Remember former offensive line coach Doug Marrone? It was considered something of a coup when Georgia lured Marrone away from Georgia Tech for the 2000 season. Pat Watson, Georgia’s offensive line coach in 1999, died during the season of a heart attack, and Marrone was something of a Watson protégé when both worked at Georgia Tech.

Marrone spent only one season in Athens and headed for Tennessee after Jim Donnan was fired following the 2000 season. Marrone also lasted just one year in Knoxville and has been an NFL assistant since. Most recently he was the offensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints.

Marrone is expected to be announced as the new Syracuse coach on Friday. He was a three-year letterman for the Orange during the 1980s and returned later to earn his degree after a brief stint in the NFL. Syracuse people are hoping that one of their own will have the passion and energy it’s going to take to turn around one of college football’s fallen powers.