Scott Shafer Will Reportedly Be Named Syracuse Head Coach

With Doug Marrone leaving his job as head coach of Syracuse to take over the NFL's Buffalo Bills, the Orange have reportedly identified his replacement: Scott Shafer. 

CBS Sports' Bruce Feldman tweeted out the news. 

"

BREAKING: Syracuse will hire Scott Shafer as its new head coach, source tells CBS: cbsprt.co/VzQSOL

— Bruce Feldman (@BFeldmanCBS) January 8, 2013"

This move makes a ton of sense, as it gives the rising Orange continuity. Shafer, 46, has been on the staff for four years, and he was the defensive coordinator last season.

Promoting Shafer will help steady the recruiting class that was built under the guidance of Marrone. It will also make keeping the existing staff in place an easier task, and that is something that needed to be a priority for the Orange. 

Syracuse will be moving to the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013, and it will do so with a nice sense of momentum. 

Marrone led the Orange to an 8-5 record last season, which put him at 25-25 for his four-year run as Orange head coach.

While that is a modest record, it is far better than what Syracuse was getting previously. In the seven years preceding Marrone, the Orange went 26-57.

Given this, it easy to see why Marrone got the call to the NFL, and why Syracuse is reported to be hiring from within. 

Still, this move is not without risk. Shafer has no head-coaching experience, and he will be thrown right into the fire with this promotion. While the familiarity with the program, players and everything else will make the transition easier, some people are just better suited to be coordinators, rather than the head man. 

Syracuse better hope that Shafer does not fall into that category.