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Syracuse Football: Top 5 long-term replacements at DC for Brian Ward

By Paul A. Esden Jr.

SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 02: AJ Dillon #2 of the Boston College Eagles carries the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 2, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Boston College defeats Syracuse 58-27. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 02: AJ Dillon #2 of the Boston College Eagles carries the ball for a touchdown during the third quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the Carrier Dome on November 2, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. Boston College defeats Syracuse 58-27. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

Syracuse football has made a change at defensive coordinator with Brian Ward gone. Here are the top-5 options to replace him long term.

The 2019 Syracuse football season has completely imploded with three games remaining. Syracuse is 3-6 and any hopes of bowling is a pipe dream at this point.

The latest loss was a 58-27 drubbing that was highlighted by several defensive breakdowns. Syracuse gave up nearly 500 yards rushing which is by far the most in a single-game in program history.

That resulted in Dino Babers firing defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Brian Ward on Sunday afternoon. Ward had been Syracuse’s defensive coordinator since Babers was hired back in 2016.

Prior to the season starting, Dino said that the strength of the Orange would be their defense, but they’ve been their Achilles heel.

Not only is the record awful at 3-6, but the analytics are even worse:

  • The Orange have the 115th ranked defense in the nation out of 130 possible teams.
  • Syracuse is 92nd in 3rd down conversion percentage defensively.
  • In terms of first downs allowed defensively, Syracuse is bad in that area too (118th in the country).
  • In 2019, Syracuse isn’t intercepting passes like they did last year, they rank in the bottom half of the country with only seven picks on the year.
  • 105th in the country in passing yards allowed.
  • 55th ranked red zone defense.
  • 99th in the country in rush defense.
  • Syracuse does have 25 sacks on the year which is good for 28th best in the nation.
  • Lastly, the Orange are top-20 in the country in turnovers gained (+16), but the positives are few and far between.

The two blowout losses to Maryland and Boston College were unacceptable and embarrassing. There’s simply no excuse considering what those two teams are for a Syracuse defense this talented to have those kinds of lapses.

With Ward gone, who should Dino Babers turn to for a long-term fix? Here are the top five options with consideration to availability, coaching history with Babers, and more.

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