One minute before Friday’s 11 a.m. press conference called to determine his fate, Paul Pasqualoni peeked his head out from behind a door and saw a room full of reporters. He looked around, a little overwhelmed by the turnout. He cracked a smile, then winked at a select few members of the media.

Three minutes later, Syracuse Director of Athletics Jake Crouthamel confirmed what the Syracuse football head coach had already tipped off: Pasqualoni will remain SU’s coach for next season. All of Pasqualoni’s assistants will also stay with Syracuse.

Next year, Pasqualoni will focus more on offensive decisions, especially during games, instead of spending most of his time coaching the defense, as he did the past two years. Current offensive coordinator George DeLeone will remain associate head coach and offensive line coach, but Pasqualoni’s increased role serves more as a demotion for DeLeone.

‘We acknowledge that some adjustments need to be made,’ Crouthamel said, ‘but do not believe that wholesale change is wise at this point in time.’

When Crouthamel announced his decision to retain Pasqualoni, a group of staff and players – including R.J. Anderson, Damien Rhodes and basketball coach Jim Boeheim – applauded loudly.

Crouthamel said he made the decision to keep Pasqualoni on Dec. 1, the Monday after SU’s 24-7 loss to Rutgers. He focused on four areas for making his decision: the coaching staff, recruiting, facilities and the fans. With national signing day Feb. 4, Syracuse faced a large risk of losing players whom had committed verbally. Crouthamel also said a completely new coaching staff would be detrimental to Syracuse’s success next year.

Crouthamel stressed the need for an improved weight room and an indoor practice facility, which would alleviate the constant demand for the Carrier Dome among revenue and non-revenue sports.

‘Syracuse University has been at somewhat of a disadvantage in recruiting because some of our facilities do not match up against those of larger, better-funded and primarily state Division I-A schools,’ Crouthamel said.

Pasqualoni is 101-53-1 in his 13 seasons at Syracuse. He’s been to eight bowl games, compiling a 6-2 record, including a 26-3 win over Kansas State in the Insight.com Bowl in 2001.

‘I love being here at Syracuse,’ Pasqualoni said. ‘I appreciate the opportunity to be here. I appreciate the outstanding fan support we have gotten.’

Pasqualoni said he encouraged Crouthamel to let him control the offense, which ranked No. 71 in total offense this season. Also, Crouthamel and Pasqualoni discussed a change in offensive scheme, though Crouthamel declined to elaborate.

In the week following SU’s loss to Rutgers, Pasqualoni faced intense scrutiny. Many fans and members of the media have called for his job. Meanwhile, his players stood behind him. So did Crouthamel, whose opinion was the only one that mattered.

‘At this level of football,’ Pasqualoni said, ‘coaches come in and what you try to do is earn your job every single day. If you don’t do that, there’s a great risk that you’re not going to have a job the next day.’

Said Crouthamel: ‘I believe in this football program – the coaches, the student-athletes, the fans. I believe we can maintain a high graduation rate. I believe we have coaches who are excellent role models. I believe we can produce quality players and, equally important, quality citizens. And I believe we can win.’

Published on December 11, 2003 at 12:00 pm