As Paul Pasqualoni moves on after 14 years at the helm of the Syracuse football team, much of the Syracuse community is eagerly awaiting a new coach.

But the Dec. 29 announcement that Pasqualoni would not be retained had a much different meaning for many of players groomed by Pasqualoni. While some Syracuse fans grew tired of him, his former players feel no one is better suited for the SU head coaching job than the longtime coach.

‘It’s very disappointing to say the least,’ said former Syracuse tight end Lenny Cusumano, who graduated in 2004. ‘It’s a sad day for the Syracuse football family. He did so much for the community.’

Even though his job was to coach football, Pasqualoni extended his duties to off the football field. He made it a point to run his football team like a business. He expected his players to conduct themselves as professionals, whether it meant arriving early for team meetings, dealing with the media or resolving problems within the team.

‘He’s a tough guy to play for,’ said former Syracuse tight end Steve Brominski, who graduated in 2000. ‘He tries to get the most out of every guy. Everything is done his way and he rules with a heavy hand. When you’re done playing for him, you really appreciate everything he did. He never forgets his players.’

Pasqualoni’s fondness for his players is one of the main reasons he lasted so long at Syracuse. It is also why his dismissal stings his former players so badly.

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‘I called my roommate as soon as I heard (Pasqualoni was fired),’ Brominski said. ‘I was in disbelief. He was a great man for the players and the University. There’s so many clichs used when you’re playing football, but they really come to fruition out in the real world. One thing he always told us and, is absolutely true, is if you take care of the little things, the big things take care of themselves.’

Still some players were not surprised or fazed by the decision to fire Pasqualoni. He maintained a close relationship with the starters, but some of the second and third string players never really got to know Pasqualoni as more than a coach.

And while Philadelphia Eagles and former Syracuse quarterback Donovan McNabb publicly supported his college coach through years of criticism, other players weren’t too upset by Syracuse’s decision to fire Pasqualoni.

‘You have your McNabbs and (former Syracuse fullback Rob) Konrads who have a close relationship with the head coach,’ former Syracuse wide receiver Jeremy Cooper said. ‘Maybe it was my fault. I was strong-headed and P didn’t really like that. We had our run-ins.

‘Even though Coach Pasqualoni and I weren’t on the same page, I respect him deeply. When you think of Syracuse football, you think of P. He knew the game inside and out like no one else. As much as I think the program needed a new direction, I respect Pasqualoni as a coach.’

And Pasqualoni earned that respect by compiling the second most wins by a coach in Syracuse football history. Coupled with his enthusiasm for helping players off the field and preparing them for life after football, Pasqualoni made an impact on many of the athletes that played under him.

‘Coach P was a classy guy and he always did things the right way,’ Cusumano said. ‘Academics were very important to him. He wanted to make everyone the best football player and the best individual he could be. He leaves a legacy behind that’s hard to follow.’

Published on January 15, 2005 at 12:00 pm