Former defensive lineman Wayne Williams spoke via text message to The Daily Orange on Monday and said that Scott Shafer’s firing would be good for the football program.

“Wonder if he was as surprised as I was when I heard he was leaving,” Williams said. “I like playing at Syracuse University. I don’t control who coaches there. Like he says, control the controllables.”

Shafer was fired on Monday morning, but will coach the final game of the season on Saturday against Boston College. Williams transferred to West Georgia, a Division II school because he said he was released from the Syracuse program after last season without explanation.

“I didn’t leave by choice,” Williams said. “I would never leave my brothers. Funny that no one knows why I magically disappeared from Syracuse.”

Williams said he didn’t hate Shafer, but wondered why what he did was so bad to get him released from the program. Williams also said he would likely talk to some of his former teammates later in the day.

“I honestly don’t know how football handles itself.”