Former Syracuse football head coach, Scott Shafer, will be making his return to the Carrier Dome after accepting a new position with Middle Tennessee State.
The Syracuse football program is back on the way up after some musical chairs at the head coaching position. Doug Marrone left leaving the team to Scott Shafer.
Shafer was fired back in November of 2015. While in three seasons, Shafer compiled a record of 14-23. The brightest moment of his three year campaign was a 7-6 season in 2013 capped by a victory against Minnesota in the Texas Bowl.
After being relieved of his services he got an attractive job as the defensive coordinator at Maryland before resigning in the spring for personal reasons. Well it appears his personal reasons have been figured out and now he can return to the field.
That could be bad news for SU. Shafer took over the Orange defense back in 2009. Bringing a defense that went from being 101st in the country to the top 20 under Shafer.
Under Shafer, Syracuse’s defense ranked 7th in the nation in 2010 in total defense (from 37th),
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12th in the nation in first downs allowed (from 27th), 10th in pass defense (from 85th), 14th in pass efficiency defense (from (113th), and 13th in scoring defense (from 81st).
Shafer has been synonymous with the mantra that schemes are overrated. He prefers guys that show great enthusiasm, great effort, and have a great attitude.
While he’s always been a guy that wants an aggressive attacking defense, not one that sits back. So it shouldn’t be surprising that was a huge theme in his opening press release:
"“We will put a physical, attacking, multiple defense on the field that will excel in fundamentals and tackling,” Shafer said in a press release. “I look forward to teaching the system right away, preparing them for spring practice, and being with them through this critical first stage of football.”"
Shafer will get an early opportunity against the guy who replaced him in Dino Babers. Saturday Sept, 9 in the Carrier Dome the Orange will take on Middle Tennessee. High octane record breaking pace vs an aggressive attacking defense, should be a fun matchup.
Next: Syracuse Football Alumni In The NFL Part 2: Justin Pugh
This is a game that is suddenly full of juicy storylines. While this may seem like an odd choice, especially considering a guy who has been to Michigan and Stanford. He’s trying to rebuild his reputation and plus if you know Shafer it was just a matter of time before he got back into coaching, regardless of where the job was.