Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer was fired on Monday by Director of Athletics Mark Coyle. Shafer will still coach his final game against Boston College on Saturday.

As fans tailgated before the BC game, here are some of their thoughts on SU’s coaching situation.

Scott Littlefield, six-year season-ticket holder, SU Class of 1987

“I don’t think SU should be in that ‘fire a coach every three years’ mentality. I just don’t think we’re like Alabama, Ohio State, if the guy’s not doing it, fire him and start all over again. I think SU has to be a little bit more patient with its coaches. I know Coyle’s coming in and I’m sure he was hoping it would work out, but I just don’t know what the alternatives are.”

“At this point I’m kind of excited to see what happens, I just hope it’s the right move. I just hope it’s not a swing and a miss because that’s going to set us back. We’ve got this class of kids with Moe Neal and Rex Culpepper and they’re all kind of sitting on their hands not knowing what’s going to happen.”

Tim Durham, 20-year season-ticket holder

“Scott Shafer plays, in my opinion, not to lose instead of playing to win. Last week was a prime example. You got fourth-and-goal from the 2 and you kick a field goal. Your season’s done anyway, you might as well go for it. He just didn’t have the guts to go for it and I think that’s why he lost his job.”

Dan Chamberlain, 28-year season-ticket holder

“I was upset when he got fired. I understand a little why the AD had to do it but I think Shafer, if he was given the time to do it, with what he had in place, what he was doing, he would have definitely built it into a winning program. At the very least I think he should have gotten one more year. But I understand the AD was under pressure after two losing seasons.”

Ben Watkins, first-year season-ticket holder, SU Class of 2008

“I think he had to be fired. If you’re going to make a move, you have to make it then. It’s kind of an unfortunate situation, he was building some momentum getting some good players in here. You could see the players played hard for him but the last couple games, a lot of silly penalties. He lost his mind two straight games … it seems like the pressure just kind of got to him a little bit.”

Joel Gusman, 25-year season-ticket holder

“I loved his intensity and he won me over, but in the end, after losing eight in a row, it’s tough. I respect the decision. I hope he gets another chance somewhere else but it’s time to move on.”

Jeremy Conners, eight-year season-ticket holder

“A change had to be made. You can’t lose games like the Virginia game, the South Florida game, the Pittsburgh game. Back-to-back three-win seasons unfortunately with below average recruiting isn’t going to cut it in today’s day and age … The downfall was in-game coaching mistakes. He just didn’t seem to learn from week to week. He seemed over his head for the position.”

John Ostapovich, three-year season-ticket holder, SU Class of 1997

When Shafer got hired three years ago, his passion and enthusiasm for Syracuse and the community actually encouraged me to become a season-ticket holder. … (But) it didn’t feel like he had a good feel for the game. It was hard to say whether or not he was ever going to learn that. I was always on the fence the last couple of weeks of whether or not he should go but I don’t disagree with the AD’s decision.

Published on November 28, 2015 at 12:12 pm

Contact Paul: pmschwed@syr.edu | @pschweds