:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/64757007/usa_today_11910938.0.jpg)
Dino Babers may be the most media-savvy employee Syracuse Athletics has, and yes, I know the Athletic Director came from a VP role at ESPN. There is no single person who knows how to capitalize on attention, and distract the media in a way that not only interests them, but endears himself to the group at large, the way Dino does.
Naturally, a media event like the ACC Football Kickoff is Dino’s wheelhouse. Syracuse is one of the darlings of the conference right now, and everyone wants a Babers quote. He didn’t disappoint, so here are some of Dino’s best quips from the day.
Syracuse HC Dino Babers on having RS Sophomore QB Tommy DeVito representing the team at #ACCKickoff:
— Joe Marino (@TheJoeMarino) July 17, 2019
"If the shoes are too big, then too bad. He's got to grow up and fill them."
SOMEONE GET THIS KID PASTA, STAT!
Dino Babers: "We've had some guys like Vanilla Ice on our team. You know, a one-hit wonder. We want you to be like the Commodores. The Beatles. Queen."
— That's so David (@ADavidHaleJoint) July 17, 2019
I mean, damn. That is both insulting to Vanilla Ice, whomever he is referring to and confounding me by mixing the Commodores with The Beatles and Queen.
Dabo refers to Syracuse as "a salty bunch."
— That's so David (@ADavidHaleJoint) July 17, 2019
I have nothing to add here.
I mean, duh.
Syracuse coach Dino Babers is singing the praises of the nice, white, clean snow of Central NY. He says there is a purity about it ... especially when on the 7th day they play a game inside the only Power 5 dome and can make the temperature whatever they want. pic.twitter.com/WcsBj00TYg
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) July 17, 2019
A Dino-written biblical telling of Syracuse football would be a must-have in all rooms at the Sheraton.
Dino Babers was asked why Syracuse should still feel like a big underdog to Clemson after a win and close loss.
— That's so David (@ADavidHaleJoint) July 17, 2019
Dino: "Did you see what they did to Alabama?"
Interestingly, Dylan Moses did not.
All they did was stop a team dumb enough to lead block with a holder. And on that note...
#Syracuse Dino Babers kicker quote:
— Billy Heyen (@Wheyen3) July 17, 2019
"You've seen the mountain top, OK? You've seen what it looks like," Babers said. "You know how difficult it is. I think that gives us a little bit of an edge that we know we can (beat Clemson).
"That doesn't mean you will." https://t.co/Qoe5ITOshg
CUE THE DISRESPEK MACHINE.
Also, take what you will from this quote...
Asked Dino about all the worries he will eventually leave Syracuse for greener pastures. I have no idea what to make of this answer but I did ask him to connect me with his realtor. pic.twitter.com/zeSAmeFr82
— That's so David (@ADavidHaleJoint) July 17, 2019
And finally, from the Athletic’s wonderful piece by Matt Fortuna;
“Eminem is one of the greatest rappers of all-time,” he said. “They don’t give him his credit because he’s a white guy. We’re not gonna go racial. But the one line that he said in one of his rap songs, he said: Hey, like Elvis Presley can do black music and make myself wealthy. Hey! There’s a concept that works!
Don’t leave us Dino. We’d get too damn bored.