Student-Athlete Quotes on head coach Greg Robinson's tenure at Syracuse concluding after this season
Jake Flaherty, Senior, Linebacker
What was your reaction as a team captain and the guy that was chosen to lead the team, who has been here all four years?
"Obviously it's disappointing, but what he's asking of some of the older guys on this team, starters and whoever from the top down, is to just stay positive and realize that we have two games left. We're going out to Notre Dame and trying to get a win. I'll tell you what our coach is not going to stop fighting for anything."
Is the responsibility a little more for the captains?
"Definitely. You have to make sure people are staying positive and we need to make sure that we are staying positive. In a leadership role, people are going to look at you and look at your body language everyday out there at practice and it's important for us to go out there and set a good example and also infuse in others that positivity is something that you have to have if you're going to win football games. We're excited to go out to Notre Dame. It's something you dream about since you're three yours old. That's the bottom line – Notre Dame and Cincinnati."
You have two more weeks with Coach Robinson. What has been the greatest lesson that he's taught you guys?
"The one thing that I'll say about my coach is his amazing energy and positivity. I mean, the man is positive. I think he said it in his press conference that he has just as much energy, if not more, than some of the guys on the team and I think that's pretty hard to find in a coach and I think that's one thing that makes him special."
Is it a little disappointing when it comes down to it that no matter what he's done for the team, that it still comes down to wins in the end?
"Yes, it is disappointing. Unfortunately, success is measured by wins and losses. But, I've also learned it's how you play the game or how you coach the game and how you get your players ready. He always got his players ready. He had us ready going into that UConn game. We just needed to play better."
Curtis Brinkley, Senior, Running Back
On his personal reaction
“It’s hard for me and my teammates to stomach that a good person and a good coach like Coach Robinson is going to be gone. But I guess it’s a part of business and the players don’t have any control over the business part.”
On the mood of the team
“I really can’t speak for the team, but personally, it means a lot to me. Coach Robinson and his family mean a lot to me and to know he won’t be here coaching anymore is hard for me to stomach. By no means is he a good coach. He’s a great coach and a great guy.”
On the team not being as successful as coach Robinson set out to be
“I think players play and coaches coach. When we get out there on the field, it’s our job to execute and I feel that sometimes we couldn’t get it going like we were supposed to. Other times, I really don’t know what it was.”
On if the team takes partial responsibility
“Yes, I definitely take some responsibility. As players, we’re supposed to make the plays out there.”
On being able to focus during the season
“I think the players did a great job of blocking [the media attention] out and focusing on the game. For myself, I had been hearing things but I told myself I had to keep playing my game. I came in here with Coach Robinson as my coach, and I wanted to leave with him as my coach. We’re both here for the next two weeks, and I’m going to enjoy it while I can.”
On what he learned from Coach Robinson
“I can go on and on. Coach Robinson taught me a lot of things on the field, and off the field. I think the biggest thing is he helped me grow as a person. When I came in here, I was kind of immature and he helped me grow a lot as a young man.”
On his relationship with the Robinson family
“His wife and I have a great relationship. His son used to coach here too, and he was very energizing. It really meant a lot to me and I have a lot of love and respect for him.”
Andrew Robinson, Junior, Quarterback
On what Coach Robinson has taught him over the years
“He’s taught me to always be a leader as a quarterback. He’s taught me how to act in the face of adversity and to be a team leader, and a team player. I have a whole lot of respect for him, that’s for sure.”
On if he’s disappointed that coaches are judged on wins and losses
“It’s disappointing, but I think it’s something that everybody at this level knows. We’re not playing Pop Warner football, this is a Division-IA program, and we all know it comes down to wins and losses.”
On his personal reaction
“I wasn’t surprised. Like most people, I kind of expected it. We’re not immune to the outside world and the media. So, I wasn’t really surprised but I certainly was disappointed.”
On how Coach Robinson told the team
“[Coach Robinson] always has a positive attitude about things and that’s the approach he took. From the beginning of the season, he told us the season wasn’t about him, it was about the team. He told us we still have two more games to play and two more opportunities to get some wins for the seniors and the whole team.”
On the team’s reaction
“We were all pretty quiet after he told us. I think we all have respect for him and it’s a very difficult situation for the coaches and their families, and we all understand that.”
On if the team’s mindset has changed for the upcoming games
“Absolutely not. I think the team as a whole wants to send him [Coach Robinson] out on top and it’s not going to changes anything for us for the next two weeks. We’re going to be up here lifting weights, running, watching film, just doing anything to prepare for Notre Dame.”
Cam Dantley, Junior, Quarterback
On whether knowing the decision is a relief:
“In terms of just having to hear about it during the week, it’s tough for us to answer questions about what was going on with our own football coach, knowing how much he cares about us. Now that we know what the situation is, I feel the players will be down in the dumps because we know how much he cares about us and what a good coach he was for us. It is going to be tough for us to swallow as players just because we know it happens. But just as coach said, we just have to continue to work hard and finish out the season. We want to do that for him and for us as a team. He has led us to be a hard working team and the team we are now.”
On how players returning next year are feeling:
“It’s something we are going to have to get used to. Coach has been here for four years and most of the players here he has recruited. We just have to know that things will be going in a new direction and get used to what new things whoever comes in here is going to incorporate. It is just time for us to learn and develop the new things that are going to go on with the program. In terms of what is going to happen in the offseason, it’s just something we are going to have to get used to.”
On the players’ support of Coach Robinson:
“Coach has always been there for us. He tells us straight up what is going on. He’s always in here working. We know that. Anytime we want to talk to him, we can talk to him. He has pride in the game and coaches that way every week. We’ve had bad losses, but for him to come and turn it on every week and work toward the next game and game plan. It just shows his dedication to not just football, but to the team, as well. He really cares about everyone on this team. You can tell how much he loves this program and talks about how much fun he has coaching this team. We all really believe that. He likes to see players improve and he has seen us improve over the last four years. He sees us working out in the off-season. Just knowing he is there for us, has helped us improve. It shows just what kind of dedication he has for this program.”