Syracuse Football: 5 reasons Dino Babers remains head coach next year

The Syracuse football team sits at 5-5 with two games remaining. The Orange will need to win at least one more to become bowl eligible.

After an ugly loss at Louisville and both remaining games against ranked teams, Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers and this program are facing a tough road. But no matter the outcome, I think Coach Babers has earned the right to return next season and most likely will.

There is a vocal percentage of Syracuse football fans who will disagree. And while they’re entitled to said opinion, there are also many who are wanting him to return and have prepared for it as well.

In light of the disparity amongst Syracuse football fans regarding his status, I thought it only fair to give you my five reasons I think Coach Dino Babers returns at least next season and maybe longer, especially if he can go to a bowl game next season.

Here’s why Syracuse football head coach Dino Babers will be back for the 2022 season.

Continuity

Sean Tucker, Garrett Shrader, Mikel Jones, Garrett Williams, Duce Chesnut and more young players still have eligibility left and as of right now, none have announced intentions to leave. Should Syracuse football decide to move on from Coach Babers, there is a risk that any or all would consider leaving, not wanting to be part of a rebuild program.

Also while 5 wins may not seem like a dream scenario, expecting 5-7 wins a season is a realistic goal for the Syracuse football program. Coach Babers has given Syracuse the highs of a 10-win season and the lows of a 1-win season (which in all fairness came in a season where Covid, staff/scheme changes and injuries/opt-outs were a huge part of it).

And maybe it’s just me but I like the comfort of having a coach I know I can rely on, is regularly competitive with every team on the schedule including Clemson and has longevity over hiring a new coach every 3-4 years if they don’t win the ACC.

Recruiting

Also, stability at the head coaching position helps secure recruits. If you replace him or there is doubt surrounding his job, why would any player want to go to Syracuse unaware of their future? And while I’m sure many would prefer him to sign 4 or 5-star players, the staff is doing a great job finding recruits who can perform on the field (Tucker, Jones, Willams, and Chesnut) as well as transfers who fit in and perform well (Shrader, Chris Bleich and Cody Roscoe).

If you become a revolving door of coaches, what does that say to young players who agree to attend Syracuse University and parents of those players who send them there?

Exceeded Expert Expectations

If I remember correctly, coming off a one-win season last year, many expectations were that Syracuse football would only win 3.5-4 games. Gambling experts and others said that was Syracuse’s limitations and since the Orange currently has 5 wins, I’d say that proves this staff and players have exceeded expectations.

I’d say exceeding expectations is proof of success. I bet many of Babers’ harshest critics as well are fans who had similar notions as to how this team would perform.

Hasn’t Lost Locker Room or Faith of Administration

A key component to a successful coach is when those who play for him and those who he works for continue to stand by him. Currently, there is zero evidence that Coach Babers has lost support from anyone inside or around the program.

Even Taj Harris and other players leaving have nothing but positive things to say about him. A college coach is much like a college professor in that part of their job is to help not just on the field/in the classroom.

It’s also to prepare these young adults to one day enter the workforce as an example of where they came from. Coach Dino Babers has established a program that builds character as well as teaches players to overcome adversity and succeed.

Contractual Obligations/Financial Responsibilities

While I am unsure on the actual specifics of Coach Dino Babers’ contract, the word is he is being paid a lot of money with at least a year or two left on his contract (some have speculated it could be for more than $3 million a year and good until 2024).

So my question is, why would Syracuse break a contract they agreed to with a successful coach unless you can GUARANTEE a more successful transition? Are you willing to pay a guy a lot of money to stay home who has never shunned questions even during times of struggle? Once upon a time, Syracuse University replaced Coach Paul Pasqualoni after a bad bowl game loss with Coach Greg Robinson only to see the program see a decline many feel still lingers.

I understand some are frustrated at certain aspects this season but to me, it doesn’t make sense or scream stability if you replace a guy who did better than many thought possible.