much in college.
Against the run, Jones' lack of size and strength becomes an issue. If he can slip blocks, primarily on outside runs, he can be effective. But that requires his instincts to be right, which they aren't always. When he has to take offensive linemen on with his hands versus inside runs, he gets pushed out of his gap and gets stuck on the block.
The Orangeman will need to carve out a role on special teams to land on an NFL roster in Year 1, which he does have experience doing in college.
Garrett Williams NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Syracuse CB
Apr 7, 2023
SYRACUSE, NY - SEPTEMBER 11: Rutgers Scarlet Knights wide receiver Bo Melton (18) attempts to make a catch against Syracuse Orange defensive back Garrett Williams (8) during the college football game between the Syracuse Orange and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on Septekmber 11, 2021at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse,NY. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'10"
WEIGHT: 192
HAND: 9 1/4"
ARM: 31"
WINGSPAN: TBD
40-YARD DASH: TBD
3-CONE: TBD
SHUTTLE: TBD
VERTICAL: TBD
BROAD: TBD
POSITIVES
— Controlled pedal, able to keep good leverage with his weave. Shows to have fluid hips when swiveling. Quick feet combined with ability to sink hips when driving out of breaks.
— Technical player who plays in zone coverage very well, showing off his vision and anticipation.
— Very good ball skills to track and attack the ball in the air. Very good hands to attack and pluck the ball out of the air.
NEGATIVES
— Good speed but can get overextended downfield. Struggles with makeup speed when he loses a step.
— ACL injury in 2022 season. Will look to be cleared close to mini-camp..
Garrett Williams is a versatile corner who exploded on to the scene as a freshman at Syracuse. A very productive player who showed to have good ball production. He has shown the ability to play in both man and zone schemes while also being able to play from multiple alignments.
He has a smooth, controlled pedal and does a very good job of keeping his leverage and cushion while showing quick feet to get out of breaks and drive downhill. While in zone, he shows to have good football IQ and vision to understand route concepts and how he is being attacked. He has also shown to play with good anticipation to jump routes, getting his head around to locate the ball and staying calm with the ball in the air. Williams has struggled with his speed at times. He lacks the elite top-end speed needed to carry deep routes, often getting overextended.
He is very good in run support, showing to make quick reads and react to the run. He does a good job of using his hands when taking on blocks and quickly disengaging to attack the ball carrier. When tackling, he throws his body around with little regard, delivering big blows at times. In general, he does a good job of making secure wrap tackles by taking out the legs of ball carriers for minimal extra yards.
Overall, Williams has had a very productive career, both on-ball and in the run game. He needs to recover from a knee injury, but the timing looks to put him at full contact before the season starts. He is a high-level backup player who has a very good chance to become a potential starter a couple years into his career.
Sean Tucker NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Syracuse RB
Mar 21, 2023
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 01: Sean Tucker #34 of the Syracuse Orange runs the ball during the first quarter against the Wagner Seahawks at JMA Wireless Dome on October 01, 2022 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
HEIGHT: 5'9"
WEIGHT: 207
HAND: 9 1/2"
ARM: 30"
WINGSPAN: TBD
40-YARD DASH: TBD
3-CONE: TBD
SHUTTLE: TBD
VERTICAL: TBD
BROAD: TBD
POSITIVES
— Very good explosiveness. One-cut ability can be devastating.
— Great acceleration on the perimeter and through the second-level.
— Quick, tight rushing style allows him to stay upright against low tackle attempts.
— Good receiving ability. Reliable hands and a good open-field burst.
NEGATIVES
— Below-average vision and conviction. Runs hesitant.
— Too often tries to bounce and get cute. Needs to be more downhill.
— Below-average contact balance and strength. Struggles to fight forward.
Sean Tucker is a highly-explosive who needs to find better tempo and strength as a runner to reach his potential.
Tucker does his best work in space. When unleashed on perimeter runs, Tucker can be devastating. He has great acceleration to hit the perimeter in a hurry and plenty of bursts to fly up the field once he jams his foot in the ground to get north. Tucker's top-end speed is solid, too. He's not elite in that regard, but he has enough juice to produce chunk plays if given some space outside the tackle box.
