Syracuse football

Syracuse head coach Dino Babers appeared on ESPN's 'Sportscenter' to discuss his passionate victory speech given to the Orange following a win over Virginia Tech on Saturday.

(Stephen D. Cannerelli/The Post-Standard)

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse University football coach Dino Babers says he is a little embarrassed at how his passionate victory speech following Syracuse's 31-17 win over then-No.17 Virginia Tech has gone viral.

That said, Babers said the speech came straight from the heart and he knows it can only help his program now.

"The thing that I saw was just so much pure emotion and so much pure joy," Babers said on ESPN's "Sportscenter" on Wednesday. "The excitement in their eyes the accomplishment in their eyes and the belief. When those eyes are looking back at me, it just got me fired up."



"I'm a little embarrassed at how this thing has taken off a bit," Babers said. "But for the young men, for the university, for the community and for everyone else out there that has never been in a winning locker room in college football, I'd imagine that's what it looks like."

Babers told ESPN anchor David Lloyd that people have texted him to let him know the speech has been used a motivational tool to get through the day.

Babers told Lloyd he never scripts a speech to his team.

"That's from the heart," Babers said. "I don't script anything. I don't write anything down. I like to tell people the truth. I like to speak from the heart."

Babers said while the speech after the win over the Hokies was more passionate than usual, he does try to give his team a message that will resonate.

"I try to give them the truth, something that will stick with them," Babers said. "On the Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, maybe even something that will stick with them for life. Something that in that moment, it's a precious moment. That they won't forget that time. I want to tag something to it that they will always be able to draw from that will give the opportunity to be better fathers, better sons, better husbands."

Babers said he's doing what he can to keep the team grounded this week and to shift their focus to their next game against Boston College, but recognizes that the win over Virginia Tech could be a game-changer for Syracuse.

"It's a staple win, there's no doubt about it," Babers said. "It's really important when you are taking over a new program and you are changing the way they do things. You are changing the way they dress. You are changing the way the play offense and defense. You are changing the responsibilities of going to the classroom and responsibilities on and off the football field. You need something that really bring everyone together so they say 'you know what, this guy knows what he is doing let's follow him.

I think if, excuse me, when this program turns around, a lot of people will point back to that night over Virginia Tech at the Dome."

You can watch Babers' full interview on "Sportscenter" below.

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