Marrone fires playcaller Spence, two others
November, 30, 2009
11/30/09
4:15
PM ET
By
Brian Bennett | ESPN.com
Two days after his inaugural season as Syracuse head coach ended, Doug Marrone made some major shakeups on his staff.
Marrone has fired offensive coordinator Rob Spence, wide receivers coach Jamie Elizondo and defensive line coach Derrick Jackson.
Spence oversaw an offense that finished second-to-last in the Big East in scoring at 21.2 points per game and last in total offense. The low point was a 10-9 loss at Louisville on Nov. 14.
But in their last two games, the Orange suddenly sprang to life on offense, scoring 31 points each in a win over Rutgers and a loss to UConn. The offense incorporated lots of new wrinkles, including pre-snap motions and some option. Makes you wonder if perhaps Marrone, who after all was the New Orleans Saints' offensive coordinator before coming to Syracuse, took on a bigger role in the play calling late in the year. Would Marrone consider serving as his own offensive coordinator?
Marrone has yet to comment on the moves.
Marrone has fired offensive coordinator Rob Spence, wide receivers coach Jamie Elizondo and defensive line coach Derrick Jackson.
Spence oversaw an offense that finished second-to-last in the Big East in scoring at 21.2 points per game and last in total offense. The low point was a 10-9 loss at Louisville on Nov. 14.
But in their last two games, the Orange suddenly sprang to life on offense, scoring 31 points each in a win over Rutgers and a loss to UConn. The offense incorporated lots of new wrinkles, including pre-snap motions and some option. Makes you wonder if perhaps Marrone, who after all was the New Orleans Saints' offensive coordinator before coming to Syracuse, took on a bigger role in the play calling late in the year. Would Marrone consider serving as his own offensive coordinator?
Marrone has yet to comment on the moves.
Brian Bennett | email
College Football- ESPN.com Big Ten blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2008
- Wrote for The Courier-Journal
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Andrea Adelson
Adelson joined ESPN.com in 2010 after spending time as a college football columnist at The Orlando Sentinel. She has covered college football since her days as a University of Florida student, and lives in Orlando, Fla.
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