The New Gig - Scott Shafer Breaks Silence On Being Named Head Coach

Hours after officially being named the next head coach of the Syracuse football program, Scott Shafer made the media rounds on Wednesday. The former SU defensive coordinator provided some insight on his future plans for the program.

Scott Shafer Officially Named Syracuse Football Head Coach

After serving as defensive coordinator for four seasons, Scott Shafer was officially promoted and named the head coach of the Syracuse football program on Wednesday.

Reports: Nate Hackett Leaving Syracuse To Join Doug Marrone, Buffalo Bills, Actually

Well, so much for 100% continuity.

Brett McMurphy might have reported that Nate Hackett was staying with the Syracuse Orange as offensive coordinator yesterday but it turns out...not so. The Buffalo News has confirmed that Hackett will indeed follow Doug Marrone to the Buffalo Bills.

The Buffalo News has confirmed Syracuse offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett is joining Doug Marrone with the Bills

— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) January 9, 2013

Nathaniel Hackett will be the Bills' next offensive coordinator.

— Tim Graham (@ByTimGraham) January 9, 2013

Well then. Remember when I said it was okay to go have a bath? I lied.

Hackett's departure mean's Syracuse's 2012 offensive identity leaves with him. With a defensive-minded head coach, a new OC and a new QB, it's anyone's guess what SU's offense will look like in 2013.

Not to mention this could throw a lot of recruiting wrenches into the mix. Zach Allen and Austin Wilson have been kind enough to keep their word so far, but, might this change their minds? And of course that's before we get to folks like Augustus Edwards and Laray Smith.

Well, that's a bummer. Not much else to say at the moment. Damn.

But hey, at least Ryan Nassib's got a job lined up now.

Syracuse Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett Headed To Bills, Per Reports

After being assured Monday that the Syracuse football program was going to retain both its defensive and offensive coordinators, less than 24 hours later its seems one is destined to join Doug Marrone in Buffalo.

Syracuse Players Heart (Reportedly) New Head Coach Scott Shafer

More important than whether or not you or I like Scott Shafer as the new head coach of the Syracuse Orange, the Syracuse football team also has an opinion on the man who is about to take over their lives. And they couldn't be more thrilled.

It's a celebration in Syracuse. Great hire and it's a nice way to pick up where coach marrone left off

— Keon Lyn(@KeonLyn8) January 8, 2013

Super excited to have Coach Shafer calling the shots now. He deserves it Now Lets Go win the ACC. #cusenation

— Rob Welsh (@Welsha_Tron94) January 8, 2013

Could not be happier with coach Shafer being promoted!Great news for #orangenation. #excited

— Sean Hickey (@HickeyCuse60) January 8, 2013

So when is the official announcement? Since news was leaked by Gross broke already, expect it come as early as tomorrow (Wednesday). In them meantime, what's everyone else thinking?

Brent Axe says Scott Shafer was the right hire for Syracuse, though if he has one request, it's that HCSS work on his "CEO" process:

One thing Shafer will have to get better at is the "CEO" portion of the job. We know he can coach. Now, add in the other parts of the job like talking to the media, overseeing the entire coaching staff, and the public relations aspect of being a head coach. It all adds up.

Even if the news hadn't been leaked yesterday, it's easy to read DOC Gross' comments from yesterday and see that he was headed in this direction:

"We’re not looking for a huge culture change here. ...we have no need for a new hope coming in. We already have hope. Let’s move forward with what we’ve started."

Finally, Dave Rahme remembers what Doug Marrone said when he hired Shafer, that the DC reminded him of himself. And Rahme also reminds us of Shafer's overall philosophy, which shouldn't change much now that he's in charge:

"The biggest thing is (defensive) philosophy has to be backed up with consistency in the way you practice and the way you actually live your daily life as a student-athlete, " he said. "The thing we want to be is demanding with our kids. We want to create a sense of accountability to one another ... controlling the things we can control on a daily basis. We always talk about attitude, effort and enthusiasm. Those will be the three things I'm always harking back to. All we want to do is get a little bit better every single day.

Syracuse Football: When Being Swift Is Better Than Being Quick

All signs point to defensive coordinator Scott Shafer to be Doug Marrone's replacement, but is Syracuse rushing to judgement?

