Syracuse dismisses its coach

Greg Robinson’s career as Syracuse coach started poorly and never got better. When he was fired Sunday with two games left in a fourth straight dismal season, even he figured it was coming.

“I don’t think it really comes as a surprise to anyone. It doesn’t come as a surprise to me,” Robinson said.

Robinson, who will coach the final two games of this season, is 9-36 overall and 3-25 in the Big East Conference in three-plus seasons. He had another year left on a contract that pays $1.1 million a season.

Irish lose two

Wide receiver Michael Floyd and linebacker Brian Smith, both key players for Notre Dame, will miss the final two regular-season games against Syracuse and No. 6 USC because of knee injuries.

Coach Charlie Weis said both strained their knees in Notre Dame’s 27-21 victory against Navy on Saturday.