Orange Nation: Let's Celebrate 'Coach Mac'

SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Hall of Fame head coach Dick MacPherson provided Orange Nation with countless reasons to smile during his 10-year tenure on the Syracuse sidelines, including the 1987 undefeated regular season and five bowl appearances. At Syracuse, 'Coach Mac' mentored 37 NFL Draft picks and 10 first-team All-Americans.

On Saturday, Sept 12, Syracuse University fans, alumni and the entire community are invited to smile back at the legendary coach and his family who gave their hearts and souls to our community. 'Coach Mac' and his family will be celebrated during Syracuse's game against Wake Forest on the very field where he worked his craft in the 1980s. Tickets are available online, by phone (888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office.

Be one of the 1st 10,000 fans in the Dome on Sat. & get your commemorative Coach Mac tie pin! Gates open at 10:30am! pic.twitter.com/D1aYIIyfgP
— Syracuse Athletics (@Cuse) September 9, 2015

MacPherson started his quest to return the Orange to the glory days of the 1950's and 60's in 1981, leaving the Cleveland Browns coaching staff to take the reins of the Syracuse program. While the MacPherson era did not begin in a way that most Syracuse fans hoped, MacPherson methodically built the program into a national power.

He started with the defense, which developed into as stingy a crew as any in the country. Beginning in 1983, Syracuse started a stretch of allowing less than 200 points in four of the next five seasons. The lowest of these marks came in 1984, when Syracuse surrendered just 151 points all year. Anchored by defensive tackle Tim Green, Syracuse went 6-5 in 1984, upending No.1 Nebraska at home in the process. The next year, MacPherson and the Orange recorded three shutouts and held three other opponents to 14 points or less en route to a 7-5 record and a Cherry Bowl appearance. In 1985, Syracuse began a roll of seven bowl berths in eight years.

After establishing the defense as the hallmark of the Orange football program, MacPherson went to work on the offense. In 1987, the high-powered Orange attack averaged 33 points per contest. Coupled with a defense that allowed just less than 14 points per game, Syracuse cruised through its schedule, winning every game by an average of 19 points. The only nailbiter came in the regular-season finale against West Virginia. Trailing the Mountaineers 31-24 with just 15 seconds left, quarterback Don McPherson found tight end Pat Kelly in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Rather than kick a PAT to tie the game, Coach Mac went for the two-point conversion and the victory. The gamble paid off, as McPherson pitched the ball to running back Michael Owens, who ran it into the end zone for the win.

In 1987, McPherson led the nation in passing efficiency with a mark of 164.3 and also set Syracuse single-season records for passing yards per game (212.8), touchdown passes (22) and most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (10). McPherson gathered several postseason accolades, and was the Heisman Trophy runner-up, as the team finished the season undefeated and tied Auburn in the Sugar Bowl. Syracuse's fourth-place finish in both the AP and Coaches polls solidified its legacy as the best SU team since the 1959 national champions. MacPherson racked up several national coach of the year awards for his team's superb performance. Nose guard Ted Gregory joined McPherson as an All-American, starting a string of six consecutive seasons that Syracuse featured at least one All-American.

Starting with the 1987 season, Syracuse accumulated more than 300 points in three of MacPherson's last four seasons, the mark of a potent offense. In 1988, the defense did not let up either as linebacker Markus Paul was selected as an All-American after recording four interceptions, forcing one fumble and recovering another. The team went undefeated at home and finished 10-2 to mark the first consecutive 10-win seasons in program history. The 1989 team had the honorable distinction of being the first 'Cuse squad to play overseas, beating Louisville, 24-13, in front of 50,000 fans at Tokyo Stadium. Syracuse football also celebrated its 100th birthday that year with a last-minute field goal by John Biskup to top Georgia, 19-18, in the Peach Bowl. The next year, the Orange rode a 7-4-2 regular season record all the way to Honolulu, where it beat Arizona, 28-0, in the Aloha Bowl. Cornerback Rob Thomson and linebacker Dan Conley combined for 17 tackles to assure the Wildcats of their first shutout loss in 20 years. At the end of the season, center John Flannery was named an All-American for the second year in a row.

MacPherson left the Orange following the 1990 season, after amassing a 66-46-4 record, to become the head coach of the New England Patriots. After guiding the Patriots for two seasons, MacPherson eventually returned to The Salt City, where he has, among many professional and community endeavors, enjoyed watching his grandsons, Macky (2010-13) and Cameron (2014-present), play for the Orange.

Syracuse opens the 2015 season at home on Friday, Sept. 4 against Rhode Island. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Carrier Dome. Season and individual game tickets are available online, by phone (1-888-DOMETIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B). In addition, discounted group tickets (20 or more) for all home games can be purchased by calling 315-443-3212.

For complete coverage of Syracuse and Syracuse football, follow us on Facebook (Syracuse Orange& Syracuse Football), Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and watch exclusive video content on Cuse TV.

Syracuse University Athletics

Related Videos