Posted by: Chris Vannini on February 26, 2013

Scott Shafer just got some more help.

Syracuse has announced plans to build a $17 million, 87,000-square-foot indoor practice facility for Orange football and other sports. Construction on the project will begin later this year.

"The timing is perfect for this great project as Coach Shafer takes over the football program coming off a successful bowl-winning campaign, and while we are enjoying the best team success across the board in the history of Syracuse Athletics," athletic director Daryl Gross said in a release. "Now is the critical time to press forward as we strive to compete for championships in the ACC.

"This practice center will give our football program, and our other programs, the opportunity to prepare, practice and play amongst the best in the nation, while providing the best possible environment for the development of all of our special student-athletes."

The indoor facility is the fourth phase of facility improvements at Syracuse. Previous upgrades include renovation of the football wing at Manley Field House, a new strength and conditioning facility and new practice field.

"There so many things that have been going on the last two years with the football program with regards to the facilities. It just keeps moving forward," Shafer said in an interview with Syracuse's official site. "The commitment from the administration is where it starts, and the commitment from the outside with people throwing money at us, trying to get us to where we can compete on the field, off the field with recruiting.

"You get a new indoor facility. Now you bring a kid up from Virginia that's looking at us and Virginia Tech and say, 'Look, we're practicing here. We've got the best indoor facility in the ACC, you're going to play in the dome.' It gives you another opportunity."

You can watch an interview with Shafer and Gross by clicking here. Syracuse begins spring practice on March 19.

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Chris Vannini is the lead writer for CoachingSearch.com and has covered Michigan State sports for The State News, The Oakland Press and MLive.com. He writes a weekly column for the Detroit Free Press on behalf of SB Nation. Vannini lives in Big Ten country, so his foot speed is far from SEC caliber, but his pulse on coaches is hard to match. Be sure to follow @CoachingBuzz on twitter and send your feedback to chris@coachingsearch.com