By Brandon Matthews

There are very modest expectations as the Orange enter year two under Doug Marrone.  No dreams of National Championships or Big East rings, no aspirations of a ten-win season (2001 seems like decades ago).  A bowl berth this season would be revolutionary.  Heck, the last time Syracuse had more than five wins in a season was back in 2004.  The Carrier Dome bubble…burst, the fan base…scattered, and Doug Marrone is left to clean up the mess.  Even with low hopes, how much time will Orange nation allow Doug Marrone?

The task is daunting and everyone knows it.  Robinson’s complete and utter destruction of a once storied program is well documented…and so has Marrone’s attempt to rebuild.  An iron fist of discipline, Marrone kicked out more than 30 players from the program prior to last season.  To put that in perspective, only 58 players dressed for the Rutgers game.  It was rash, over-the-top, and completely necessary.  He sacrificed last season to give the team a true rebirth, a deep clean.  His decision making has been applauded, his recruiting has been refreshing, he seems to be pulling all of the right strings…but could that end up being his only role?  Could Marrone be the transition coach…the janitor?

If Marrone keeps Syracuse on a similar path of 4-8 seasons and missed bowl berths, it will ultimately cost him his job.  It might also mean mission accomplished. A 4-8 squad with improved discipline and sense of direction is a lot more appealing for a coaching search than how the Orange sat after 2008.  Marrone might not be able to escape the hole that Robinson dumped this program into…but he can let Syracuse stand on his back and jump out.

When the SU job became available, coaches weren’t rushing for the Rolodex.  It was a dismal gig with a depressing outlook.  Although everyone will acknowledge this…does that extend Marrone’s leash?  Typically, there is a  three year window for results.  Take a look at Art Briles down in Baylor.  Like Marrone he took over a team that had a 3-9 record the previous season,  a team that sat at the bottom of the conference for a number of years.  After consecutive 4-8 seasons, the seat is beginning to heat up.  When will the team take the next step?  This is a squad that plays Texas and Oklahoma every year, not Colgate and Maine.  Maybe there is more pressure in Waco, more expectations…but Athletic Directors need wins.

If Marrone can turn it all around and still be at the helm, his tenure will go down in lore.  In the end, it may take Marrone’s job to get the Orange out of misery.