Up next the Syracuse football team will square off against the Central Michigan Chippewas. To break it all down we talk to the head coach on ITLH.
This has been one of the longest weeks in Syracuse football history. Or at least it feels that way, after a surprising loss to former Orange head coach Scott Shafer last Saturday. The question on everyone’s minds is, now what?
It’s the million dollar question for Dino Babers to answer because it could very well tell the tale for the rest of the 2017 season. Will the Orange balloon pop and run out of helium? Or can Syracuse use that game as a wake up call and realize their bowl potential.
It doesn’t get any easier for the Cuse with Central Michigan coming to town. They come into this game unscathed with a 2-0 record. Although it hasn’t been all easy, this team has been tested, the difference is they overcame those obstacles to preserve their perfect record.
So to learn more about the intricacies of this team we welcomed head coach of the Chippewas, John Bonamego on Bud and the Manchild on The Score 1260. How will they combat Orange is the New Fast? Who are the under radar players that are going to make an impact in this game?
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25):
Coach, you spent 16 years in the NFL and then your alma mater offered you in your words “the dream job”. Was that the only job you would’ve left the pros for?
John Bonamego (@CMUCoachBono):
That’s a great question. I wouldn’t say that it was the only opportunity I would’ve left for. I’ve always had the goal of being a head coach. I’ve been working towards that since I got into the profession. I’m going to be honest, I wouldn’t have felt fulfilled if I left coaching without getting a chance to be a head coach.
I wanted a chance to run my own program, no question. The Central Michigan job obviously as an alum was a dream come true. It was definitely a job that I coveted. This was the job that I really really wanted. Luckily I didn’t have to make that decision of picking another school because CMU was the first college to give me a chance as a head coach.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25):
Coach soon after you got your dream job you were then diagnosed with tonsil cancer. You’ve now been pronounced cancer free, can you tell us about that journey and facing that level of adversity?
John Bonamego (@CMUCoachBono):
I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. My heart goes out to anyone that is battling any kind of cancer right now. Continuing with that, I extend my heart out to all the families that are dealing with loved ones going through this.
The hardest part for me was looking at my wife and kids going through this. I honestly felt like I
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was in control going through this disease and they’re were just along for the ride. The reception I got from the people who reached out to me personally was amazing, their support was much appreciated.
I felt very fortunate on multiple fronts. It was caught very early. Secondly it was one of the cancer diseases that was highly treatable. I thought I was getting the very best medical attention on the planet. While lastly and probably most importantly the support of my family, I should’ve mentioned them first. The support from the University of Central Michigan just goes beyond words.
I just really considered it another opponent on the schedule for me. While our opponents may have had empathy with us heading into the games. Once the whistles blew and the ball was kicked off, the opposing team didn’t care if your coach had cancer. I wasn’t going to allow my condition to affect the team. It was by no means easy. I’m proud to say I didn’t have to go through this alone.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25):
We mentioned your time in the NFL earlier, but one of the most special moments ever was right after Hurricane Katrina. Obviously it was a devastating storm and when the New Orleans Saints returned to the Super Dome it was emotional. You were the Special Teams Coordinator for the Saints, tell us what you remember about the play?
John Bonamego (@CMUCoachBono):
Obviously that’s something I’ll never forget. A tremendous play in the game. A huge play for our season. It was a hell of a moment not only for the Saints but the entire city. To get an opportunity to be a part of something like that is obviously very special. Something I’ll always hold dear.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25):
Coach lets get into the x’s and o’s of this game and while you remain undefeated (2-0), you’re coming into this game with a few injuries, tell us how big of a loss missing some of your best contributors will be?
John Bonamego (@CMUCoachBono):
Well we haven’t had Tyler Conklin so far this season, he got hurt back in camp. We hope to get him back at some point during the season. We’ve lost our second receiver Brandon Childress to injury. Corey Willis our No. 1 wideout is a huge loss, he had 140 yards receiving last week. I know it sounds cliche, but it’s really a next man up mentality.
Going back to Willis he was an all-conference player last year. Arguably he’s our most explosive player. What we try to do as a coaching staff is take those opportunities and break them up among a crew of players. No one can solely replace Willis’ production, so we’ll have to do it by a committee approach.
We try to put players in the best position to be successful. We need to execute on gameday, this is a tremendous challenge as a coaching staff. It’s a great opportunity for some of the younger guys on the roster who have a chance to take on a bigger role in this offense from this point moving forward.
Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25):
Finally coach lets talk about your quarterback Shane Morris. He was selected as the conference player of the week. He put up video game numbers in your 45-27 win over Kansas last week. Can you talk about what this guy brings to the table?
John Bonamego (@CMUCoachBono):
Shane just got on campus this Summer, he’s a grad-transfer from Michigan. We’re fortunate to have him. We lost a kid a year ago to a medical disqualification. So we were short on numbers and he comes in and gives us an experienced guy in that senior class.
Next: Syracuse Football: Eric Dungey- What Makes Syracuse’s QB So Good?
Shane’s done a great job first and foremost accepting and being adopted into our culture. I knew that whoever we brought in had to buy in and be someone of the right character. So Shane’s been able to do that and at the same time earn the respect of his teammates.