Frank Maloney (American football)

Frank Maloney
Sport(s) Football
Biographical details
Born September 26, 1940 (1940-09-26) (age 71)
Playing career
1959–1961 Michigan
Position(s) Center, guard
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1968–1973
1974–1980
Michigan (assistant)
Syracuse
Head coaching record
Overall 32–46
Bowls 1–0
Statistics
College Football Data Warehouse

Frank Maloney (born September 26, 1940) is a former American football player and coach. He was the head coach at Syracuse University from 1974–1980, succeeding College Football Hall of Fame inductee, Ben Schwartzwalder. Prior to coaching at Syracuse, Maloney was an assistant coach at the University of Michigan under Bump Elliott (1968) and Bo Schembechler (1969–1973).

Maloney's tenure at Syracuse was marked by inconsistency. His team's fan base turned on him as the Orangemen failed to achieve the national status they had enjoyed under Schwartzwalder, perhaps, failing to remember that Schwartzwalder's last few seasons were mediocre ones, and his 1970 team had been stricken by racial unrest. Maloney's program was also limited by archaic facilities, as Archbold Stadium, Syracuse's home field since 1907, was in need of replacement. Nonetheless, Maloney did recruit a number of future NFL stars such as Joe Morris and Pro Football Hall of Fame member Art Monk.

Maloney was the subject of criticism, not only from the fans and alumni, but also from the 1959 national championship team, members of which started a campaign calling for his ouster. Ironically enough, this call from program alumni came during the 1979 season, Maloney's best at Syracuse, when the Orangemen qualified for the Independence Bowl, beating McNeese State. After coaching the Orangemen for seven seasons and presiding over the opening of a new stadium, the Carrier Dome, in 1980, Maloney was fired and replaced by Dick MacPherson.

Maloney is currently the Director of Ticket Sales for the Chicago Cubs.

Head coaching record

Year Team Overall Conference Standing Bowl/playoffs Coaches# AP°
Syracuse Orangemen (Independent) (1974–1980)
1974 Syracuse 2–9
1975 Syracuse 6–5
1976 Syracuse 3–8
1977 Syracuse 6–5
1978 Syracuse 3–8
1979 Syracuse 7–5 W Independence
1980 Syracuse 5–6
Syracuse: 32–46
Total: 32–46
      National championship         Conference title         Conference division title
#Rankings from final Coaches' Poll.
°Rankings from final AP Poll.

References