Head Coach Greg Robinson Press Conference Transcript (1/21/05)
Press Conference Introducing Offensive Coordinator Brian Pariani
January 21, 2005
Opening Remarks:
“Today is a special day for me and for everybody. I have been through a search for the offensive coordinator position and I have talked to many people about the job. The one person who I did bring in here, is the person who is taking the job. He is a person I am very close to and his name is Brian Pariani, from the Denver Broncos.
Brian is a person who I go way back with. He worked with me at UCLA and was a very strong influence in me getting the position at the Denver Broncos because of his relationship with Mike Shanahan and his recommendation to Mike Shanahan to hire me back in 1995. We spent six years together at the Broncos. He has a wonderful wife, Stephanie, and I have watched the development of his family.
We are bringing in a person with expertise and accomplishments. I can’t imagine that there is anyone in college football with more to offer and has had more success than Brian Pariani. Obviously, he has worked his way up the ladder. During his six years in the San Francisco organization, the people with whom he worked there will tell you that when I talk about the profile that I am looking for with energy, enthusiasm, intelligence and integrity, he is that person. They can tell you what he stands for and what he has accomplished.
You go to the Denver situation and it is the same thing. He is very prepared and he has worked very hard for this opportunity. I feel fortunate that the timing has worked out so I can bring Brian with me to Syracuse University and run the offense that he has prepared himself to bring to this program.”
On if it was difficult to get Brian to come to Syracuse from Denver:
“He made me sweat because he is a fine negotiator. Brian and I have had a very close relationship and we are like family in many ways. Brian and I have talked, even when I was at Kansas City, so we never lost our relationship. When this thing came about, it was a matter of talking and figuring out the pieces to the puzzle and trying to make it work best for him and for me, and it took time. There were other people who I talked with but none that I felt as comfortable with as Brian. In the process, we had to get to where it was flowing, so it took some time but it wasn’t hard.”
On if Brian’s philosophy matches his:
“It definitely does. I feel strongly with the philosophy of the system that Brian is coming from because I have seen it work. We won two Super Bowls, and we won more football games over a three-year period than any team in the history of the NFL. I don’t know if New England at this time has matched that, but I know up until that point it was. So, I know how it worked.
It worked with a system that was built with the offense, defense and the kicking game working together. It wasn’t separate parts, it was all tied together. Mike Shanahan had a great feel for that. I don’t think that can be understated. It all works together and the philosophy works together. I know how that offense works, I know the pressure it puts on the defense, I know how systematic it is and there is nobody who is better equipped to come in today and put a system into action better than Brian.”
On if the SU offense will be similar to the Broncos offense:
“It is going to be Syracuse’s offense, but I know philosophicalyl where it is coming from. Is there going to be a flavor of college football and the way it can work from there? Oh, I think there are things that can be done to incorporate it, but I know where philosophically it is a foundation in the running game with a controlled passing game that really takes advantage of a defense and what it gives you. The philosophy is in place. Your strategies and tactics for a specific ballgame is what Brian is here to figure out.”
On how close he is to completing his staff:
“There are three openings left – the offensive line position and two secondary coaches, one who will work into what I term a nickel situation. I think we are close. I haven’t introduced one of our coaches because I have been waiting to get the other part of the secondary worked out. With the offensive line coach, that has a lot to do with working with Brian and he and I have been in contact and talking about that position for a period of time. It is part of the process and I want the right fit. I think we are getting close and hopefully by the end of the weekend I will have this all wrapped up. I can’t tell if it’s 100 percent, but I hope that is the case.”
On if Brian will coach the tight ends:
“I would like him to have the ability to coach the tight ends. I know he does. He has to function how he sees best and that is going to be his job. Yes, he will coach the tight ends, but will somebody else be involved, that is for Brian to decide. He knows what he needs to do and we will get that worked out and go from there.”
On his relationship with Brian:
“He is like a younger brother. I treated him that way when I was with him at UCLA. We had a great relationship and he busted his tail for me. All of his years at the 49ers we were very close. Before Mike came to the Broncos, here he was in the playoffs and getting ready to go to the Super Bowl with the 49ers and all of a sudden the Broncos job opens and it was obvious that Mike was a candidate and I called Brian. He said that he would definitely talk to him. Mike trusts Brian and he believes in Brian, and Mike brought Brian with him for a reason. I know that Brian stood up strong for me and Mike told me that. He is a young guy but over a couple years, Mike grew to appreciate the kind of person Brian was and he appreciates what he is all about enough to listen to Brian about the kind of person I was.”
On adding Brian to his staff:
“I feel like I am getting a good deal. I am excited about having him because I know the depth of this person. He is a great coach and he is very bright, but it is more than that. He is a special person and has a wonderful wife.”
