Syracuse, N.Y. -- Jim Boeheim remembered Dick MacPherson the way most people remember Coach Mac:
"He was just the greatest guy," Boeheim said today in a phone conversation. "He was just one of those rare guys that everybody loved. He was one-of-a-kind, a special human being. He obviously did a great job coaching football. And he was just a unique individual."
MacPherson, the former Syracuse football coach, died Tuesday at age 86. The two Syracuse coaches interacted throughout their careers at Syracuse and continued their friendship after MacPherson left the Orange to coach in the NFL. MacPherson returned to Syracuse to live after his stint with the New England Patriots and was a radio broadcaster for Orange football games.