In John Wildhack’s annual summer press conference yesterday, the 7th-year Athletic Director was asked about Dino Babers’ contract. More specifically, if he is up for an extension. In response, Wildhack clarified that while Babers won’t be extended right now his time in charge of SU isn’t over.
“There’s multiple years left on his contract. Let me state that clearly.”
John Wildhack
This conversation isn’t at all a new one. But why do John Wildhack and the athletic department continue to support him? There seems to still be a belief that when the Orange went 10-3 in 2018, it wasn’t a fluke. At Eastern Illinois, Dino had a 12-2 season and in 2015 Babers went 10-3 at Bowling Green. But at the power five-level, that success hasn’t been replicated.
Last year looked as if it could become another resume builder. Syracuse started off 6-0 and was ranked in the top 15. Then, of course, the team fell apart and finished just a game above .500. On the recruiting side the 2023 recruiting class is ranked 84th in the country. The class is the worst in the power five and is ranked below schools such as Arkansas State, Rice, and Southern Miss. Wildhack however, thinks that the situation is on the rise.
“I think we’ve had a really really good offseason. The coaches, the assistant coaches he’s brought in are very very good, they’ve contributed instantly. I think we’re having success in the recruiting trail.”
John Wildhack
In terms of the 2024 class, there is definitely improvement. But there had to be after last year’s disaster. The Orange currently has the 50th-best class in the nation and 11th best in the ACC.
So while recruiting has taken a turn for the better, and Wildhack believes there are improvements in the coaching staff, what has to be done for the AD to be happy with Dino?
“You want to be good enough where you’re playing that 13th game.”
John Wildhack
Last year was the first time since the 2018 season the Orange made it to that 13th game. It was just the second time in Babers’s seven years in charge. If making a bowl game is your baseline, accomplishing it less than 30% of the time would make you think change is imminent.
The 2023 season doesn’t look too promising for Syracuse. A bowl game doesn’t seem so likely. Early predictions put Dino’s team near the bottom of the ACC. If the Orange miss a bowl game again will Wildhack finally put the Babers era to an end?
