Former Syracuse football coach Frank Maloney died Monday in his hometown of Chicago, where he’d spent the last 40 years of his life after leaving the Salt City behind. After speaking with several guys who played for him, it’s become clear that Maloney’s famously gruff exterior
didn’t endear him to everyone.

But the players who loved him adored him, including Solvay high school alum Garry Acchione, who says Maloney gave him a chance to play for his hometown team.

“I’m just so grateful for the guy. I never could have afforded to attend Syracuse without a scholarship,” said Acchione.

Acchione spent one season under Bobby Bowden at Florida State before transferring to SU, where he was fortunate enough to play for both Maloney and his successor, Coach Mac.

“Y’know, I was doing well down there but my heart was still in Syracuse.”

So Acchione came home and played strong safety for the Orangemen, joining an impressive list of legendary coaches and players that Maloney recruited to Syracuse. Both Art Monk and Joe Morris played for the former Bo Schembechler assistant with Morris still tops in program history in rushing yards.

Tom Coughlin and Nick Saban both coached under Maloney, who despite compiling all that talent only managed three winning records in seven seasons. But he certainly left a lasting legacy.

“A lot of people don’t realize, and it’s a shame they don’t realize this, but he was the one that was very instrumental in the building of the Carrier Dome,” Acchione recalls, “He was very visible, he was always out there [in the community], he was always being so supportive.”

Maloney coached the final season at ancient Archbold Stadium and the first season inside the Dome. He also coached a full season of road games in 1979 when the Dome was under construction, somehow guiding Syracuse to 7 wins and an Independence Bowl trophy. After going a disappointing 5-6 in 1980 Maloney resigned and went home to Chicago, where he spent 30 years working in the Chicago Cubs front office.

Maybe gone, but not forgotten by Acchione and his teammates.

“I just can’t say enough great things about the guy. It’s a shame that he’s passed on and it just hasn’t sunk in yet.”