Re: From The Shadows | The Rise Of "Nitro" Nash Savage (CFB25)
HC Nash Savage Joins The Daily Orange
Bryan Pittman: Welcome back to The Daily Orange podcast! I'm here with the man at the helm of the Orange, head coach Nash Savage, as Syracuse continues to charge through another fantastic season. Coach, first off, congrats on that huge win over Maryland this weekend!
Nash Savage: Thanks, Bryan. I know everyone loves hyping up our rivalry with Miami, but the Terps have been a serious problem for us the past few years. They've beaten us before—more than Miami can say lately. Maryland’s one of those teams that sticks around to the bitter end, so it felt great to get that win.
BP: Speaking of Miami, with those wins over West Virginia and now Maryland, you guys sit alone at the top of the ACC Atlantic with four games left. One of those games is against a Miami squad that's struggled this season. Does that change your preparation with less on the line?
NS: Not at all. Rivalry games are still battles, no matter what the standings say. Regardless of their record, Miami’s a talented team, and I know they’d love nothing more than to spoil our run with a late-season upset. So we prepare like always: full throttle.
BP: You mentioned tight contests earlier. Penn State and Ole Miss both pushed you guys to the wire this season. Do you relish those types of games to help build resilience?
NS: Absolutely. Tight games show you what you're made of. They test your mettle, and they’re proof that what we’re grinding on during the week is translating on Saturdays. Those are the moments where teams either crack or bond stronger, and I'm proud of how our guys have responded.
BP: Speaking of responding, Immanuel Hendrix has been clutch in those moments. Game-winning touchdowns in both those tight games and now a nation-leading 38 touchdown passes. What’s driven his jump this season?
NS: Honestly, Immanuel’s always had that ability. He’s thrown 40-plus touchdowns each of the last two years. I think we’re just leaning into the passing game more this season. But credit to him—he’s a workhorse. Came in as a film junkie and has only doubled down on that since teaming up with Kadin a couple of years ago.
BP: Sounds like Kadin’s promotion to offensive coordinator has played a big role in that passing surge, right?
NS: No doubt. Kadin’s a former QB, and he loves dialing up passing concepts. I’ve had to rein him in a few times like, "Hey, we're up three touchdowns—maybe mix in a few runs." (Laughs) But hey, with the skill talent we’ve got, I don’t blame him for wanting to showcase it. We’ve seen a few more interceptions, sure, but with the weapons we have? I get it.
BP: Speaking of those weapons, Dalton Wear has been electric for years now, and Roy McCleon showed flashes as a freshman. But talk to me about tight end Ryan Magoolaghan—he’s added something special to this offense.
NS: Magoo’s a unicorn, plain and simple. He’s 6’6", faster than most safeties and linebackers, and just a matchup nightmare. We’ve had successful tight ends before—Chickillo, Franz, and even back to Tanner Koziol at Ball State—but none of them had Magoo’s blend of size and speed. He forces defenses into tough choices: help the corner with Wear on the outside or leave someone in the middle to keep Magoo from running wild. Kadin’s play-calling and Magoo’s emergence have both been huge for our passing game this season.
BP: Before we wrap up, let’s talk recruiting. Sixteen commits already locked in—safe to say that’s the full class?
NS: I’d say so. Unless someone reclassifies, I don’t expect us to add anyone else this cycle. We’re only graduating 12 seniors, so we’ve accounted for that plus a few extras in case someone declares early.
BP: Now, you did miss out on Frank Thomas, the #4 overall recruit and top QB prospect, who chose Maryland. How tough is it seeing a high-profile target succeed with a rival?
NS: It’s bittersweet. On one hand, it validates your evaluation when a guy you liked turns out to be a star. On the other hand, when that success happens at a rival program? Yeah, that stings. We’ve seen it before with AJ Yeast at Miami—he’s made some big plays against us, and Thomas could easily be another guy like that for Maryland. We’ll see how it plays out.
BP: Alright, Coach, one last question—and I’m sure you’re tired of hearing it. Despite some high-profile SEC jobs opening recently, you’ve stayed put in upstate New York. Can you finally put the fanbase at ease and confirm you're here to stay?
NS: (Chuckles) Same answer as always, Bryan. I evaluate each opportunity as it comes. I didn’t get any calls last cycle, but if I do, it'll depend on the program and the circumstances. I won’t make empty promises. But let me say this—it would take something really special to pull me away from 'Cuse. This is home now.
