Syracuse Football: Coaches, Players, Recruits React to Scott Shafer's Firing

Syracuse director of athletics Mark Coyle officially fired SU head coach Scott Shafer on Monday morning. Since then, several players (both current and former), coaches and recruits have come forth to give their thoughts. You can find much of that coverage at dailyorange.com and Syracuse.com, but here is a roundup of some of the best quotes:

Players

Former running back Prince-Tyson Gulley, via The Daily Orange:

"We've been discussing a lot of things as alumni. I just feel like this is one of the problems with why Syracuse can never get to the point that we can get, is because every 3-4 years we are switching coach."

"Shafer, they just need to give him a chance to build the program. Me knowing him personally, if he would be able to get enough time just to mold these kids and get a full at least five or six years ... he has to create the culture that he wants."

"Honestly, we got to trust (Director of Athletics Mark Coyle). We've got to trust him, that he knows exactly what he's doing, because it's already done."

Former defensive lineman Wayne Williams, who said he was dismissed following last season "without explanation," via The Daily Orange:

"Wonder if he was as surprised as I was when I heard he was leaving," Williams said. "I like playing at Syracuse University. I don't control who coaches there. Like he says, control the controllables."

Linebacker Zaire Franklin:

Thankful for the opportunity you gave me and everything you taught me, and I'm sorry that it ended this way @Coach_Shafer

— Zaire (@ZiggySmalls_) November 23, 2015

Defensive tackle Kayton Samuels:

...

— Kayton Samuels (@Yall_JustMyfans) November 23, 2015

Kicker Cole Murphy:

I wouldn't be where I am today if it weren't for @Coach_Shafer . I'm very sad it had to end this way. Thank you for everything coach.

— Cole Murphy (@_ColeMurphy_) November 23, 2015

Safety Daivon Ellison:

I appreciate everything @Coach_Shafer has done for me! He was able to look past my height & understood the dog that was in me

— Tha OG $avage (@DaiEllison_2) November 23, 2015

Former wide receiver Ashton Broyld:

Broyld said that he is a huge Scott Shafer fan and will miss him. "That’s my dawg. I wish that wouldn’t happen to him."

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) November 23, 2015

Broyld on Shafer: "He’s not everybody’s favorite person in the world...A lot of people have their different opinions about him."

— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) November 23, 2015

Former quarterback Troy Nunes:

Coach Shafer and his wife are amazing people. People you want around your program. Wish them all the best for sure.

— Troy Nunes (@troynunes) November 23, 2015

Recruits

Syracuse Class of 2017 verbal commit Isaiah McDuffie. https://t.co/SRaXGBTK2m

— Paul Schwedelson (@pschweds) November 23, 2015

Syracuse Class of 2016 verbal commit Taylor Riggins (@RigginsTr) tells me his "commitment is still with the Orange."

— Paul Schwedelson (@pschweds) November 23, 2015

Class of 2017 3-star WR Daewood Davis: "I'm still committed just going to open back up my recruitment." (1/2)

— Paul Schwedelson (@pschweds) November 23, 2015

(2/2) Davis, continued on Shafer firing: "It affects a lot because I was building chemistry with Coach Shafer and its a shocker"

— Paul Schwedelson (@pschweds) November 23, 2015

Coaches

Via Syracuse.com, wide receivers coach Bobby Acosta, part of a staff that Coyle informed would be let go:

"It's sad," Acosta said, tears welling in his eye. "You get so close to the players. You fall in love with them."

Boston College coach Steve Addazio:

Addazio on Syracuse's firing of Scott Shafer: ``It's a sad commentary ... Scott Shafer's a hell of a football coach and a hell of a guy.''

— Michael Vega (@MBVEGA) November 23, 2015

And Shafer himself:

Win the day! #BeatBC

— Coach Scott Shafer (@Coach_Shafer) November 23, 2015

UPDATE:

Syracuse men's basketball coach Jim Boeheim also chimed in. Via Syracuse.com:

"I like Coach Shafer. I think he did some really good things. But the (athletic) department has to do what they think is right. We just have to move on. It's always tough to see any coach get fired, especially a hard-working guy who has done a lot for this university. I wish him well."