Head Coach Greg Robinson Press Conference Transcript (Nov. 16, 2008)
Opening Comments on his tenure at Syracuse concluding after this season
"Normally we'd come in here on Sunday and discuss last night's ball game, but I think we have a bit more that you'd like to discuss. I don't think it really comes as a surprise to anyone. It doesn't really come as s surprise to me. I'm disappointed, but I understand why the decision was made. So I go from there. I say this, as it's been clarified by (Syracuse University Athletics Director) Daryl Gross’ statement, my tenure comes as the season concludes. Daryl and I discussed that. I wanted to make sure that in no uncertain terms he saw me as the head football coach until the season as concluded and that the team understood that. That was all clarified between us and he was very supportive in that part of it. I think it is very important to maintain the discipline and demand of the student-athletes. They must understand that I'm in control of the situation. That was made very clear to the team. I think that they understand that and accept that. I also say, with two games to go, as I made the statement way back in training camp at the first day at the press conference when there were discussions at that time in regard to the future of this program, I talked about how it was not the time to be discussing me and my future. This is about our football team and I feel that way right now. We still have two football games to go. We will be very, very determined to continue to do everything we possibly can to perform at the highest level and do whatever we can to come out with a victory this week and that is all we're really thinking about is this week.’
Is there any sense of relief in at least now knowing your fate?
“I don't know about relief. I don't think of it like that. I don't. As I told you a few weeks back, I knew I was basically in control of my own destiny in a sense that it wasn't really so much for the outside world to make the decisions as it was for us to produce and we needed to win. We're in a situation now with two games to go and we haven't won the way we needed to win and I see that. That's where I understand. I'm as determined to win a game against Notre Dame as I was to win a game against Connecticut. What I'd like to think is that we'll still be a motivated football team and a motivated coaching staff to do something people might not think we're capable of doing.”
With (director of athletics) Daryl (Gross) was the winning the only reason for change?
“You can talk to Daryl about all those things. Those are his decisions. He should be able to speak for himself in regard to that.
Why is it important for you to finish out the remaining two games?
“I'm not going to say that it was important or unimportant. I wanted just to make sure that if they wanted for me to be the coach, I expect to be in control of the situation and that the team understands that and that I have total support from the University to do what needs to be done and maintain the discipline of the program and I just wanted to make sure. I've seen some of these programs where all of a sudden, it can become chaotic. This will not become chaotic.”
What do you think went wrong? Why do you think you were not able to improve the program?
“I will say this, I ran out of time. I still see improvement. I can name players from last night's football game who I see took big steps in improving and that's part of it. You run out of time. As always, I'm optimistic and I think with more time I could do better. But at the same time, I understand the situation with the University and where things are at this time.”
Was the task of rebuilding a bigger challenge?
“I didn't really know. I could've thought anything, but I really didn't have the data. All I know is this, I have tried to do everything that I really can do to get this to be done as expediently as I possibly can. Obviously I didn't get it done and that’s the bottom line.”
(Athletics director) Daryl (Gross) spoke of how the record wasn't there, but said you've left the program with many positives. What do you feel those positives might be?
“I don't want to compare where the program was to where the program is now. I can tell you this – I'm proud of our football team and I've made that statement to you and made it again last night to you. I really like this team and I think that there's a lot of talent in this team that's coming along. I use an example of a player who has been in this program now for about 18 months in safety Max Suter. He is a good kickoff return guy. But to say that Max Suter was ready to be a safety at the start of this season, I don't believe he was capable at the time to be consistent and do the things that we needed him to do. But, I've watched him as he's worked along and we've infused him in different ways to where his experience is now at a point where he was able to manage himself through that game last night in a very, very good way. That was exciting for me to see him perform that way. I saw the way Jared Kimmel, who after knee surgery and missing all of spring ball and then missing more than half of training camp because of a head injury and really, we had to re-train him how to be a defensive end, played his finest game last night. He looks like the player that I thought we were beginning to see when he got hurt at Louisville last year. There are others things like that. I'm also proud of the way our team handles themselves. I like their work ethic, the type of people here. I've stated the talent level is on the rise. Comparing it, I don't want to do. But I can tell you, I don't feel badly about how I'm leaving it for the next person at all. (smiling) Quite frankly, if they'd like me to be the next person, so be it.”
How difficult is it for you to leave at this point?
“I'm going to say this, I'm not leaving. I know I'm coaching two more football games and that's my mindset and I'm excited about coaching two more football games. Let's talk after we play Cincinnati and I'll tell you about where I am at that time. But right now, I'm here and I'm doing well.”
Has this experience soured your outlook on college football?
“C'mon, please, Mark. Let's not go there. I have a game to coach this week! Let's get that stuff later. There's nothing that soured me. I told you last night that I've enjoyed this year of coaching football as much as any year, more so. Day in and day out, I've loved every day working with these guys. I don’t have the record to show success, but I have no qualms about going to work every day. I like this team. I like our coaching staff. I like this place, a lot. It's obvious. Come watch practice. Heck, I go out there every day excited and I look forward to going to practice on Tuesday.”
What did you tell the team today?
“I told them about what the news was. We talked last night and I have certain expectations for this team. I am going to demand excellence of these guys. And it's starting today. Not that we haven't, but were going to continue that and understand that. I don't want to hear anything about that lame duck. Uh-uh. I'm the coach, and they're going to do what I expect of them and I have very high expectations of them. They know that and they didn't blink.”
How did the team take it?
“They're great because they know it's not about me, it's about this football team and this football team has two more games to play. They are going to be focused this week coming up to get ready for Notre Dame. I know that will occur. We must improve our performance. That's the bottom line.”
How have you enjoyed being 'the guy'? What has it been like for you for the first time in the gun sights?
“That's not true, I've been in the gun sights before. Trust me. I would say this, I don't really think it's about being the guy as much as it's you, your staff, it's your team and there are so many hats that you wear that I really like that. I like having responsibilities for this and that. I really do. It keeps you going. You're going a mile-a-minute, and you know what? You don't, until you put your head on the pillow, realize that you're a bit fatigued. You're just going and I have liked every minute of it. I really have. There are times where you have to make tough decisions, there are times where you have setbacks and there are times when you have something happen in the program that you worry about and your fret over, but that's life. I enjoy living and I enjoy this life of what I've been doing. I hope that explains kind of where it is, but I plan to make the most out of the next two weeks.”
Will you coach beyond this season?
“(smiling) In my life? I guarantee you probably about 20 more years. How old is JoePa (Joe Paterno, head coach of Penn State)? Eighty-one? I don't know that I'll make that, but I can tell you, I can coach a whole lot more because I can still run as fast as a whole lot of those players and I have every bit of much energy as them. So, why would I get out of it now? No way!”
When did you find out? Today or last night?
“I kind of had an idea of what I needed to do. We sat down and talked this morning.”
