Syracuse Football Fires Head Coach Scott Shafer

Shafer will coach SU’s final game of the season against Boston College on Saturday. However, I feel a change in leadership is needed at this time.

The Orange are a disappointing 3-8 overall this season, and 1-6 in the ACC. They have lost eight straight after starting the season 3-0. Syracuse slipped to 3-9 in 2014 and 3-8 this season. Coyle said the school will start its search for a new coach immediately.

Shafer was promoted from defensive coordinator after Doug Marrone left for the National Football League and helped transition Syracuse into the ACC, winning a bowl game in his first season in 2013.

It was the first major move for Athletics Director Mark Coyle, who came over from Boise State earlier in the year.

Sports Illustrated’s scribes list OR offensive coordinator Scott Frost, Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, Coastal Carolina Coach Joe Moglia, Fordham Coach Joe Moorhead, Notre Dame offensive coordinator Mike Sanford and MI State offensive coordinator Dave Warner as possible candidates to replace Shafer.

Syracuse has become the latest FBS program to fire its head coach. His 24-year career included assistant jobs at IN, Rhode Island, Northern IL, Illinois and Western MI before he broke through and landed the defensive coordinator job under Jim Harbaugh at Stanford.