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Since last week, when Doug Marrone began interviewing with NFL teams leading to him eventually taking the head coaching job of the Buffalo Bills, new Syracuse football head coach Scott Shafer had not spoken.
His silence was broken Wednesday evening, hours after officially being promoted to head coach, as he did the media rounds speaking with ESPN CNY and The Post Standard's Dave Rahme.
"I want to make sure we have a seamless transition from the great things Coach Marrone has put in place and to the direction we want to take moving forward, which is basically the same direction," Shafer said. "There will be a sense of integrity, discipline and focus with the way we do things."
Shafer, 46, was asked a slew of questions that come with the territory of being the CEO of a college football program. Here's a rundown of some of his answers to the obvious questions.
Hiring new coordinators
"You don't want to hurry, but you do want to be quick" Shafer quoting John Wooden in how fast he wants to put staff together at SU.
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) January 9, 2013
"I will try to keep my hand in it because I have an interest in that side of the ball" -Shafer on staying involved in the defense.
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) January 9, 2013
"We have some talented people in house, Tyrone Wheatley and Rob Moore, that can help that next guy take it to the next level" on new SU OC
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) January 9, 2013
Scott Shafer on @espncny "I have a 3 deep on all the different (coaching) positions that could be open."
— Brian Higgins (@BrianHigginsSU) January 9, 2013
Recruiting
Scott Shafer on recruiting on @espncny "The biggest thing we want, we want the kids who want to play for Syracuse."
— Brian Higgins (@BrianHigginsSU) January 9, 2013
"I feel strong about it. I have gotten good feedback. If anything slipped off, maybe we didn't want him here anyway" -Shafer on recruiting
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) January 9, 2013
Overall style of play
"I want people to say when you play Syracuse, the one thing you will know is you will play a hard-nosed, physical outfit"
— Brent Axe (@BrentAxeMedia) January 9, 2013
Most of what Shafer said Wednesday was just obvious coach speak, and we all probably will not found out details of his plans until Spring Ball when all his assistant coaches are in line and the incoming recruiting class is in place.