Syracuse announces major overhaul to coaching staff

Syracuse confirmed today there were multiple coaches from the football program that would not be retained on the coaching staff beyond this year. Head coach Dino Babers stated that they were parting ways with three coaches, including offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Sterlin Gilbert.

Syracuse changing coaching staff

“Syracuse head coach Dino Babers confirms in a statement that OC/QB coach Sterlin Gilbert, DL coach Vinson Reynolds and TE/IR coach Reno Ferri will not be retained,” stated 247Sports’ Stephen Bailey. “‘We wish them nothing but the best.’ Syracuse DC Tony White and OL coach Mike Schmidt will be retained for 2022, Babers announced in a separate statement.

“The four assistants whose futures remain unclear: RB coach Mike Lynch, WR coach Terrence Samuel, LB coach Chris Achuff, S/NB coach Nick Monroe.”

Syracuse finished their season on Saturday with a 31-14 loss to Pittsburgh, ending the year with a 5-7 record. The Orange also ended up with a disappointing 2-6 record against ACC opponents.

Since taking over the Syracuse program in 2016, Babers has only had one winning season. In 2018, Syracuse finished the season ranked 15th in the nation after a win in the Camping World Bowl over West Virginia. Despite that 10-3 season record, Babers’ overall record as coach of the Orange is 29-43.

Coaching changes across college football

After five years with Oklahoma, Lincoln Riley’s decision to accept the head coaching position at USC sent shockwaves around the college football landscape. The decision now makes Oklahoma the latest program in search of a coach, although their interim leader is a surprising choice alone. Oklahoma coaching legend Bob Stoops will be taking over the Oklahoma program for their postseason.

The Florida Gators also officially announced the hiring of Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns head coach Billy Napier on Sunday afternoon. They made it official shortly after reports of Napier calling a team meeting to tell his players in Lafayette.

The move comes exactly a week after the school announced it had fired Dan Mullen in the midst of his fourth season.

But the Gators became the first to pull the trigger, plucking Napier out of Louisiana to become the program’s 29th coach. The move caused many to question why LSU, which announced it would part ways with Ed Orgeron at the conclusion of 2021, didn’t work harder to secure an in-state candidate.

On3’s Stephen Samra contributed to this article.