Hope Springs Eternal: Why the Orange Could Begin Their Resurgence In 2009

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

Greg Robinson's press conferences, along with the team's play, often left fans with the feeling that he was in a little over his head. Thus far, that doesn't seem to be the case with Doug Marrone. 

Coaching at Syracuse is Doug Marrone's self proclaimed dream job. He's a former offensive lineman at Syracuse and he's said that he's been preparing himself to take over at Syracuse ever since he got into coaching. According to athletic director Daryl Gross, Marrone impressed a committee charged with choosing Robinson's replacement by laying out a detailed plan to "rejuvenate, not rebuild" the Orange, and it even included information on how he would attack the defenses of Syracuse's Big East rivals.  

The man has a plan, which is already more than you could say about Greg Robinson. 

Another difference, Marrone has already established his insistence on discipline. 

Following the start of spring practice, last season's starting quarterback, senior Cam Dantley talked about some differences between the current staff and the last.

"A lot of discipline, and I can tell it has been good for us," Dantley said. "At first, you can tell people weren’t sure. It was different for them. Last year we maybe could get away with things that maybe we can’t get away with this year. Players have to adjust and know that we attack this like a job. Every day we have to come here and get things done and do what we have to do to get better. The coaches are just preaching a lot of discipline and attention to detail."

Delone Carter echoed Dantley's thoughts.

“It’s just like a new year, we’re done rebuilding, and we’re here now," the junior tailback said. "The coaching staff is incredible, they’re perfectionists. It’s being run professionally and in a business-like manner.”

Once aboard, Marrone set to work building his staff. He brought back from Robinson's staff defensive line coach Derrick Jackson and fellow Syracuse alum, linebacker coach Dan Conley. He then hired an impressive list of coaches from a variety of backgrounds like former Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence to head the offense, former Michigan defensive coordinator Scott Shafer to lead the defense and former Tennessee coaches Stan Drayton and Greg Adkins to coach the running backs and the offensive line. 

Obviously turning around a team that won a total of 10 games during Greg Robinson's four year tenure will be no easy task. All things considered though, if Doug Marrone is anything close to the savior that Orange fans are hoping for then 2009 should at least mark the team's return to competitiveness. 

And why not? As Marrone, the spark of hope for Syracuse fans said, "I cannot fail! I cannot fail! My only option is to win! That's what I'm here to do."

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