After John Wildhack was introduced as Syracuse’s new director of athletics, several coaches stayed after his press conference to take questions. Here’s how they reacted to Wildhack’s hiring.

Jim Boeheim, SU head men’s basketball coach

During his press conference Wildhack said he and Boeheim play golf a few times each year and that, while they used to be good, that isn’t the case anymore.

The general perception is seemingly that Wildhack was an out-of-the-box hire, and that SU had hired a businessman as its AD. The longtime SU coached nixed that thinking, saying it would be different had Wildhack come from a standard firm such as IBM, the multinational technology company. Instead, he said, Wildhack comes from ESPN, which deals in sports. While he has had to make contracts, Wildhack’s line of business is still sports.

Boeheim also said he doesn’t think that the role of AD has changed all that much since he started at SU as a graduate assistant 1969. The main difference, he said, is in who is hired to fill the role. No longer are ADs similar to SU’s former longtime director of athletics Jake Crouthamel, a former football coach.

Ian McIntyre, SU head men’s head soccer coach

McIntyre teased that the only things he would put on his wishlist for Wildhack were a “goal-scorer” and someone to “keep (the ball) out of the net.” In reality, the soccer coach said, his first priority is to let Wildhack meet the team and the players. He said there wouldn’t be a long wishlist waiting for Wildhack when they sit down and talk for the first time, and that he’s just hoping to get better.

While McIntyre also joked about getting men’s soccer matches on ESPN, he noted that the network will likely broadcast the Orange’s date at Clemson on Oct. 21. He also praised the search committee for selecting a new AD in a timely manner.

“They worked very quickly and to come out with the caliber of John (Wildhack) for new AD, I think we’re all excited to see and be part of this next stage of SU Athletics,” McIntrye said.

Dino Babers, SU head football coach

Babers said Wildhack’s biggest negative probably would be hiring and firing coaches, but that when you look at SU’s coaching staff, Wildhack won’t have to worry about that for some time. Wildhack will have time to grow into his athletic department-specific jobs, Babers said, such as hiring and firing coaches.

“I just feel like that’s something he’ll gather the knowledge as he goes,” Babers said.

SU’s head football coach thought Wildhack’s interaction with on-air talent, specifically coaches that call games — Babers specifically mentioned former Texas coach Mack Brown — gives the new AD a good “background check.”

Babers noted that Wildhack’s resume made it clear that he was somebody who’s in it for the long haul, having spent 36 years at ESPN.

“We want people that want to be here … and if this not the place for you, then good luck at some other place, because we want people that really embrace what this university has to offer.”

When asked whether success might propel Babers to leave SU as former AD Mark Coyle did, Babers said despite fans’ feelings toward the former athletic director, he wrote a “fantastic contract for Syracuse University.”

Published on July 12, 2016 at 6:55 pm

Contact Chris: cjlibona@syr.edu | @ChrisLibonati