SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse University Chancellor, Kent Syverud and Director of Athletics, John Wildhack officially introduced Fran Brown as the 31st head coach in Syracuse football on Monday where he vowed to be here for life.
The Camden, New Jersey, native is well aware of how important Syracuse football is to the fans, going back to the 1990s during the days of Donovan McNabb and Donovan Darius. With that in mind, he made a promise to Orange Nation.
“Guys, I come from welfare, baby,” said Brown. “I’m good. I don’t need got to have that family first car no more, I’m here for life. I promise you that.”
Brown has been in Syracuse for just a few days, and he is already making his impact felt on the program. Within minutes, Brown expressed that he’s always going to be genuine with the Syracuse community and do everything he can to be successful.
“I always speak from my heart, and it just comes out real… guys, I’m going to bust my butt, y’all,” said Brown. “I’m going to bust my butt daily, and I promise you that.”
Brown introduced the concept of “DART” at his press conference: Detail, accountable, relentless, and tough. These four words are going to set the tone of the culture for Syracuse football for years to come as the “DNA traits” of the program.
When answering questions, Brown highlighted that interim head coach Nunzio Camapnile will remain on the staff, and confirmed that Elijah Robinson will be joining from Texas A&M as his defensive coordinator.
“We just got the best coordinator in the country,” said Brown. “Elijah Robinson’s coming here already… We went all in [for him].”
Brown added that NIL will play a part in the future of Syracuse football, more so for players in the portal who have two or more years of eligibility left, but he stressed the importance of recruiting players and keeping local guys home.
“We’re going to take care of our backyard from Canada all the way down,” said Brown. “In the past, that’s how they won. They [Pasqualoni and DeLeone] won in Connecticut and New Jersey, they went to the DMV and got some good players. They spot recruited Florida as well as Philadelphia, so I’m going to follow that same blueprint because it worked.”
With the press conference lasting for a little over an hour, Brown provided the fans with some insight on what exactly “Fran Brown football” is going to look like here at Syracuse.
“I’m ready to have fun, we are going to the run the ball, we are going to play good defense, we are going to stop the run, we’re going to hit and actually everybody going to ask what offense you running,” said Brown. “Whatever they can’t stop.”
Brown will not be coaching in the Boca Raton Bowl later this month, but he will be in charge for the annual spring game. One thing is certain, Syracuse football is in great hands.