Syracuse vs. UConn: Marrone Of The Year

by Sean Keeley on Nov 18, 2010 10:34 AM EST

Doug Marrone is at the forefront of the Big East Coach of the Year discussion. But how bout National Coach of the Year? There's some pretty good arguments to be made there. He can probably lock his name into the discussion with a win Saturday against UConn. It also helps if people get out and vote for him in the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year competition.

Marrone, who in two seasons has turned a team mired in losing into a bowl-eligible contender for the Big East title, is currently 26th in fan voting, which continues through Dec. 4.

If enough fans vote (once per day is permitted), Marrone would join 14 other coaches in an "evaluation period" that looks at coaching excellence, sportsmanship, adademic excellence and community commitment to determine a group of finalists.

Here's the link: Go. Vote. Now.

Marrone might get some good news on the depth chart side of things for once. Prince-Tyson Gulley, who has been out battling mono, has returned to practice this week for the Orange. A decision on whether he'll play Saturday hasn't been made yet.

Opinions once again remain divided on the game. We've turned Brian Bennett into a believer but Lenn Robbins is still on the other side of the fence.

We'll find out soon enough. Meanwhile, check out Dave Rahme's slideshow on the Orange seniors.

Tweet Comment 35 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

So is that vote actually determining the Coach of the Year finalists? Because that’s bullshit. The fact that JoePa is ahead of Marrone is proof enough of that.

Go, fight, and win.

by Alex O on Nov 18, 2010 10:43 AM EST reply actions 2 recs

it's a popularity contest

What did you expect? I expect that HCDM will get a fair shake when it comes to things like AP, Football Writers, etc.

We will not rest until we see these capitalist octopuses annihilated.

-Che Marrone

by jpb531 on Nov 18, 2010 11:00 AM EST up reply actions

And those are the ones that really matter, right? Isn’t this one just a big advertisement for Liberty Mutual?

Go, fight, and win.

by Alex O on Nov 18, 2010 11:56 AM EST up reply actions

results so far

S. Alabama, Texas, and Clemson all ahead of HCDM. Really??? I think SU nation can bump him into the top 15.

by orangefan6 on Nov 18, 2010 11:41 AM EST reply actions

I Voted But...

Looking at the list of people ahead of him, that is a BS poll and I would give that about as much credibility as a used condom. Even if there are arguments for more qualified candidates, at least half of that list is crap. I think HCDM should win but serious, how in the hell is Clemson’s coach ahead of him or even Mack Brown at Texas? You guys are right, this is more popularity than who actually deserves it.

by Orange Chuck on Nov 18, 2010 11:52 AM EST reply actions

How can SU compete

where they are going up against state schools with enrollments of thousands?

**FREE FreeBradshaw***

by ryanwk628 on Nov 18, 2010 11:54 AM EST reply actions

I am not voting for Marrone.........

Let the rest of world be ignorant. I don’t want anyone coming to poach our HCDM away. Actually, I hope Miami calls him up. Then he can fly down to meet the regents and look them straight in the eye and say,

“F*#$ you Miami. Not for all the bologna sandwiches in the world would I coach your team.”

Then he flies back to Syracuse with letters of intent from some nasty south florida athletes that he visited on Miami’s free flight down.

HCDM ALL THE WAY.

by CuseAlum07 on Nov 18, 2010 12:03 PM EST reply actions

No amount of bologna

is making him leave. When he says this is his dream job I believe it.

Go, fight, and win.

by Alex O on Nov 18, 2010 12:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

I was pondering this the other day

Not a chance in hell that Marrone leaves SU to coach at another school. But what if the NFL comes calling after a few seasons of success at SU? They could double his salary instantly. At what point does HCDM leave his dream job for a promotion or “family reasons”? Its not that unthinkable.

In truth I think we are secure in HCDM for a long while. More worried about when one of big boys come calling for Scott Shafer. I could see him moving up the coaching ranks in college real quick.

GO ORANGE

by bloodyyank44 on Nov 18, 2010 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

Shafer may leave some day

But hopefully he will leave behind his system. Maybe Dan Conley or someone else can operate it competently.

Better yet… let’s go to the BCS game… make some additional cash… and keep Shafer.

by ezcuse on Nov 18, 2010 2:15 PM EST up reply actions

+1 (awesome!)

by rjofee on Nov 18, 2010 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

Really

#1, I don’t see Marrone leaving.

#2, if Marrone does leave, I don’t see him leaving for a college job. Maybe the pros.

#3, if he was offered a deal to coach, say, the Jets, why would we begrudge him that? As long as he leaves the program in good condition, that works. Look at the transition from Mac to Coach P. That worked fine. It can be done.

#4, the days of coaches staying in one place forever is probably going to end with Paterno. If Marrone wants a new test after 10 years, so be it.

The bottom line is that what HCDM has done is entirely beyond measurement as it relates to (a) developing these kids as players; (b) developing these kids as men; and © restoring interest to the program. The fact that the attendance is paltry is an embarrassment that we are all powerless to fix. We cannot MAKE people go to the game. But we can see to it that he makes it to the top 15. That’s what we can do.

Does he care? No. But sometimes you have to make the modest person blush…

by ezcuse on Nov 18, 2010 2:14 PM EST up reply actions

I feel the same

Maybe the NFL comes calling if he impresses year over year, but I doubt even then he would leave. I think the same thing that keeps Boeheim here is what will keep Marrone here: tradition, integrity and loyalty.

I agree that some of his Assistants are more of a danger of being poached. Scott was a great find, and I hope Marrone is able to keep him for a while, but with his talent level I cant see him wanting to be a defensive coordinator forever. Worst case is Shafer leaves after a couple years and due to our growing win record we can get someone on par with him.

by Pinker on Nov 18, 2010 12:41 PM EST reply actions

Post-Standard Online Headline from 2033

Syracuse Football Head Coach Doug Marrone Retires

After 25 years as head coach of Syracuse University’s 10-time National Championship winning football team, Doug Marrone will be retiring following another winning season.

by Pinker on Nov 18, 2010 12:46 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

I'm sure folks on the Syracuse.com holographic message board in 2033 will be railing on him for losing 3 games in his last season.

saying he’s getting old and the game has passed him by.

Go Tartans!

by voteprime on Nov 18, 2010 12:49 PM EST up reply actions

In other news

RoboBoeheim just notched win 1500

Go, fight, and win.

by Alex O on Nov 18, 2010 1:16 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Post in 2033

Kinglakerman…. I know all you kool-aid drinkers think 10 National Championships is impressive. But we would have won 25 if the precious preppie had not started all those games in 2009…

by ezcuse on Nov 18, 2010 2:17 PM EST up reply actions

syracuse.com forums

the place where logic, reason and common sense all go to die.

On the bright side…HCDM has added about 1000 votes since that article was posted this AM.

GO ORANGE

by bloodyyank44 on Nov 18, 2010 2:27 PM EST up reply actions

Excellent jab about "King of the Trolls" Kinglakerman

yeah, its scary to read the boards over there on syracuse.com. Full of basement-dwelling trolls, idiots, and rubes. If that was my only online forum for meeting other die-hard Cuse fans, there would be no hosting a tailgate for UConn this weekend!!!!!!!!

Its only because of the enjoyment that the guys and gals here get out of watching SU play along with that positive attitude that I really am looking forward to seeing everyone on Saturday!

by Pinker on Nov 18, 2010 4:09 PM EST up reply actions