Tucker is also an effective pass-catcher. Syracuse fed Tucker a handful of passes per game and he showed comfortable hands, especially on quick throws out of the backfield. Better yet, Tucker flashed the ability to run wheel routes as well as be flexed into slot alignments on occasion. Tucker's open-field burst serves him well as a pass-catcher, too.
That being said, Tucker has a long way to go between the tackles. Tucker isn't a natural downhill runner. He rarely runs with conviction and too often looks to play side-to-side rather than trudging forward to get the yards that are there. That's not a viable rushing style unless the player is a LeSean McCoy level athlete, and Tucker isn't quite that. Tucker's strength and balance are also lacking. He often struggles to fight for extra yardage and is more frequently tackled right where he stands upon first contact.
Tucker projects best as a change-of-pace back who can also be used on passing downs. A scheme that allows Tucker to hit the perimeter often as well as take advantage of his receiving skills would be best, like a lesser version of what the Cowboys did with Tony Pollard.
Matthew Bergeron NFL Draft 2023: Scouting Report for Syracuse IOL
Feb 16, 2023
Syracuse offensive lineman Matthew Bergeron (60) lines up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia on Friday, Sept. 23, 2022 in Syracuse, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adrian Kraus)
HEIGHT: 6'5"
WEIGHT: 318
HAND: 9 1/2"
ARM: 33 3/4"
WINGSPAN: TBD
40-YARD DASH: TBD
3-CONE: TBD
SHUTTLE: TBD
VERTICAL: 30.5"
BROAD: 8'7"
POSITIVES
— Very good play strength in the run game to kick out, steer and seal on angle-drive blocks
— Plays with a physical, aggressive demeanor and does a nice job initiating contact in the run game with square power and force to create instant stalemates and quickly get defenders on their heels
— Does a nice job in the drive phase of run blocks to re-leverage, sink and unlock his hips to increase his power output after initial contact, leading to major displacement and lanes created off his backside
— Stout anchoring ability when he can get to his landmarks; keeps a flat-back with a strong punch to strike, brace and absorb force even when his hands don't land right away
— Flashes the stopping power to halt and jolt rushers when his punch lands
— Shows very good competitive toughness to assert himself as a finisher through the whistle. Looks to impose his will consistently.
NEGATIVES
— Mediocre range on an island with a persistent upkick on the second step in his pass set that leads to him swinging open his hips early. This shortens the corner, creates a soft inside shoulder and opens up two-way go's for rushers that can set up their moves with tempo, hesitations and stutters.
— Average athletic ability that limits his ability to dynamically redirect and change direction laterally, forcing him to lean into contact and hold too often against slippery defenders.
— Feet can get choppy and loud in space, leading him to drift and misalign his opponent when he can't get his hands on them right away.
— Can be overaggressive on contact looking to land a kill shot in the run game, leaving him vulnerable to losing across his face and giving up quick penetration.
2022 STATISTICS
— 11 starts at left tackle
NOTES
— Former 247Sports 3-star tackle recruit out of Cegep Garneau High School in Quebec City, Canada.
— Finished his career with 39 starts at tackle; 31 at LT and eight at RT.
— Named second-team All-ACC and was a team captain during the 2022 season.
— Accepted his invite to the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
— Bergeron turns 23-years old on February 26th.
OVERALL
Matthew Bergeron is a four-year starter with 39 career starts split between left (31) and right (eight) tackle, including 12 starts on the left side in 2022 for Syracuse's zone-based run scheme with a 55-45 run-pass split. Bergeron has average athletic ability with evenly dispersed weight throughout his frame with a thick, stout build and good arm length.
Bergeron excels as a run-blocker using very good play strength with an aggressive mentality to take the fight to defenders on angle-drive blocks and seal and create alleys off of his backside. He has stiff, powerful strikes with strong hands to establish a firm latch, knock his opponent on their heels, uproot and steer them away from the ball. Bergeron embraces the physicality involved in run-blocking, and he consistently strains and fights to stay attached to blocks and looks to finish through the whistle. While he is adept at creating displacement on the first level, his mediocre redirect and movement skills lead to hit-or-miss ability to fit on targets on the move. He also has a habit of being overaggressive into contact and misaligning his target, causing him to reach, overextend or hold when defenders shift post-snap or are able to get him stacked and attempt to shed.
