Assistant Coaches Rob Spence, Jamie Elizondo And Derrick Jackson Fired (Updated Again)

by Sean Keeley on Nov 30, 2009 2:00 PM EST Comment 14 comments

I had heard something along these lines last night but figured I'd wait and see what comes of it. Sure enough when I woke up this morning, the rumors were mongering. Via Brent Axe...

The website footballscoop.com is reporting that Syracuse football offensive coordinator Rob Spence and wide receivers coach Jamie Elizondo have been let go.

Here is what the website reports.

"Our sources just told us moments ago that offensive coordinator Rob Spence and wide receivers coach Jamie Elizondo have been let go."

Probably the first thing SU fans notice is that Special Teams coach Bob Casullo isn't on that list. Then again, Marrone has been giving Casullo the benefit of the doubt the last couple weeks, peppering his comments with explanations that the special teams unit is undermanned and outgunned. Not sure how that explains the fumbles and bad kicks, but, fair enough.

Now...if this is true, that's quite a shocker to see Rob Spence go so quickly. The SU offense had its struggles but, like Casullo, Spence wasn't always playing with a stacked deck either. Then again the SU offense did look stale most times. Greg Paulus broke the SU completion percentage record but much of that was because he was throwing screens and dink passes all day. If not for Delone Carter's 2nd-half surge, the offense would have been in huge trouble most of the way.

Or maybe Marrone has his eye on someone else and needed to clear house. God, please don't let it be Kragthorpe...

As for Elizondo, I'm going to guess this was a philosophy thing. Not sure you can fault him for working with the scraps after Mike Williams left.

More as it develops...

Update: Donnie Webb is reporting that Derrick Jackson is also being shown the door by Doug Marrone today. Jackson was one of only two holdovers from the Greg Robinson staff, the other being Dan Conley. Marrone is on the road recruiting but is apparantly going to have some kind of press conference later today. Stay tuned...

Update: Guess not on that press conference. Via DO Sports on Twitter: "No Marrone press conference this week, and no confirmation on the rumors about the firing of Coach Spence and Coach Elizondo." No confirmation also means no denial...

Update: Aaaaand, it's official. "Offensive coordinator Rob Spence, Wide Receivers coach Jaime Elizondo and Defensive line coach Derrick Jackson will not be returning to coach for the Sryacuse University football team next season." But what does DOCTOR Gross think???

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Comments

Could it be...

Weiss?
Just Kidding, though more likely it is will be himself taking over as I have heard he really did that the final 2 games.

by fantasybc88 on Nov 30, 2009 12:05 PM EST reply actions

Wasn’t Elizondo the WR coach with the Montreal Alouettes before coming to Syracuse? Clearly, they did a pretty good job without him…

by stumpycuse on Nov 30, 2009 12:15 PM EST reply actions

Wow - didn't see this coming

My concern is this – staff turnover has been a real problem for Syracuse, and it’s been tough to develop any consistency as a result. On the other hand, I wasn’t all that impressed with Spence this year, and since Marrone knows offense, we have to trust him to make the right move here. Very interesting news, regardless. Perhaps he wants to bring in a more option style coordinator, to go with his new incoming freshman QBs (both of whom are somewhat mobile)? That would make eiremist happy, and I wouldn’t be opposed to that either.

"(BARF)" - Donovan McNabb, during his game winning drive against Virginia Tech in 1998

by kotite4ever on Nov 30, 2009 12:21 PM EST reply actions

Ralph Friedgen?

Worked with Doug at GT from ’97 to ’99. Born in New York state.

by KaiserKyle on Nov 30, 2009 12:55 PM EST reply actions

Just clearing the way

for his boy Paulus to take over. Next year he will probably demote himself and appoint Greg head coach.

by FireMikeVeley on Nov 30, 2009 1:05 PM EST reply actions

Now Syracuse.com is saying 3 coaches are gone.

Add the D-Line coach.

by moosedontbounce on Nov 30, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Spence was the best guy we could get at the time. HCDM may want to grab a guy he has a better relationship with or with better recruiting ties.

I can see giving Casullo another chance. Normally special teams is 3rd string guys…. our 3rd string guys were starting O.

by ryanwk628 on Nov 30, 2009 1:29 PM EST reply actions

Not to kick a guy when he's down, but seriously

what is going on with Jackson’s ears?

Those bad boys alone a worthy of firing!

Go Tartans!

by voteprime on Nov 30, 2009 2:50 PM EST reply actions

DO Sports

Just tweeted that it is a done deal, official announcement coming soon. http://twitter.com/DOsports

by Otis Hill on Nov 30, 2009 3:07 PM EST reply actions

But what does DOCTOR Gross think???

That he never paired well with any of those guys in photos anyway, so good riddance!

Go Tartans!

by voteprime on Nov 30, 2009 3:20 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

ITS NOT

GETTING FIRED IF YOUR CONTRACT ISN’T RENEWED, REMEMBER THAT.

sorry, had to do it

by Russianator on Nov 30, 2009 3:40 PM EST reply actions

Makes me wonder...

I have a feeling that Marrone started calling the plays on offense the last few weeks and probably had a more hands on role in the prep. I have no basis for that. But it’s pretty obvious that the play calling was completely different toward the end of the season. Marrone probably just didn’t want to be a dick and make a public announcement that Spence would no longer be calling the plays.

by DMF on Nov 30, 2009 5:08 PM EST reply actions