Syracuse Football: Paul Pasqualoni headed back to the NFL?
Former Syracuse football head coach Paul Pasqualoni could be headed back to the NFL. ITLH breaks down the potential reunion.
He’s still coaching football? Yes Paul Pasqualoni who started his coaching career back in 1972 is still coaching in 2018.
His roller coaster coaching tenure has spanned five decades including his career in the salt city coaching the Orange from 1987-2004. Pasqualoni spent the first four years as SU’s linebacker coach.
Then he was promoted to head coach in 1991 and held that position through 2004. Pasqualoni’s coaching record with the Orange was 107–59–1 (yes there was a tie).
Infamously Pasqualoni was relieved of his duties and was replaced by one of the worst coaches in Syracuse history, Greg Robinson. But lets get back to positivity, Pasqualoni most recently has been with Boston College (since 2016), but he may be headed back to the NFL.
An intriguing future #Lions defensive coordinator target has emerged: Boston College DL coach Paul Pasqualoni. A mentor to Matt Patricia, Pasqualoni could take a job on the staff after the Super Bowl. Potentially his third stint as an NFL DC.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2018
That would be his third stint as a NFL defensive coordinator, although he has spent eight years of his career in the pros in different positions.
More on Paul Pasqualoni: His name was buzzing in Mobile, based on his past relationship with Matt Patricia. They haven’t spoken yet, but are expected to — about a senior position on the staff — when the #Lions officially hire Patricia.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 25, 2018
"That ‘previous relationship’ according to Syracuse.com was when, “Patricia served as an offensive graduate assistant under Pasqualoni at Syracuse from 2001-03.”"
Here’s the thing about Pasqualoni. He’s 68-years old and he could’ve retired a long time ago. Pasqualoni made his fair share of money and at this point in his career is coaching purely for passion. But I’d argue, his entire career has been about passion.
For those who don’t know, coaching football isn’t all glitz and glamour. It’s a 24-7, 365 job. From recruiting, to coaching, to game-planning, it’s a grind. Most people at Pasqualoni’s age are retired and enjoying the finer things in life. While Pasqualoni is back in the office watching tape.
As it was reported earlier, Matt Patricia is going from New England to the Detroit Lions. Patricia is a former rocket scientist and a defensive guru. But he could use help on the defensive side of the ball since he’ll be running the whole camp.
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Maybe I’m in the minority here because Pasqualoni should’ve never been fired and Robinson replacing him just added insult to injury. These two coaches couldn’t have been further apart in terms of styles. Robinson was a guy who waved around the hardware of Super Bowl rings. While Pasqualoni was about the x’s and o’s and the love of the game. Hopefully we can see Pasqualoni back on the sidelines on Sundays.