Marrone's former stint as the New Orleans Saints' offensive coordinator as well as offensive line coach will be of use to his new position. He is also a Syracuse alumnus who played offensive guard way back 1983-1985. His main responsibility is to provide a pivotal point for the lackluster performance of the Syracuse Orange during the stint of then head coach, Greg Robinson.



His gargantuan task to resurrect a football program is very daunting and challenging and especially for somebody like Doug Marrone who will be the head coach for the very first time. There are also some mixed reactions from Syracuse fans because he was neither the first nor even the second choice and the fact that it took a very long time before he was eventually chosen.

It was said that head coach Randy Edsall of University of Connecticut was the main choice of Dr. Green, the Athletic Director of Syracuse University after which the head coach of East Carolina, Skip Holtz, was also considered for the job but later on the latter that he was not going to take the post. Furthermore, there were speculations that Turner Gill, Buffalo head coach was the next one on the list. These three people are seasoned head coaches of their different football teams.

With the selection of Doug Marrone as head coach of the Syracuse Orange comes the hope but at the same time reservations on his capacity to lead the team. Marrone, though he has worked with the Saints for some time as offensive line coach, he has no head coaching experience. Another factor is the fact that he has not worked with the college games for years. The last time that he was involved in it was in 2002. Then, he does not have enough pull yet which would ensure that they would have enough influence yet in the recruitment program of the team.

One thing though that can be said for Doug Marrone is that he possesses the passion and the dynamism for winning. He also has a tremendous drive to revitalize the otherwise miserable showing of the Syracuse Orange these past seasons.

It has been noted before when he was still playing for the Orange that he showed the same drive, enthusiasm and healthy respect for the University and the football program that they have. There was an incident when he wrote an impassioned essay on why the team had to win in a game with a team from Nebraska in which the Syracuse Orange was the said to be in a precarious situation. The Orange did win that game.

Now that he is at the helm of his university's football team, can he, Doug Marrone, steer the Syracuse Orange to glory? That remains to be seen.