Syracuse Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel will meet with head football coach Paul Pasqualoni on Sunday and will hold a press conference at the end of next week addressing the results of that meeting, Crouthamel announced after SU’s 38-12 win over Notre Dame on Saturday.

‘Coach Pasqualoni and I are meeting tomorrow to talk about the future of the football program, as we always do,’ Crouthamel said. ‘We will go through the evaluation process that we do every year with consideration to all factors – past, present and future.’

No statements regarding Pasqualoni’s future will be made publicly until a press conference at the end of next week. Crouthamel will be at a New York City function Monday through Wednesday and vehemently told media members not to try to contact him.

Pasqualoni, whose future at SU became the most uncertain it’s been during his tenure after a 24-7 loss to Rutgers on Nov. 30, declined to address his job security after Saturday’s win.

‘I’m not going to get into that,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘We’re here to talk about the game.’

SU players, though, spoke out in support of their beleaguered coach.

‘That’s probably the greatest coach I’ve played for,’ defensive tackle Christian Ferrara said. ‘If something does go bad, I think it will be the biggest mistake this university will ever make. We love that man. Anything we need – anything – he’ll give up time with his children to come help us.’

‘He ain’t going anywhere,’ running back Walter Reyes said. ‘I hope he doesn’t. He’s done so much for us. If he does go, it will be heartbreaking.’

Reyes, a junior, also said Pasqualoni’s status would not affect his decision to leave early for the NFL.

Pasqualoni has compiled a 101-53-1 record at Syracuse in 13 seasons. But back-to-back seasons of 4-8 and 6-6, not making a bowl game in three of the past four seasons and shrinking attendance figures have brought Pasqualoni’s future into speculation.

Still, Pasqualoni’s reputation for fielding teams with high graduation rates and good character means something to SU players.

‘We don’t just take anybody at Syracuse,’ quarterback R.J. Anderson said. ‘We could just take anybody and win more games, but I don’t know how good they’re going to do after football.’

Said tight end Joe Donnelly: ‘I’d rather play for Coach Pasqualoni at 6-6 than (Florida State head coach) Bobby Bowden at 12-0.’

Published on December 5, 2003 at 12:00 pm