AP Photo/Kevin Rivoli

By Tim Schlittner

There has been much criticism of Doug Marrone on this blog. Some of it fair. Some of it not so fair. We’ve talked at length about his approach to player discipline. The news that gifted linebacker E.J. Carter—kicked off the team by Marrone—would join N.C. State—certainly puts that subject back on the minds of fans.

I agree with our new columnist Brandon Matthews who said regarding Marrone’s tough approach: “It was rash, over-the-top, and completely necessary.” In a recent post entitled “Face it, Marrone Screwed Up,” Dave Cooperman ripped the Syracuse head coach upon news that 30 year old Nathaniel Hackett would call plays for the Orange this season. I share Dave’s reservations.

But it was another headline this week that I believe highlighted Doug Marrone’s biggest mistake so far as head coach of Syracuse: “Greg Paulus hired as Navy basketball assistant.” That’s right. Doug Marrone played Greg Paulus—now a basketball coach— for too long.

Syracuse comes into the 2010 season with a decent amount of experience.  Nine starters return on defense. A few members of the offensive line have logged important game experience. The backfield, if eligible, is a strong veteran group.

The position of biggest concern by far is quarterback. Sophomore Ryan Nassib comes in only having attempted 68 passes in his career. In 5 of his 8 appearances last season, he threw less than ten times. It didn’t have to be that way.

When Greg Paulus enrolled at Syracuse to play quarterback, it was definitely an interesting story.  The local and national media wondered aloud if the Duke point guard could return home and help bring the Syracuse football program back to competiveness. 

He didn’t. 

His play was at times decent and at others brutal. He threw 13 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Early in the season, even as Syracuse was having some success, it was clear he could not make throws down the field or in tight spots. Nassib was often brought in to handle third and longs. On others, Marrone would just run and punt. Then, on homecoming weekend against South Florida, things imploded. Paulus threw 5 interceptions and accumulated a quarterback rating of 54.3 during a 14 point loss to South Florida. The next week against West Virginia, Paulus threw an interception on his second pass. He was benched by Marrone at halftime.  In mop up duty, Nassib threw for 120 yards and two touchdowns in a losing effort.

It was clear to anyone watching that game that it was time to make the switch to Nassib permanent. Syracuse was 2-4 and reeling. Nassib was playing better football. And how about that little thing no one wanted to talk about: next year. 

Marrone resisted.

Well next year is here and Paulus is in Annapolis. And instead of Ryan Nassib dealing with growing pains in the beginning part of this season, he could have been getting the kinks out of his system in the second half of last year. Paulus managed 2 wins in his final 6 games and Nassib was deprived of valuable game experience that could have gotten the 2010 Orange off on the right foot.  And why? Because Greg Paulus is a nice guy? Because he’s from Syracuse? Because Nassib is a Greg Robinson recruit and Marrone doesn’t like him?

None of these explanations satisfy me. When Ryan Nassib goes under center at Akron in just 31 days, he will be making his first career start. It should be his seventh. That small disparity in games may be the difference between Syracuse making a bowl or adding another losing season to a miserable decade.

Doug Marrone should be held responsible for his role in enabling the latter to be more likely.