Coyle Quotes
Athletic Director Mark Coyle
Head coach Dino Babers’ introductory press conference
Dec. 7, 2015
Opening Statement:
“It is truly a special day for not only our football program and our football students and our department, but also for our institution. I want to take a moment to thank several people who helped me during this process. I’d like to thank Chancellor Syverud and his wife Dr. Chen, I’d like to thank Steve Barns, the chairman of our board of trustees, Bob Miron, the chairman of our athletic board, and our entire board of trustees for their support.
“I’d like to thank our football students. Two weeks ago, I had to meet with those students in this room and let them know we were going through a transition and I appreciate how they’ve conducted themselves these last-two weeks, and I appreciate their patience as we’ve gone through this process.
“I want to make sure I thank our loyal fans. I’ve only been here six months, but one thing I’ve learned is that this institution has incredible fans and fans that have tremendous loyalty and I’m incredibly grateful for that loyalty.
“I also want to make sure that I thank Herm Frasier, John Cunningham, Floyd Little, Kim Keenan-Kirkpatrick, Rhonda McFarland, Dan French and Gabe Nugent for their help. I’ve worked closely with them through this process and I want to thank them for their help. I also want to thank our staff. I can’t tell you how many athletic department staff hopped into my office, shot me a text message or shot me an email of support and I really appreciate that and I appreciate the hard work you guys do behind the scenes.
“When we started this process two weeks ago, I wanted to make sure we found the best fit for Syracuse football. How I define best fit is someone with honesty and integrity. I wanted someone who would be focused on our students and the welfare of those students. I wanted someone who is innovative and has an exciting brand of football and is committed to winning. I’m confident that we found that person in coach Babers. I want to publically thank coach Babers, his wife Susan and their children for believing in us. I’m so appreciative that you believe in Syracuse and I promise that we’ll do special things together. With that, please let me welcome head coach Dino Babers.”
On the decision to make a coaching change prior to the final game:
“When you look across the national landscape and the number of openings, I thought it was critical to give us additional time, and I can tell you having those five additional days to visit and talk to folks was a huge help for us. It was just a chance to visit with people and have those conversations earlier.”
On what made coach Babers stand out:
“Well you just saw his personality. That stood out very clearly when we had our chance to have conversations. I’d be lying to you if I told you how many people we talked to. I can tell you we talked to a lot of very qualified people. I think going through this process at Boise a few years ago was an asset because I was able to meet coaches, agents, search firms and such, but we had lots of conversations and we’re very pleased with coach Babers believing in us and coming to Syracuse.”
On coach Babers’ offense in the Carrier Dome:
“I can’t speak for coach Babers, I’ll let him address that question, but I can tell you as a former Division III football player at wide receiver, I was on cloud nine and we did talk about how special the Dome is and how you have seven games a year in perfect weather.”
On when coach Babers popped onto Coyle’s radar and when they began communication:
“I think someone of coach Babers’ success has been on everyone’s radar for a long time. He’s obviously been known across the country by a lot of different schools, and as I said we had lots of conversations and very productive conversations with Dino and we’re excited to have him at Syracuse.”
Head coach Dino Babers’ introductory press conference
Dec. 7, 2015
Opening Statement:
“It is truly a special day for not only our football program and our football students and our department, but also for our institution. I want to take a moment to thank several people who helped me during this process. I’d like to thank Chancellor Syverud and his wife Dr. Chen, I’d like to thank Steve Barns, the chairman of our board of trustees, Bob Miron, the chairman of our athletic board, and our entire board of trustees for their support.
“I’d like to thank our football students. Two weeks ago, I had to meet with those students in this room and let them know we were going through a transition and I appreciate how they’ve conducted themselves these last-two weeks, and I appreciate their patience as we’ve gone through this process.
“I want to make sure I thank our loyal fans. I’ve only been here six months, but one thing I’ve learned is that this institution has incredible fans and fans that have tremendous loyalty and I’m incredibly grateful for that loyalty.
“I also want to make sure that I thank Herm Frasier, John Cunningham, Floyd Little, Kim Keenan-Kirkpatrick, Rhonda McFarland, Dan French and Gabe Nugent for their help. I’ve worked closely with them through this process and I want to thank them for their help. I also want to thank our staff. I can’t tell you how many athletic department staff hopped into my office, shot me a text message or shot me an email of support and I really appreciate that and I appreciate the hard work you guys do behind the scenes.
“When we started this process two weeks ago, I wanted to make sure we found the best fit for Syracuse football. How I define best fit is someone with honesty and integrity. I wanted someone who would be focused on our students and the welfare of those students. I wanted someone who is innovative and has an exciting brand of football and is committed to winning. I’m confident that we found that person in coach Babers. I want to publically thank coach Babers, his wife Susan and their children for believing in us. I’m so appreciative that you believe in Syracuse and I promise that we’ll do special things together. With that, please let me welcome head coach Dino Babers.”
On the decision to make a coaching change prior to the final game:
“When you look across the national landscape and the number of openings, I thought it was critical to give us additional time, and I can tell you having those five additional days to visit and talk to folks was a huge help for us. It was just a chance to visit with people and have those conversations earlier.”
On what made coach Babers stand out:
“Well you just saw his personality. That stood out very clearly when we had our chance to have conversations. I’d be lying to you if I told you how many people we talked to. I can tell you we talked to a lot of very qualified people. I think going through this process at Boise a few years ago was an asset because I was able to meet coaches, agents, search firms and such, but we had lots of conversations and we’re very pleased with coach Babers believing in us and coming to Syracuse.”
On coach Babers’ offense in the Carrier Dome:
“I can’t speak for coach Babers, I’ll let him address that question, but I can tell you as a former Division III football player at wide receiver, I was on cloud nine and we did talk about how special the Dome is and how you have seven games a year in perfect weather.”
On when coach Babers popped onto Coyle’s radar and when they began communication:
“I think someone of coach Babers’ success has been on everyone’s radar for a long time. He’s obviously been known across the country by a lot of different schools, and as I said we had lots of conversations and very productive conversations with Dino and we’re excited to have him at Syracuse.”
