The decision to fire Dino Babers as Syracuse football coach came down to one month on the calendar.

"What the exit really boils down to is November. We’ve not had the success in November," Athletic Director John Wildhack said Monday morning.

Babers was fired Sunday after eight seasons at the helm in Syracuse, following a 31-22 loss to Georgia Tech. It was a season that started with four straight wins, but has since seen a 1-6 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Orange can still reach bowl eligibility if they, under interim coach Nunzio Campanile, can defeat Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon.

Wildhack said the late-fall swoon has been a "consistent theme," despite Babers' teams having meaningful November games. Syracuse started last season 6-0, but finished the season 1-5 before a Pinstripe Bowl loss to Minnesota.

"We’ve not had the success that we need, and that really is one of the things that stood out to me," Wildhack said Monday.

Wildhack said the benchmark for Babers' Orange coming into the season was a 7-5 regular season, and when that wasn't attainable following the Georgia Tech loss, the AD said it was "time to move." Babers, he confirmed, was given the option to coach against Wake Forest, but opted not to.

What You Need To Know

  • Following the dismissal of Dino Babers on Sunday, Director of Athletics John Wildhack discussed the future of the program on Monday 

  • He did not give a timeline on when he will made a decision but has fielded a lot of phone calls from interested parties

  • Wildhack pointed to the lack of success in November as the main reason for Babers' dismissal

“This is not a total reboot," Wildhack said. "You know, we've got some really good players. And if you can keep that nucleus together, add to that nucleus, enhance our recruiting efforts, our player development efforts, we can win. We can be very competitive in the ACC. We're not that far away. I still think there's ways that we are an ascending brand. From a record perspective, I get it. You know, 5-6. Not acceptable, right? That's why I made the decision that I made. But I go back in terms of the investment, the commitment that we made, the investments that we've already made in the infrastructure of the program. So I think it is. Is there a lot of work to do? Absolutely, and I acknowledge that. But we will do the work.”

While the next candidate doesn’t need direct ties to the University, Wildhack says a strong relationship in the Northeast is a must. 

“You need someone who's a really good leader, I think someone who's a really clear communicator," Wildhack said. "One who can develop. Most power five schools, you know, were developmental schools, right? Who has an eye for talent? Who can develop that talent? Someone who can communicate and build a staff. Not only the assistants, but support staff as well. Someone who's going to represent the values of our university in our community as well.”

There’s no timeline on when a decision will be made. In the meantime, Wildhack urges the fans to remain supportive as SU remains just a win away from bowl eligibility.

“I would hope our fans would come out and support our seniors for what they've given to this program and what they've given to the university and the community in terms of going forward," Wildhack said. "I will do everything I can to hire the right coach who can lead us to the success that we all covet.”