Syracuse Sun

Head football coach Fran Brown is using the life lessons football teaches to transform his Syracuse University student-athletes into men who are invested in their community and prioritize the needs of the team over their own.

The Fran Brown era began successfully when the Syracuse University football team defeated Ohio University 38-22 on Saturday afternoon. The game took place before a lively crowd of students, Central New York community members, and alumni inside the JMA Wireless Dome.

Since being hired as the program’s 31st head coach on November 28, 2023, Brown has been focused on turning the Orange into national championship contenders. He has brought in numerous talented student-athletes and coaches while emphasizing values beyond football.

Brown, who came to Syracuse as the nation’s top college football recruiter and a member of the 2022 College Football National Championship coaching staff with the University of Georgia, uses football's life lessons to shape his players into community-oriented individuals.

“Football has changed everything. It’s helped me be where I’m at today because of teamwork, because it’s bigger than just yourself. When you’re able to give it everything you’ve got, and it’s for us, not for I, then it becomes about everybody,” Brown says. “Now that I’m in the position I’m in, I can take football and I can help people literally change lives. I can be a blessing to others and to the community.”

Brown hails from Camden, New Jersey, where he excelled as Camden High School’s quarterback. After playing for Hudson Valley Community College for a year, he was recruited by Matt Rhule to play for Western Carolina University. There he thrived at cornerback, earning first-team All-Southern Conference honors and serving as team captain while earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

“My coaches were good, positive men that were teaching me the right things and wanted to see me be successful,” says Brown. “That just poured into me and has been a big influence on my coaching career. You always take all the good that everyone gives you and you want to be able to give back, to help, to push young men to go be successful in life.”

With excitement building around the Orange football team—faculty and staff are encouraged to purchase tickets for Saturday’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day game against Georgia Tech—Brown discussed his approach on episode 168 of the “‘Cuse Conversations” podcast.

Reflecting on his first game as head coach at Syracuse University:

“It was cool. It was emotional...I’m extremely happy for them [my family], and more so I’m happy for all the buildup from this community...This win was for them,” said Brown.

Regarding pre-game nerves:

“There were uncontrollable nerves! ...But I knew we were prepared...I’m just thankful and happy that everybody [in the JMA Dome] got to enjoy their Saturday with a win.”

On lessons learned from his first game:

“I’ve got to control my composure on certain things...My coaching staff did a great job...Keep the players involved...Be where your feet are...It’s mental toughness.”

Discussing DART (Detailed, Accountable, Relentless, Tough):

“No matter the situation...this DART tool is going to get them in and out of some of the toughest situations in their lives...If you’re DART in everything you do, you’re probably going to be very successful.”