Syracuse set to name Marrone coach

Dec 12, 2008 - 7:56 AM SYRACUSE, New York (Ticker) -- Syracuse University is preparing to tap New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marrone as its new football coach. An announcement is expected on Friday.

The 44-year-old Marrone has served as "running game" coordinator under Sean Payton in New Orleans.

Payton said he was ecstatic for Marrone on the NFL Network prior to the Saints' 27-24 loss to the Chicago Bears on Thursday. Marrone was with New Orleans for the game.

Marrone played at Syracuse from 1983-85. After two seasons in the NFL, he began his coaching career working with tight ends at SUNY Cortland in 1992.

Over the next 10 years, Marrone worked for six schools. His longest stint was at Georgia Tech, where he spent five seasons.

In 2002, Marrone became offensive line coach with the New York Jets. After four years in New York, Marrone moved on to the Saints.

Syracuse's selection of Marrone occurred after East Carolina coach Skip Holtz announced he had withdrawn his name from consideration and declined further discussions regarding the job.

"While it is always flattering for others to have an interest in your abilities, I simply am too focused on our preparations for the bowl game and many other of our short- and long-term goals to fairly evaluate what I feel is a promising situation at Syracuse," Holtz said. "I appreciate Syracuse's interest, but that certainly is a direct reflection on what our players, coaches and the Pirate Nation have been able to accomplish, especially through a season that featured so much adversity."