SU Football Runs in the Family
8/7/2013 7:25:00 PM | Football
Footage of Today's Practice | Coach Shafer's Remarks | Purchase Tickets
Football is a family affair at Syracuse where the tradition of excellence is passed down from generation to generation. The Orange program includes multiple coaches and student-athletes who were born and bred around the sport.
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Head coach Scott Shafer grew up in a football household as his father, Ron, was a high school coach in their home state of Ohio. The tradition continues with Shafer's son, Wolfgang, who will suit up as a quarterback at Ithaca College this fall.
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Defensive coordinator Chuck Bullough and offensive line coach Pat Perles also had a football-centric upbringing. George Perles, celebrated head coach and of Michigan State (1983-94), coached both his son and Bullough at MSU. Bullough's father, Hank, also played for the Spartans and spent 11 seasons as an assistant coach for MSU before heading to the NFL coaching ranks. SU's director of football operations Steve Scarnecchia also followed in his father's footsteps. Dante Scarnecchia is a 44-year coaching veteran, including 32 seasons as an NFL coach and is in his 30th year working the sidelines for the New England Patriots.
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"Coach Shafer and I grew up in the game of football with our fathers as coaches. We were taught from a young age to enjoy and respect the game. From just about the moment we met at Western Michigan, we had an instant connection because of our philosophy and values." said Bullough at his introductory press conference in January.
Senior center Macky MacPherson was raised in an Orange household as his grandfather is legendary Syracuse head coach Dick MacPherson, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame. MacPherson's brother, Cameron, is a quarterback for Georgetown.
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In addition, Orange running backs coach DeAndre Smith's son is a freshman football student-athlete at Duke and Orange assistant athletics director for athletic performance Will Hicks' son Carson is a first-year football student-athlete at Miami (OH).
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The newest member in the Orange football family lineage story is Troy Green, son of Tim Green, an SU All-American and former NFL player who is a successful author, lawyer and television personality. He coached Troy at Skaneateles High School for two seasons.
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"It's great to have Troy Green in the program," said Shafer this afternoon. "I'm really big on family orientation. You look at Macky MacPherson, Coach MacPhersons grandson, you look at Coach Bullough, coach's son, Pat Perles, coach's son, we're family oriented. You have groups of individuals that have grown up together and it helps that atmosphere."
| SYRACUSE FOOTBALL CONNECTIONS | |
| Troy Green | Son of Tim Green, SU All-American linebacker who played from 1982-85. |
| Ross Krautman | Brother, Ricky, former Syracuse kicker (2003-05). |
| Macky MacPherson | Grandson of College Football Hall of Famer Dick MacPherson, who was Syracuse's head coach from 1981 through 1990. |
| Joe Nassib | Cousin of former Orange All-American quarterback Ryan Nassib (2009-12). |
| COLLEGE AND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL CONNECTIONS | |
| Ashton Broyld | Father, Ashley, played football at the University of Maryland. |
| Chuck Bullough | Son of Hank Bullough, Michigan State player and assistant coach and 21-year NFL coach. |
| Clay Cleveland | Cousin, Rob Petitti, played collegiately at Pittsburgh and for the NFL's Carolina Panthers. |
| Alvin Cornelius | Cousin, Glen Pedro, played running back at Marshall from 1990-93. |
| William Hicks | Father of Carson, freshman offensive lineman Miami (OH). |
| Kyle Knapp | Father, David, played football at Western Michigan University (1979-82). |
| Ben Lewis | Uncle, Bill Lewis, was an All-American center at Nebraska and played in the NFL. |
| Josh Manley | Uncle, Dexter Manley, had an 11-year NFL career, including nine years and two Super Bowl titles with the Washington Redskins. |
| Joe Nassib | Uncle, Gil, played football at the University of Delaware (1978-80) and cousin, Ryan, plays for the New York Giants. |
| Pat Perles | Son of George Perles, Michigan State player and head coach from 1982-1994. |
| Steve Scarnecchia | Son of Dante Scarnecchia, veteran NFL coach who is in his 30th year with the New England Patriots. |
| Scott Shafer | Father of Wolfgang, freshman quarterback at Ithaca College. |
| DeAndre Smith | Father of Ryan, freshman wide receiver at Duke University. |
Follow along with daily practice updates on Facebook (Syracuse Orange & Syracuse Football) and Twitter (@Cuse & @CuseFootball) and find exclusive video content on Orange All-Access including today's interview with Coach Shafer.
The 2013 regular season kicks off at MetLife Stadium on August 31 against Penn State (3:30 p.m., ESPN 2, ABC). Single-game tickets can be purchased at Fanfest, online, in person at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B), or by calling 1-888-DOMETIX.
