(Sports Network) - Syracuse University has named alum Doug
Marrone its new football coach.

Marrone, currently the offensive coordinator for the NFL's New Orleans Saints,
was a guard at Syracuse from 1982-85. He's been with the Saints since 2006 and
has also coached on the pro level with the New York Jets from 2002-05.

Before his NFL stint, Marrone was a collegiate assistant at Tennessee in 2001,
Georgia in 2000 and Georgia Tech from 1995-99.

"When I tell you I'm excited about this job, it's beyond that," said Marrone.
"When I tell you I've dreamed about it, it's beyond that. This is the vision
I've always had. I made the decision to go into coaching and started 30 miles
from here at Cortland State. Every decision I have made along that way, I was
thinking to myself, 'Am I making the right decision so that one day I could
come back to Syracuse University?'"

Marrone will become the 28th head coach in Syracuse history, replacing the
fired Greg Robinson. Marrone apparently interviewed for the job after the
Saints beat Atlanta this past Sunday and reportedly was offered the position
Thursday before the Saints played the Bears in Chicago.

"In my heart I knew I was the best person for this job to get us back to where
we want to be," Marrone added. "I've always been part of the program, but now
I have a chance to do something with it. It's a family and we're all in this
together."

Robinson was fired with two games remaining in the 2008 season, but finished
out the campaign. In the game following the decision, Robinson earned his
signature victory in four dismal seasons with a 24-23 triumph at Notre Dame.

The Orange followed it up with a 30-10 loss at Cincinnati to finish the year
with a mark of 3-9, giving Robinson a four-year record of just 10-37.

"We looked everywhere to make sure that we brought someone to Syracuse who we
feel can be successful, who has true passion for the university and community,
and who understands recruiting in the Northeast, while being global at the
same time," said SU athletic director Dr. Daryl Gross. "It was a thorough
search and we found the perfect guy in Doug Marrone. He is a Syracuse graduate
whose passion for the job is unmatched. He's prepared himself for this and
brings incredible football expertise to the position."

Marrone helped Syracuse to a record of 19-15 during his playing career and the
school reached its first bowl game in six years with a trip to the 1985 Cherry
Bowl. He was a sixth-round pick of the Raiders in the 1986 NFL Draft and
played with Miami in 1987 and New Orleans in 1989.




Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved

 Email To Friend           Digg It!