Paul Finebaum reacts to Syracuse firing Dino Babers
Syracuse decided to move on from Dino Babers following a loss to Georgia Tech over the weekend, and Paul Finebaum is reacting to the revelation.
Babers joined the Orange in 2016, taking over as the head coach, and he’ll finish his time with the program with a record of 41-55 in nearly eight seasons. Additionally, Syracuse dropped to 5-6 in 2023 with their 31-22 defeat at the hands of the Yellow Jackets in Week 12.
During an appearance on The Matt Barrie Show, Finebaum explained he had no qualms with the firing. Babers was given plenty of time to turn the Orange around, and it simply never worked out the way he wanted it to.
“I just think we remember, six or seven years ago, interviewing Dino Babers after he upset Clemson. The guy was on top of the world, and it just happens,” Finebaum said. “I would like to say he’s in a really tough league, but I can’t. He got a lot of time, and it didn’t work out.
“I hate it, but I’ve seen (Syracuse Athletic Director) John Wildhack fire other people, so it wasn’t that surprising.”
Nevertheless, Babers’ time at Syracuse wasn’t without accomplishments. He led the program to two bowl games in his time as head coach. The standout year came in 2018, when Syracuse went 10-3 and finished No. 15 in the AP Poll.
However, the Orange haven’t been able to recapture that magic since. Outside of his 10-win season in 2018, Babers went 31-52 as head coach of Syracuse. That’s the reason for his time being up.
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Tight ends coach Nunzio Campanile is expected to serve as interim head coach, per Thamel. Campanile did the same for eight games in 2019 for Rutgers upon the firing of Chris Ash.
On3’s Andy Staples revealed his hot board for replacements for Babers. Among them are Toledo head coach Jason Candle, Colorado offensive coordinator Sean Lewis, Florida State offensive coordinator Alex Atkins, Holy Cross head coach Bob Chesney, New England Patriots offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien and James Madison head coach Curt Cignetti.
It’ll be fascinating to see which coach gets the nod, and if it’s any of the coaches Staples mentioned, but there will certainly be an interesting search unfolding for the Orange.
Without Dino Babers in the fold, Syracuse will finish its season against Wake Forest Saturday at 2:00 p.m. ET, hoping to get a victory to end their season.