Official Syracuse Unintended Hilarity Thread

[PlayItLeo]

Forgive my ignorance but does Boeheim have some insurmountably high buyout that keeps him at Syracuse? Or is it the optics of firing a once-high-flying and successful coach? It's just so obvious to the outside world (and even their own fanbase) that he needs to go, that I'm wondering why they can't just nuke the program and start a true rebuild.

 

[SoFla Steve]

Forgive my ignorance but does Boeheim have some insurmountably high buyout that keeps him at Syracuse? Or is it the optics of firing a once-high-flying and successful coach? It's just so obvious to the outside world (and even their own fanbase) that he needs to go, that I'm wondering why they can't just nuke the program and start a true rebuild.

This is how I see it . . .

He's been tied to the university since 1962 as a player, assistant and has been their head coach for 46 years. Along the way, he built the Syracuse basketball program into a national contender and in doing so developed friendships with powerful alumni, big donors, city officials and members of the board of trustees. In many ways, he's the face of the city as well as the school.

Up to now, these people have deferred to his wishes to continue as head coach. Many feel he has earned the right to both continue for as long as he wants to and to name his successor. Apparently, his "boss", Syracuse AD Wildhack, has his hands tied as he doesn't want to offend or alienate any of these factions. If you read the postings on SyracuseFan.com, you will see that the patience of most fans has worn thin. It is rumored that he wants to coach through the 2023-24 season. Also, there is supposed to be an "iron clad" succession plan that hasn't been shared with anyone. Many feel an actual plan doesn't really exist. In the meantime, recruiting has suffered as he doesn't hit the road much anymore and recruits and parents don't know how long he will be coaching. Lots of unknowns. The program has no recruits for next season and few prospects for the following season.

Those are the pertinent facts/rumors. There is so much more detail, though -- Mike Hopkins, bashing players in pressers, playing favorites over more talented players, playing zone doesn't prepare you for a pro career -- the list goes on.

 

[prankster]

.... He constantly throws his kids under the bus in the media, and still insists on playing a 2-3 zone in an age where everyone can shoot threes. Boeheim certainly helped in establishing the Syracuse brand....

That 2-3 zone IS the Syracuse brand.

 

[MexicoHusky]

JB seems to be clinging to the hope that he'll catch lightning in a bottle. He sorta did a couple years ago and in 2016. In both cases Cuse was pretty lousy in the regular season followed by a good or really good tournament run. Seems like a lousy plan, but Boeheim must believe his system is a tough matchup in the post season.... and if he can somehow squeak into the tournament then maybe something amazing can happen. Again, lousy plan. Seems like he's waiting on a miracle.

 

[Tyler2Rings]

the patience of most fans has worn thi

There are also some posters who have donated for years and say they will stop writing checks if Boeheim is fired. Terrible spot for that AD

 

[SoFla Steve]

JB seems to be clinging to the hope that he'll catch lightning in a bottle. He sorta did a couple years ago and in 2016. In both cases Cuse was pretty lousy in the regular season followed by a good or really good tournament run. Seems like a lousy plan, but Boeheim must believe his system is a tough matchup in the post season.... and if he can somehow squeak into the tournament then maybe something amazing can happen. Again, lousy plan. Seems like he's waiting on a miracle.

Agreed. Recently, he said the regular season doesn't mean as much as the NCAA tourney in determining what would be called a successful season which I thought was a bit self-serving. The flaw in the plan is . . . you have to make the tournament.

 

[Waquoit]

The main problem is people buy into the "he's earned the right" nonsense. Work-for-hire, you really only earn the right to keep your job. Cuse could end this if they wanted to.

 

[donyell34]

Well let's hope they don't end this. Keep it going a few more years. Like another poster said they danced on our grave. duckk "em".

 

[superjohn]

Syracuse is a soccer school.

 

[UConnKev]

 

[Excalibur]

They are Louisville at the end of the Denny Crum era (worse, actually), and there is no Rick Pitino coming to rescue them.

 

[WhereistheDove?]

 

[PlayItLeo]

This is how I see it . . .

He's been tied to the university since 1962 as a player, assistant and has been their head coach for 46 years. Along the way, he built the Syracuse basketball program into a national contender and in doing so developed friendships with powerful alumni, big donors, city officials and members of the board of trustees. In many ways, he's the face of the city as well as the school.

