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Syracuse offensive coordinator George McDonald (left) will no longer call plays for the Orange. Quarterbacks coach Tim Lester (middle) takes those responsibilities.

(Stephen D. Cannerelli | scannerelli@syracuse.com)

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse offensive coordinator/associate head coach George McDonald has been demoted to wide receivers coach and will no longer call plays, SU head coach Scott Shafer told syracuse.com in an email statement late Monday morning. Quarterbacks coach Tim Lester will become the new offensive coordinator and will call plays. Pete Roussel of 247Sports.com first reported the change in play callers late Sunday night.

"I've had to make a tough decision that has been less difficult to make because of the unselfishness of our teammate and coach George McDonald," Shafer said. "Let me start by saying I've never worked with a harder working and more devoted individual than George McDonald. I truly appreciate his devotion to the team.



"I've made the decision to change roles to use our staff's talents together more effectively. Coach Tim Lester will call the plays and coordinate the offense moving forward. He, George and the offensive staff will continue to work alongside one another striving to improve our offense together. Tim will take charge of the play calling and the development of our young quarterbacks. George will continue to coach our receiver unit."

McDonald's offense has struggled mightily to convert in the red zone this season, managing just one touchdown in the last two games. The second-year offensive coordinator outlined his play-calling process last week before the Orange's 28-6 loss to Louisville on Friday night.

Lester, who is in his second year as quarterbacks coach, values numbers, charting and percentages. He grades each of his quarterbacks on footwork, decision making and completion percentage, among other attributes, during each practice. Previously, he served as the quarterbacks coach at Western Michigan (2005-06) and head coach at Division-III Elmhurst College (2008-12).

Lester's first opportunity to orchestrate the offense comes Saturday when Syracuse (2-3, 0-1 ACC) hosts No. 1 Florida State (5-0, 3-0) at noon, looking to snap a three-game losing streak.

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