Syracuse Football Update: Mike Hart Leaves for Indiana For Pay Raise
By Andrew Carey
The Syracuse football team lost one of their star positional coaches in Mike Hart. Why did he leave? Will he ever return?
Earlier this month, it was reported that Syracuse football running back coach and Onondaga native Mike Hart was moving on from Syracuse to join the Indiana Football coaching staff. Hart ultimately decided to play at Michigan instead of Syracuse.
The Upstate New York native will now return to the Big Ten where he was a star running back. The news was first reported by Syracuse.com’s Stephen Bailey.
Hart was hired by Syracuse coach Dino Babers back in May. When he got hired by Babers, Hart issued a this statement on coming back to Syracuse:
"“It was really one of those calls that I was hoping for, that i was praying for,” Hart said in a press conference in May of last year. “It was the one place that I wanted to come back to.”"
This week, the Syracuse Orange football team began spring practice without Hart. Head coach Dino Babers discussed the departure of Hart and much more right here.
Some takeaways from that interview:
Coach Babers was quoted saying this about Mike’s Hart departure…
"“Mike left for an enormous raise. I don’t want to get into his personal business but it was a very big financial increase.”"
Syracuse has lost out on many of their great position coaches due to this. The University must be committed to paying these coaches money if they want to see the results on the field. It was also noted in the press conference that offensive quality control coach Vincent Marshall was working with the running backs.
On RB Moe Neal and him moving over to the slot…
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"“He has such flexibility. He can be a receiver, he can be a running back, an inside receiver, an outside receiver. What we need to do is make sure we are developing his weakest areas.”"
Babers on the three defensive back transfers they took…
"“We think we need experience on the backend (of the defense) to go along with the youth that’s being developed up front.”"
On QB Eric Dungey and his health…
"“He just a leader, he’s a lot more confident. His head is fine and he’s out there leading our football team. We’re always better when Eric Dungey is on the field.”"
On freshman Devon Clark and Jaquwan Nelson who were arrested in February for burglary…
"“First of all, we’re disappointed anytime we show up in the paper for that. While I think they need to pay their penalties and whatever the school decides to do with them we will do. I’m disappointed in them, but I do believe everybody deserves a second chance.”"
Next: Syracuse Football Recruiting Sitdown: Russell Thompson-Bishop
Babers on his offensive system and learning it…
"“The way we talk about our offensive system is like a college education. While the first year is like undergraduate work, then if you get your undergrad degree the second year you’re in for your Masters. Then your third year you go into a doctorate program. We’ve never had anyone in a doctorate program. I’m looking forward to that.”"
While Syracuse will continue spring practice all week. They will put on the pads on Saturday.