The Confidential

Lane Kiffin Fired at USC

ESPN is reporting that Lane Kiffin was fired this morning upon the team’s arrival back in LA after the loss to Arizona State last night. While I tend to be sympathetic to anyone losing a job, Kiffin is not one to feel sorry for. This guy has no credibility from his demeanor and disastrous stints with the Raiders and the Vols. It is obvious that the scholarship reductions hurt him, but his attitude probably did him in. He milked his father’s connections and people were foolish enough to buy his sales pitches. This will obviously be a sought after job as Kiffin winds up being a QB coach on an NFL staff next year. While Bill O’Brien has been the role model at Penn St. for how to handle these situations, Kiffin has been the antithesis. ESPN called Kiffin the Miley Cyrus of coaching – great line.

On another front, Syracuse gets their first official ACC game on Saturday against Clemson – rough way to be welcomed into the conference – but great to start the schedule.

Drew Allen or Terrell Hunt?

Today’s Syracuse-Penn State game is a huge transition game for the Syracuse program. Moving from Doug Marrone to Scott Shafer will hopefully signal moving forward and not backward. Since the game is being played in North Jersey it could have a major impact on both schools getting back into a key recruiting area. Penn State always had this area before Greg Schiano and Syracuse thrived in this area during the Paul Pasqualoni era. With Don Bosco Prep, Paramus Catholic, St Peter’s Prep, Bergen Catholic, and St Joseph Regional, just to name a few, all being within a 30 minute drive of MetLife Stadium a Syracuse win could help their recruiting profile in an area loaded with Division 1 players and just 4 hours from their campus. I think most assume Drew Allen will be named the starter just before game time. Syraucse fans should just hope the coach picks the guy who gives the team the best chance to win the game today. While I admit having an Oklahoma transfer QB gives the national media a reason to talk about the program, just getting the win with whoever is actually better will carry more clout in the long run. This is technically a Syracuse home game, but its going to be hard to out number the Penn State contingent in this area.

Two Man QB Race for Syracuse

The muddled Syracuse QB race is down to Oklahoma transfer Drew Allen and redshirt sophomore Terrel Hunt. Fifth Year Senior Charley Loeb has been relegated to the third spot now. Almost all fans expect Drew Allen to win the job but all accounts are that Hunt has been impressive. As fans, we can only want the better QB to actually win the job, but with the excitement of the move to the ACC, having an Oklahoma transfer become the starting QB would add some excitement to the program. With only 20 days to go before the Syracuse opener against Penn State, fans are anxiously awaiting a decision.

One minor news note that may evolve into something down the road is the transfer of QB Troy Green from UCF. Green is the son of Syracuse legend Tim Green. Green said his son will have more opportunity down the road at Syracuse to play than at UCF. Could be interesting next year.

Syracuse Lands Commitment from 4-Star WR

Syracuse has received a verbal commitment from 4-star WR recruit KJ Williams according to Syracuse.com http://www.syracuse.com/orangefootball/index.ssf/2013/07/syracuse_football_recruiting_o_9.html

While a 4-star recruit may not be big news for most of the ACC, this certainly is a good sign for the Orange. Now I’m just hoping the verbal stays solid through signing day!

The New Era for Syracuse Begins!

The new birthday of Syracuse Athletics has arrived!  After a decade of uncertainty today is the day all Orange fans have been waiting for.  It started out over a decade ago when the Orange were passed over for Virginia Tech.  Today all is finally stable for Syracuse from a conference perspective for the first time since the first Swofford raid of the Big East.  I always thought Syracuse was a perfect fit for the ACC and all Orange fans are thrilled to see this day arrive.  Coming off a great overall athletic year, the Orange is ready for even better overall competition in all sports.   Time to start scheduling road trips to new venues with old college friends and the kids.  Today is truly a new beginning for Syracuse sports fans and current and future athletes.

Duke Women’s Track

I realize track/cross country are not on the radar sports for most but track is a sport that makes the ACC as strong as it is.  It looks like Duke will have a chance to pick up some Capital One points next year in Women’s Track & Field.  This year Duke finished tied for 4th at the ACC Championship meet and didn’t make much noise at the NCAA Championships.  Yet it seems that Duke was the leading pick for the top high school distance runners in the country this year.  Three of the top four girls in the country have elected to attend Duke.  The Meier sisters from Michigan, Hannah and Haley, and Wesley Frazier of North Carolina.  This weekend at the New Balance Outdoor Nationals held at NC A&T Wesley Frazier won three national championships (5K, 1 mile, and 2 mile).  These three recruits alone could push Duke to great success in the next four years.  Maybe even compete with Oregon at the distance events.