Bergeron uses a powerful punch to stun pass-rushers and engulf them when he can initiate first meaningful contact. He is best when aggressive in pass-protection and when he gets to his landmarks first and forces defenders to run through him, he can sit down and anchor quickly against power. Bergeron has mediocre foot quickness and range on an island with an upkick on the second step of his pass set that forces him to swing open his hips prematurely, shortening the corner and creating a soft inside shoulder that top competition was able to exploit in 2022 (Ex: versus Myles Murphy and Jared Verse). He also has a habit of drifting in his pass set and over-setting rushers that slow-play the rush and use tempo, showing choppy feet and overall discomfort when he can't end the fight quickly.
Overall, Bergeron brings a tone-setting, physical mentality to the position with the play strength to deliver force on contact, create movement and anchor in tight quarters. With limited range and footwork issues in pass-protection at tackle, his best fit in the NFL is likely inside at guard with the ability to play tackle in a pinch.
What a fun week we had for the last Saturday of September in college football. In the noon slate, No. 4 Clemson barely got past No. 21 Wake Forest, needing...
Greg Robinson, 2-Time Super Bowl Champion as Broncos DC, Dies at Age 70
Jan 5, 2022
17 Jan 1999: Defensive Coordinator Greg Robinson of the Denver Broncos in action during the AFC Championship Game against the New York Jets at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Jets 23-10. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport
Former Syracuse football head coach and Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Greg Robinson died on Wednesday from a form of Alzheimer’s disease, his son Dominic told Chris Carlson of Syracuse.com. He was 70.
Robinson's coaching career spanned 40 years, dating back to his time as an assistant with his alma mater, the University of the Pacific (1975-76).
His college coaching career included stints as an assistant for Cal State Fullerton (1977-79), a linebackers coach for NC State (1980-81), a defensive line coach for UCLA (1982-88), the Bruins' offensive coordinator in 1989, Texas' defensive coordinator in both 2004 and 2013, Syracuse's head coach (2005-08), Michigan's defensive coordinator (2009-10) and San Jose State's defensive coordinator (2014-15).
We're saddened to learn of the passing of former head coach Greg Robinson.
Sad to hear the news about Greg Robinson's passing. Obviously the results on the field weren't what they needed to be at Syracuse, but he handled tough times as well as could be expected and his family loved the CNY community.
He went 10-37 in his four years as Syracuse's head coach, with the NCAA adjusting his record to 5-37 after sanctions against the football and basketball programs.
In the NFL, he served as a defensive line coach for the New York Jets between 1990-92 and worked as the defensive coordinator for the Jets (1993), Broncos (1995-00) and Kansas City Chiefs (2001-03).
We're saddened by the passing of former Broncos Defensive Coordinator Greg Robinson, who served in that position for our back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams.
Everyone of course remembers the Broncos explosive offensive playmakers during those Super Bowl winning years. But Greg Robinson's defense allowed only 18 points per game in the '97 playoffs and just under 11 PPG in the '98 playoffs. Incredible numbers. https://t.co/64lC0Ct0Cu
Now, Greg Robinson becomes fifth ex-Broncos head coach, coordinator or assistant coach to pass in recent months. He was defensive coordinator for Super Bowl winning teams. He had Alzheimer’s complications. Greg came to my home for Oscar parties. One of the real good guys.
Former #Jets asst coach Greg Robinson has passed away at 70, per multiple reports. He was their DL coach from 90-93, DC in 94. Won 2 Super Bowl rings as the #Broncos DC + coached @CuseFootball. Honorable man, passionate coach. Always helpful to me as a young reporter. RIP. 🙏
He won two Super Bowls with the Broncos, with those defenses finishing top-10 in yards allowed and top-10 in points three times each.
"We will get pressure on the quarterback," Robinson told reporters when he was hired by head coach Mike Shanahan in 1995. "We will create problems for quarterbacks. It's only a matter of how we're going to get it done."
