The Memphis Commercial Appeal’s Marlon W. Morgan reports that yet another big medium-name contender has rejected the poisoned chalice that is the head coaching position at Syracuse University.
East Carolina coach Skip Holtz put to rest speculation that he was headed to Syracuse on Thursday when he withdrew from consideration for its coaching vacancy.
While in Memphis on Thursday afternoon, along with Kentucky coach Rich Brooks, to promote the Jan. 2 match-up between the two schools in the 50th AutoZone Liberty Bowl, Holtz declined to discuss in detail his reasons for withdrawing his name. Instead, he wanted to talk about the Pirates and how in just four seasons, they have gone from a Conference USA bottom feeder to league champs with a 9-4 record.
”It’s flattering. It’s an honor,” Holtz said of his consideration for the Syracuse job. ”It’s a real tribute to these football players, to this coaching staff, to the administration and the job they’ve done in building it. And this fan base for their excitement and enthusiasm. All those things people look at and say, ‘Wow, they’re doing it right down there.’
”I keep saying I’m the duck that gets to float on top of the water and take so much of the credit. But there are so many people that are the feet that are pedaling like crazy to make this thing go forward.”
“Declined to discuss in detail”? How many details would Holtz really need to cite?