Scott Shafer ripped off his headset, threw one of his possessions to the ground and had to be restrained by two of his assistants on the sideline. The Syracuse head coach was irate following a 15-yard illegal use of hands penalty on his team and his tirade cost SU another 15 yards.

The two penalties moved Clemson from its own 21-yard line to the Orange’s 49 midway through the third quarter on Saturday against Clemson. At the time, Syracuse trailed by just seven to the nation’s top team.

Throughout the Orange’s (3-7, 1-5 Atlantic Coast) current seven-game losing streak Shafer has stressed that his team continue to “control the controllables,” but that’s something he didn’t do against Clemson.

When asked Tuesday on his weekly teleconference about the challenge of contradicting himself, Shafer said, “Good point. I made a mistake on that play. Nothing they could learn from.”

Shafer said he didn’t apologize to his team for the slipup.

“Just like I don’t expect an apology from my players when they make a mistake,” Shafer said. “We own it and move forward.”

Discussions with Mark Coyle

At his introductory press conference in June, newly hired Director of Athletics Mark Coyle said he would take this year to evaluate Syracuse’s football program. Mired in a seven-game losing streak, its longest since 2005, questions about Shafer’s job security are swirling.

Shafer, who has one year left on his contract, was asked on Tuesday if he’s had any discussions with Coyle about his job.

“If I did, that would be between Mark and I,” Shafer said.

He was then asked if he would prefer a resolution before the season ends.

“I think for me, it’s just a matter of focusing on things that are out in front of us right now and all the other things that are behind closed doors are just that, behind closed doors between me, my staff and anybody in the administration.

Amir Ealey and Qaadir Sheppard suspensions

After Saturday’s game, Syracuse announced that freshmen defensive ends Amir Ealey and Qaadir Sheppard were suspended indefinitely for violating team policy. Tuesday was the first time Shafer addressed the media since the announcement of the suspension, but when asked about their availability, he reiterated what was already announced.

Said Shafer: “Both young men are suspended indefinitely for violating team policy.”

Published on November 17, 2015 at 1:30 pm

Contact Paul: pmschwed@syr.edu | @pschweds