Boise State AD Mark Coyle "has been named" to the same position at Syracuse, and will take over an athletic department "in significant flux," according to Chris Carlson of the Syracuse POST-STANDARD. There are "questions about the future of the Carrier Dome, the state of the football program and sanctions from an NCAA investigation chief among the list of concerns." But Coyle's resume "seems a natural fit for the situation." Coyle arrives at Syracuse with "experience at a number of power-five schools in different administrative positions." He has "previously worked at Kentucky, Minnesota, Florida State and Miami and boasts significant multimedia rights experience" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 6/20). Football player Sam Rodgers, SU's student-athlete rep on the AD search committee, said that fitting into the SU culture "was something the committee looked for beyond a resume filled with wins and fundraising success." Rodgers: "One of the parts of the job is connecting with the community. A lot of the people on the committee were from the Syracuse area. I never saw it myself, but there was a feeling we could do that better." The POST-STANDARD's Carlson wrote Coyle's "everyman attributes will play well" in the Syracuse region. Rodgers said that he and the committee believe Coyle can "help correct one of the weaknesses" of the administration led by former AD Daryl Gross. Despite spending a decade at Syracuse and "improving the quality of nearly every program at the school other than football, Gross was often viewed as an outsider who turned his back on tradition, concerned himself too often with the unpleasant necessity of finances and helped speed up the downfall of the football program." Rodgers: "From what I heard there was a little (disconnect)." Rodgers said that the rest of the committee "had mixed feelings about Gross' controversial tenure." Rodgers: "It was very mixed. Like you'd expect with a group like that" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 6/21).
FIRST THINGS FIRST: In Syracuse, Brent Axe noted Coyle's first day is July 6 and listed six reasons why SU "hit the nail on the head with his hire." The search committee "didn't waste time," and Coyle also has "big-time experience." Coyle also will be "dealing with NCAA sanctions," which he did similarly at BSU. Coyle has had "great success" with fundraising and brings "academic integrity." Finally, Coyle built BSU's football program into "one of the greatest success stories in college football in recent years" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 6/20). In Syracuse, Bud Poliquin wrote Coyle will get the "same mandate his two predecessors had been given. Fix football." There is "some promise here," and fans will "find out soon enough" if Coyle can fix the program (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 6/21).
BACKGROUND CHECK: Idaho Statesman reporter Dave Southorn said of Coyle, "Mark is the sort of guy who won't be front and center, always in front of a camera, but he's the sort who gets things done. He's a very personable guy toward fans, donors, and even media. That no doubt helps with his reputation as a strong fund-raiser. He's hands-off with the teams, simply wanting to serve as the sort who can give them what they want and not meddle" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 6/22). Kentucky men's basketball coach John Calipari, who spent time with Coyle at UK, said SU men's coach Jim Boeheim "will find a good partner" in Coyle. Calipari: "It shouldn't be a surprise when he says men's basketball needs to succeed and thrive over there. Jim's going to be very happy that he's the AD" (Syracuse POST-STANDARD, 6/22).