Up to now, these people have deferred to his wishes to continue as head coach. Many feel he has earned the right to both continue for as long as he wants to and to name his successor. Apparently, his "boss", Syracuse AD Wildhack, has his hands tied as he doesn't want to offend or alienate any of these factions. If you read the postings on SyracuseFan.com, you will see that the patience of most fans has worn thin. It is rumored that he wants to coach through the 2023-24 season. Also, there is supposed to be an "iron clad" succession plan that hasn't been shared with anyone. Many feel an actual plan doesn't really exist. In the meantime, recruiting has suffered as he doesn't hit the road much anymore and recruits and parents don't know how long he will be coaching. Lots of unknowns. The program has no recruits for next season and few prospects for the following season.

Those are the pertinent facts/rumors. There is so much more detail, though -- Mike Hopkins, bashing players in pressers, playing favorites over more talented players, playing zone doesn't prepare you for a pro career -- the list goes on.

Great recap. Thank you. Sounds similar to what's going on with Auburn football, which is practically government-by-boosters -- just caught between a rock and a hard place.

 

[Rocktheworld]

I think I’m developing high blood pressure from this stream of tears

 

[Tenspro2002]

They know how bad it is. It almost makes you feel sorry for that fan base...................almost.

It is an incredible situation. Almost unprecedented in my mind in that Boeheim is literally holding the program hostage at this point. They are caught in a purgatory that gets closer to eternal hell every minute that happens. No one will play for them right now. Boeheim is so arrogant he won't even allow an announcement of a succession plan, so it throws a wrench into every recruiting cycle as you never know who you will play for. And on the flipside it is no better in that you could give Boeheim a 10 year contract extension for recruiting stability but no one will go and play for him because he's lost his mind. He puts zero effort into coaching these days. Im not exaggerating. Zero. Kids see it, their parents see it. He constantly throws his kids under the bus in the media, and still insists on playing a 2-3 zone in an age where everyone can shoot threes. Boeheim certainly helped in establishing the Syracuse brand, and now he seems determined to blow it all up before leaving. It is a fascinating, (and almost sad, but its Boeheim so screw him) end to a legendary career. He really is erasing everything. The Hubris is unmatched.

Fran Fraschilla just really decimated the Syracuse program during the last 10 minutes of that broadcast last night. It's the first Ive heard of media really speaking truth on this issue. I wanted Fran to shut up and be like the rest of the media and kiss Boeheims ring because that will make him stay longer.

The question at this point is whether Syracuse becomes like:
A) Georgetown/Indiana/Cincy -- never reaching the glory days, but still sort of relevant here and there
B) Houston -- in the wilderness and irrelevant for decades, hoping to be rescued by an exceptional coach

 

[SouthBayHusky]

Meanwhile we’re back to Top 10 domination

 

[ctchamps]

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Orange you glad you're not an Orange fan?

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Jim Boeheim.
Boeheim who?
Orange you happy you can be happy he's still at the Orange!

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Orange.
Orange who?
Exactly!

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Canada.
Canada who?
True doe even they no longer want spoiled oranges.

 

[REB1094]

Their head coach is pushing 80 years old, has a history of publicly insulting his players, and refuses to change his defensive system that completely collapses if the other team can shoot three pointers. They’ve been stumbling in rankings and there are simply better options for prospects to go to in the region

As long as he remains coach, I don’t think they will turn it around.

 

[nelsonmuntz]

ACC tears are delicious.

 

[UConnRock]

They are Louisville at the end of the Denny Crum era (worse, actually), and there is no Rick Pitino coming to rescue them.

Unless they hire Rick Pitino

 

[prankster]

Their head coach ... refuses to change his defensive system that completely collapses if the other team can shoot three pointers.

You see, I am a bit of a contrarian.

I want Syracuse to make it to the Dance.

I want them in the 1 v 16 game.

I want DC at the high post absolutely shredding that weak zone, beat them by 50.

Maybe I ask too much.

 

[UConnSwag11]

At least they got that ACC money!

 

[UConnSwag11]

Has anyone checked their board to see if the "Official Boneyard Unintentional Hilarity Thread" has made it to the first page??

Weird.... It had a lot of good takes....

 

[UConnSwag11]

It's been like this for quite sometime

 

[UConnSwag11]

We should stop making threads about them and focus on our season and the rest of college basketball. Let them continue to swirl around the drain of irrelevance.