Syracuse’s spring football season began with the first official practice on Tuesday morning. The Orange is coming off a 4-8 season as Dino Babers gets ready to enter his second season as a head coach.

Here are three notable things Babers said on Tuesday.

Suspended players deserve a second chance

Two Syracuse football players, Jaquwan Nelson and Devon Clarke, were suspended last month after being arrested on burglary charges.

Babers started off by saying how disappointed he was that “we show up in the paper like that.” He also stressed that Nelson and Clarke understood the mistakes they’ve made, too. Babers said that the school administration needs to make a decision before he can regarding any potential return.

“Disappointed, but I do believe everybody deserves a second chance,” Babers said.

Mike Hart is getting paid more at his new job

Nearly three weeks ago it was announced that running backs coach Mike Hart was leaving his position at SU to take on the same position at Indiana. Hart had just finished his first year as the running backs coach at Syracuse.

According to Babers, Hart is earning more at his new post.

“Mike left for an enormous raise,” Babers said. “I don’t want to get into his personal business, but it was a very big financial raise.”

SU will take time to fill its coaching vacancies

The Orange lost two coaches in the offseason. Along with Hart, special teams coordinator and linebackers coach Tom Kaufman also departed the program.

In the meantime, Babers said he’s trying to find the best fit with his current staff. He said that his coaching staff is versatile, so he’s not looking specifically for someone to replace the two departing coaches. He also said that many people were interested in the job.

“I don’t want to make a fast hire just because spring ball has started,” Babers said. “I want to really take my time with this.

“I think when it’s all said and done we’re gonna have a good hire.”

Published on March 21, 2017 at 11:30 am

Contact Tomer: tdlanger@syr.edu | @tomer_langer