Kiffin to Syracuse?
Syracuse coach Greg Robinson is as good as gone. It's astonishing how bad the Orangemen have become over the last couple of years. The latest rumor has embattled Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin as a potential replacement. Kiffin could be fired at any time by owner Al Davis, who feels his 33-year-old coach has been guilty of insubordination. Kiffin has told the media in the Bay Area that he is being undermined by Davis and his defensive coordinator, Rob Ryan.
It'll be interesting to see what today at One Bills Drive. The opposing coach talks to the Buffalo media as part of the Wednesday media session. I wonder if Kiffin will take part, and if he does, how he will manage to sidestep the issue of his job security. He might be fired during the day. Reports out of Oakland say it would be a bad time to pull the trigger, but that Davis is capable of anything at this point.
As for Robinson, I would fire him on the spot. Syracuse needs to send a message that the embarrassment has gone too far. So what if it's during the season? How could things get any worse on the Hill? Losing by two touchdowns to Akron? Oh, that already happened. Blown out at home by Penn State? Not a single player picked in the NFL draft? The rumor mill suggests that if Kiffin becomes available, Syracuse might make the move in-season because Kiffin would be ready to take over right away.
Off topic, but, what about a blog article on the "Sugar Rush"?
I'm waiting to have surgery on my deployment so I can hook back up with my unit over in Iraq and I caught the Bills "Sugar Rush" only through an article on here.
Apreciate it..
Sgt, Army MP.
Posted by: Texas Longhorn | September 20, 2008 at 07:51 PM
Theres nothing wrong with Kiffin, bad choice for a job. You know Davis is famous for his lack of patience. SU would be lucky to get Kiffin
Posted by: Donald | September 18, 2008 at 01:14 PM
As an SU alum, I am ready to start writing letters and being one of the annoying alumni members who gives administration headaches. Robinson was an awful choice initially. I would welcome Lane Kiffin, as the offensive coordinator for Turner Gill!
Posted by: Eric | September 17, 2008 at 06:18 PM
Tony - Jerry did not start this rumor. The Syracuse newspaper reporter who covers SU football reports two insiders told him Gross wants Kiffin.
My question is...how does paring down the list of 100 five-star recruits who want to go to USC to the 20 you take prepare Kiffin to work at SU?
Posted by: zibby | September 17, 2008 at 05:50 PM
I hope this is more than a "Darryl Gross and Lane Kiffin were at USC together" concoction. It's my belief that, if true, Kiffin would turn around the program in short order. He has one of the best offensive minds around. He has a lot of energy and, as evidenced by Pete Carroll, that certainly helps. I'm assuming that Kiffin wouldn't want to start until next year, though.
Posted by: Chad | September 17, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Got a source for this rumor, or just some creative thinking? Perfect timing, though. Oakland plays Buffalo. Kiffin does his weekly local media call. Al Davis' alma mater. Why not start a rumor?
Posted by: Tony | September 17, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Darryl Gross is not a football person. The AD at USC let (Gross)him promote himself as a key person in hiring Pete Carroll when he was at USC so that it would look better for him getting an AD position. USC wanted him out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's a joke at Syracuse except for LAX.
Posted by: todd | September 17, 2008 at 01:02 PM
James Lofton should thank his lucky stars that he did not get the head coaching position in that asylum right now.
Posted by: Mark | September 17, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Im sure Kiffen would love to get as far away as he possibly could from Oakland after this debacle. As long as Kiffen scraps the west coast offense that Robinson "installed" it would be a great fit.
Posted by: Shaun | September 17, 2008 at 10:31 AM
Embarassment is an understatement @ SU. If you take the MAC games out, Robinson has won two games in the Carrier Dome, long considered one of the more difficult venues for opponents in all college football. Whether its Lane Kiffin or Donald Sutherland, the next SU coach has the fate of himeslf and Darryl Gross in his hands. Football was to be Gross's strong suit and so far the results have been a titanic failure. Kiffin being a USC guy is probably a lead candidate but it would be difficult for every card to fall into place for this to happen this year. Keep Robinson away from curtain rods if they lose to national powerhouse Northeastern this week.
Posted by: Jerry's Tweed Jacket | September 17, 2008 at 10:09 AM