As much as I admire Fran Brown for what he did in the 2024 season, his first campaign as Syracuse football's head coach, I respect him more for who he is as a person, and his leadership away from the field.
I've written several columns on this theme, and I'm doing it again today, because Coach had a lovely post on X this past Saturday that simply reiterated my feelings about Brown. I know that many other Orange fans feel the same way about him.
Brown is a lovely blend of no-nonsense and kindness. He holds himself, his assistants and his players accountable, for what they do on the field, in their academics, and who they are as human beings.
Fran Brown doesn't back down to any other team out there. He's not afraid of playing against the big boys, in games and on the recruiting trail. His #DART philosophy is ingrained in his program, even after just one year at the helm, and the fan base has clearly bought in (myself included).
Syracuse football found a gem in head coach Fran Brown.
On May 31, Brown wrote via his X page: "Don’t allow people around you to be ok with mediocrity, it’s contagious. We don’t care about your past or how it was, there’s a new standard and it will rise everyday. If you don’t want to elevate stay away from me, I’m going to challenge you to become the best version of yourself daily."
How can one not love what Brown is saying here? He's honest, open, candid and upfront. He's genuine. He cares about others. He demands and expects greatness. That's the kind of human being we need leading our Syracuse football program.
As a first-time head coach in the 2024 season, Brown guided the Orange to a 10-3 overall record, a bowl-game win, three victories over top-25 foes and a No. 20 ranking in the final Associated Press top-25 poll.
Led by record-setting quarterback Kyle McCord, the 'Cuse offense was historically prolific a term ago. It was thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Following 2024, numerous national pundits dished out high praise to Brown for what he achieved in his first year on the Hill.
Naturally, given who he is, Brown isn't satisfied with 10 wins. He wants to go undefeated and win national championships. It's not a pie-in-the-sky dream. He expects to contend for national titles.
Brown and his top-flight staff are faring quite well on the recruiting trail these days. The buzz around the 'Cuse program is palpable, although Syracuse football does, on paper, have a brutal 2025 docket.
To me, though, all of that is just the appetizer. The main course (hibachi, anyone?) is who Fran Brown is as a person, and how he fabulously represents our alma mater. We're supremely lucky to have Coach leading our beloved Orange.