HC Nash Savage Joins The Daily Orange
Bryan Pittman: Welcome back to The Daily Orange podcast! I'm here with the man at the helm of the Orange, head coach Nash Savage, as Syracuse continues to charge through another fantastic season. Coach, first off, congrats on that huge win over Maryland this weekend!
Nash Savage: Thanks, Bryan. I know everyone loves hyping up our rivalry with Miami, but the Terps have been a serious problem for us the past few years. They've beaten us before—more than Miami can say lately. Maryland’s one of those teams that sticks around to the bitter end, so it felt great to get that win.
BP: Speaking of Miami, with those wins over West Virginia and now Maryland, you guys sit alone at the top of the ACC Atlantic with four games left. One of those games is against a Miami squad that's struggled this season. Does that change your preparation with less on the line?
NS: Not at all. Rivalry games are still battles, no matter what the standings say. Regardless of their record, Miami’s a talented team, and I know they’d love nothing more than to spoil our run with a late-season upset. So we prepare like always: full throttle.
BP: You mentioned tight contests earlier. Penn State and Ole Miss both pushed you guys to the wire this season. Do you relish those types of games to help build resilience?
NS: Absolutely. Tight games show you what you're made of. They test your mettle, and they’re proof that what we’re grinding on during the week is translating on Saturdays. Those are the moments where teams either crack or bond stronger, and I'm proud of how our guys have responded.
BP: Speaking of responding, Immanuel Hendrix has been clutch in those moments. Game-winning touchdowns in both those tight games and now a nation-leading 38 touchdown passes. What’s driven his jump this season?
NS: Honestly, Immanuel’s always had that ability. He’s thrown 40-plus touchdowns each of the last two years. I think we’re just leaning into the passing game more this season. But credit to him—he’s a workhorse. Came in as a film junkie and has only doubled down on that since teaming up with Kadin a couple of years ago.
BP: Sounds like Kadin’s promotion to offensive coordinator has played a big role in that passing surge, right?
NS: No doubt. Kadin’s a former QB, and he loves dialing up passing concepts. I’ve had to rein him in a few times like, "Hey, we're up three touchdowns—maybe mix in a few runs." (Laughs) But hey, with the skill talent we’ve got, I don’t blame him for wanting to showcase it. We’ve seen a few more interceptions, sure, but with the weapons we have? I get it.
BP: Speaking of those weapons, Dalton Wear has been electric for years now, and Roy McCleon showed flashes as a freshman. But talk to me about tight end Ryan Magoolaghan—he’s added something special to this offense.
NS: Magoo’s a unicorn, plain and simple. He’s 6’6", faster than most safeties and linebackers, and just a matchup nightmare. We’ve had successful tight ends before—Chickillo, Franz, and even back to Tanner Koziol at Ball State—but none of them had Magoo’s blend of size and speed. He forces defenses into tough choices: help the corner with Wear on the outside or leave someone in the middle to keep Magoo from running wild. Kadin’s play-calling and Magoo’s emergence have both been huge for our passing game this season.
BP: Before we wrap up, let’s talk recruiting. Sixteen commits already locked in—safe to say that’s the full class?
NS: I’d say so. Unless someone reclassifies, I don’t expect us to add anyone else this cycle. We’re only graduating 12 seniors, so we’ve accounted for that plus a few extras in case someone declares early.
BP: Now, you did miss out on Frank Thomas, the #4 overall recruit and top QB prospect, who chose Maryland. How tough is it seeing a high-profile target succeed with a rival?
NS: It’s bittersweet. On one hand, it validates your evaluation when a guy you liked turns out to be a star. On the other hand, when that success happens at a rival program? Yeah, that stings. We’ve seen it before with AJ Yeast at Miami—he’s made some big plays against us, and Thomas could easily be another guy like that for Maryland. We’ll see how it plays out.
BP: Alright, Coach, one last question—and I’m sure you’re tired of hearing it. Despite some high-profile SEC jobs opening recently, you’ve stayed put in upstate New York. Can you finally put the fanbase at ease and confirm you're here to stay?
NS: (Chuckles) Same answer as always, Bryan. I evaluate each opportunity as it comes. I didn’t get any calls last cycle, but if I do, it'll depend on the program and the circumstances. I won’t make empty promises. But let me say this—it would take something really special to pull me away from 'Cuse. This is home now.
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