The details around Pariano's firing have tended toward soap opera-like rumors more than anything factual. The reason being that Pariano was fired and as in any termination he was advised to not spill details in public.
What we do know is that Pariano had a very successful five seasons as a head coach in Evanston, coaching several All-Americans and hauling in top recruits season after season. Before becoming the head coach Pariano was also successful as an assistant, helping Jake Herbert and Dustin Fox win NCAA championships.
As for the motivations for termination I can help dispel some of the more eye-popping rumors. There were no major or minor NCAA violations during Pariano's tenure as head coach. There was no precipitating event or altercation with an athlete that necessitated immediate action. Pariano was also not arrested on suspicion of any other type of wrongdoing.
Ultimately the reason may not be known for some time, but it's fair to conclude that with a termination this close to the season Pariano had lost the support of the Northwestern administration.
For now Pariano seems to be hitting the ground running and looking for new opportunities. Since the reason for his expulsion may never be known, if you fall to the side that believes it was a personality conflict then he may yet enter the NCAA ranks again. With a job like Fresno State open there is certainly room to figure Pariano to be a top candidate.
To your questions …
Q: What do you think of high level/senior level wrestlers starting a union forcing companies, like FloWrestling, to pay them higher fees to show their matches under their paywall subscription?
-- Peter W.
Foley: This would be unprecedented and maybe not have much merit.
High school sports are still, in most parts of the country, highly regulated and truly amateur. The dollar figures coming out of the sports are nowhere near the invested amounts. The athletes aren't on scholarships and most have a much stricter rules for attending classes, etc.
While I see your point, Flo is simply a broadcast company based on the Internet and no difference than any other network showcasing a high school athletic event.
With that said, #DeathtotheNCAA
Did you see the Big Ten revenue projections …
Q: Does Matt Storniolo have a chance to get his interim tag removed and become the head coach of Northwestern following the season? If not, who do you see as candidates for the job?
-- Mike C.
Matt Storniolo has spent six seasons on the Northwestern coaching staff (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)I'm assuming that Northwestern will outperform expectations this season. There isn't much that Coach Storniolo will need to change heading into the season (since plans are laid out well in advance) and with Tim Cysewski still on staff there is decades of head coaching experience and guidance to help him acclimate. That means that the wrestling and mat motivation will be Coach Storniolo's main charge -- areas I know he's more than capable of delivering winning results.
As someone I once knew very well and had the opportunity to hang out with again at the World Championships in Las Vegas I do wish Storniolo the best of luck this season. I know he's always wanted to be a head coach, but I doubt this was the way he imagined the opportunity.
My instinct tells me that a national search would probably bring out more than a few heavy hitters that Northwestern would need to consider. Storniolo would need a breakout season and detailed five-year plan to stave off the wolves.
I for one am pulling for him and Northwestern.
Q: I am once again looking forward to the NWCA All-Star Classic and would like to see your picks? Who is going to win and what is the most anticipated match up?
-- Jason N.
Foley:See predictions below.
125: Nathan Tomasello (Ohio State) dec. Zeke Moisey (West Virginia), 12-5
133: Mason Beckman (Lehigh) dec. Rossi Bruno (Michigan), 4-2
141: Cody Brewer (Oklahoma) tech. fall Dean Heil, So. (Oklahoma State), 18-3
149: B.J. Clagon (Rider) dec. Alexander Richardson (Old Dominion), 9-8 (Match of the Night)
157: Mitch Minotti (Lehigh) dec. Cody Pack (South Dakota State), 11-4
165: Alex Dieringer (Oklahoma State) pinned Ethan Ramos (North Carolina)
174: Zach Epperly (Virginia Tech) dec. Kyle Crutchmer (Oklahoma State), 3-2
184: Nathaniel Brown (Lehigh) dec. Blake Stauffer (Arizona State), 4-1
197: Max Huntley (Michigan) dec. Conner Hartmann, (Duke), 5-2
285: Adam Coon (Michigan) pinned Ty Walz, Jr. (Virginia Tech)
MULTIMEDIA HALFTIME
Link: The Human Toll of Corruption
Every press conference ever
Great spot for college wrestling!
Q: Can you give us an overview of the Alrosa Cup?
-- @wrestlingnomad
Foley: The Alrosa Cup is the European Cup of Nations and will feature the top five/six teams in each of the styles from the European Continent. Though competition will be tough in the finals, you can expect Russia to win all three team titles.
Freestyle: Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Azerbaijan, Turkey
Women's freestyle: Ukraine, Bulgaria, Russia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Sweden
Greco-Roman: Ukraine, Bulgaria, Russia, Azerbaijan, Hungary, Turkey
Q: Why don't more foreigners come to college in U.S. for wrestling? Campbell has a couple. Feel quick way to get good.
-- @RobbyHitch
Foley: There are some tough TOEFFL requirements for incoming students. Unless the student is already in an American high school, the transferring process can be extremely difficult. Most of the Mongolian students that have come through over the past decade (and Uzbek) have done so through community college. Only Turtogtokh went straight from and American high school to a Division I program.
I ado agree. Great way to add energy, and results, to a program that isn't yet recruiting top 100 athletes inside the border
Q: What should we expect at the NYAC for the Bill Farrell International Open? Any tips for first-time attendees?
-- @JaroslavWrestle
Foley: Be sure to wear a jacket and tie if you plan on entering through the main entrance! The NYAC is a bit stuffy, but in the way a prize fight of the 1920's must've felt -- intimate quarters, tons of action, and some upper middle class panache to compensate.
The NYAC is back in great hands with Iranian-American Hooman Tavakolian at the helm. A humble and generous family man with a passion for the sport, Mo has been a great ambassador for the NYAC around the world.
Expect compelling matchups and great wrestling in a truly unique venue. Also … I'll be there!
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