Syracuse football offensive line coach Bob Wylie was fired, head coach Greg Robinson announced via a press release late Sunday night.

Wylie’s dismissal was the first and only coaching change of an otherwise quiet offseason for SU football, which finished 4-8 for its second straight losing season under Robinson.

‘I’ve decided to go in a different direction at the offensive line coaching position,’ Robinson said in the release. ‘Bob Wylie is leaving us with a wealth of resources that he put into place in his time here.’

The offensive line was a point of heavy scrutiny for SU. The Orange tried five different starting lineup combinations in 12 games, a startling number for positions that often rely on continuity. SU finished 97th in the nation in rushing offense, 103rd in passing offense and 110th in total offense. It finished 116th in sacks allowed, averaging 3.75 per game.

While the Orange had a freshman class dense with offensive line prospects, Robinson insisted on redshirting everyone in the group.

Wylie was one of the more experienced coaches Robinson hired when he accepted the job after the 2004 season, with 12 years of NFL coaching experience.

There is no word on Wylie’s replacement and no timetable for the announcement.

— Zach Berman, sports editor

Published on January 15, 2007 at 12:00 pm