Getting Reacquainted With New Syracuse Head Coach Scott Shafer

As we await official word on Scott Shafer's hiring as the next head coach of Syracuse Orange football, let's get re-acquainted with our new overlord.

First of all, drink up everyone! (H/T: Gerald H.)

Second, I totally mean this as a not-so-humble brag...here's my piece entitled "Why Isn't Anyone Talking About Scott Shafer" written in 2009. /dusts shoulders

Scott Shafer's Wikipedia page already says he's head coach, so I guess it's true. Also, THAT PHOTO!

Don't feel like you know anything about HCSS and want to get acclimated? Here are some key quotes...

"Scheme is overrated, I've always believed that. What's not overrated is getting your kids to play with great effort, great attitude and great enthusiasm. Those are things we can control on a daily basis, and that will be my primary goal. . . . The philosophy of our defense is attack-oriented, attack and react. We want to be a defense this is multiple, that is always putting pressure and forcing the hand of the offense. We want to be a penetrating defense. If you're going to (ask) what our objectives are? The one thing we want to do is stop the run, force them to throw the ball on first down, create negative plays on first down . . . and get ourselves in position to force them to throw the ball. Get them one-dimensional. We don't want to be a defense that sits back. We want to be a defense that creates turnovers and scores touchdowns."

"We're an attack defense; scheme is overrated. All schemes can work if you tackle and keep the ball in front. We're an aggressive defense, force the offense's hand. We're going to stop the run on early downs and force the pass. We'll get situations where when we are forcing the pass, we hit the quarterback, forcing him to throw the ball into coverage."

"I’m extremely excited to be a part of Syracuse University. I think back to my early years as a coach and when I first starting recruiting in the east, especially in New Jersey and New York, I remember seeing Syracuse everywhere, whether it was on the clinic circuit or passing through each high school. I would run into Coach DeLeone and ask him where the best schools were. I’m really excited to take on the responsibility of getting Syracuse back to where they were and fight our buns off to maintain the integrity of the east in recruiting. More importantly, get those kids in here and get back to the top of the BIG EAST." - 2009

And my personal favorite from his intro press conference in 2009:

"Stats are for losers. If we hold them to less yards then I don’t care, but if we hold them to less points, then that’s what I’m looking for. Those are the things we’ll focus on."

If you're wondering who Shafer might bump up to be his DC, Orange Fizz may have called it when Tim Daoust was hired.

Some other good Scott Shafer reads from over the years include...

• In 3rd job in 3 years, new Syracuse defensive coordinator Scott Shafer looking for stability at SU...Daily Orange
• From scratch: Shafer rejuvenates career as mastermind of SU’s defensive transformation...Daily Orange
• Syracuse Football Q and A: Defensive Coordinator Scott Shafer (Part I, Part II)...Brent Axe
• Defensive coordinator Scott Shafer says Syracuse players 'were hungry to be coached hard'...Syracuse.com

Nate Hackett To Remain Syracuse Offensive Coordinator, According To Report

With the news that Scott Shafer would ascend to head coach of Syracuse Orange football, the next big question was whether or not Nate Hackett would remain on as SU's offensive coordinator. ESPN's Brett McMurphy is saying that he most certainly will...

Syracuse DC Scott Shafer is SU's coach & Nathaniel Hackett will remain OC, source told @espn. Shafer hiring 1st reported by @bfeldmancbs

— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) January 8, 2013

Great news for Syracuse fans looking for continuity and, most importantly, keeping our incoming recruits happy. From the reaction we've been seeing tonight, the players love Shafer and I'm willing to bet there's a lot of love for Hackett as well, especially from incoming quarterback phenom Zach Allen.

Hackett called the plays on Syracuse's history-making offense in 2012. Aside from some dubious goaline decision-making, it was a huge success and proof that Hackett could put together a gameplan that's fun for players and puts points on the scoreboard.

One has to wonder if this also means Charley Loeb is officially off the board next year. Hackett's probably going to want one of "his" guys taking snaps. But...that's a discussion for another time.

Scott Shafer Will Be The Next Syracuse Football Head Coach, Per Report

Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com is reporting what we were already hearing, that defensive coordinator Scott Shafer is going to be promoted to head coach of the Syracuse Orange football team.