Friday was the day that all Syracuse fans had been dreading.  The NCAA finally announced the findings of their decade-long investigation into violations by the Syracuse football and basketball programs.  As a result of the investigation, the Orange basketball team will lose scholarships, and their head coach for nine games.
One of the major sanctions that the NCAA leveled against the Orange is that Jim Boeheim will be suspended for nine ACC games next season.  Boeheim made it clear that he will appeal his punishments including his vacated wins and suspension.
Assuming that he will indeed serve his suspension and sit out the first nine ACC games, Syracuse fans will see something that have not seen in 39 seasons.  Someone not named Jim Boehiem will be standing in front of the Orange bench.
While one may see this as a punishment that can greatly hurt the Orange in the early part of their conference schedule.  However, this may actually be a good thing for the future of the Orange program.  It has long been assumed that the successor to Jim Boeheim will be assistant coach Mike Hopkins.
Hopkins played under Boeheim at Syracuse and has been an assistant under him for nearly twenty years.  It is safe to assume that Hopkins will take the helm in those nine games, which Boeheim will sit out.
This will not only give Hopkins a few games experience as a head coach at the highest level in college basketball, but it will also give fans a glimpse into the future of the program.  There is no telling how much longer Boeheim will be the head coach at Syracuse but it is safe to say it won’t be that much longer.
There is a chance that some of the players who play for the Orange next season will still be at the school when Boeheim steps down for good.  This could give some of these players the chance to play under the man who will take over for Coach Boeheim.  Overall, this suspension could provide a glimpse into the future of the program and give Hopkins a chance to get some experience.
Posted:  Logan Grossman
