Syracuse Football Begins Offseason Overhaul After Tumultuous 2025 Season
The page has officially turned for Syracuse football, and it couldn’t have come soon enough. After a 2025 season that spiraled into an eight-game losing streak and a 3-9 overall finish, the Orange are wasting no time shaking things up. Head coach Fran Brown made it clear that change is coming - and it’s already underway.
Staff Overhaul Signals New Direction
On Tuesday, Brown announced a significant restructuring of his assistant coaching staff. Among those not returning for the 2026 season are special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield, offensive line coach Dale Williams, defensive backs coach Joe Schaefer, and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Robert Wright. These moves come as part of Brown’s broader effort to reset the culture and performance standards within the program.
There’s also a shift in responsibilities for defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson. A longtime friend of Brown's from their Camden, N.J. roots, Robinson will now serve as co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach. That title change likely paves the way for the addition of another defensive coordinator who will take over play-calling duties - a key adjustment considering how much Syracuse struggled on that side of the ball this year.
Brown didn’t mince words in his statement: “The results this season were not reflective of the high standards I have for our program. After carefully evaluating our entire organization, I made the difficult decision to seek new leadership for some units of our football team. These are the changes needed for our goals of competing for championships at Syracuse.”
It’s a tough business, and coaching changes always come with personal consequences. But after a season where the Orange ranked near the bottom of the ACC in nearly every major statistical category, it’s hard to argue with the need for a reset.
More Changes Already in Motion
This isn’t the first wave of staff changes under Brown. Back in early November, wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator Myles White was let go. That opened the door for Josh Gattis - who had joined the program in April as a quality control/offensive specialist - to step into the wide receivers coach role.
There was also a bit of musical chairs among offensive assistants. Offensive associate head coach Nunzio Campanile moved from quarterbacks to tight ends, while co-offensive coordinator Michael Johnson flipped from tight ends to quarterbacks. These shifts reflect a coaching staff still searching for the right chemistry and leadership on offense after a season that never found its rhythm.
A Season That Started Hot - and Then Collapsed
It’s easy to forget now, but Syracuse actually opened the season with a promising 3-1 start, including a road win at Clemson that had fans dreaming big. But when starting quarterback Steve Angeli went down, the offense unraveled, and the QB room never recovered. From there, the wheels came off.
Statistically, the Orange were in rough shape. Syracuse finished 15th in the ACC in scoring offense and dead last - 17th - in scoring defense.
The team was also 15th in total offensive yards per game and 16th in defensive yards allowed. Those numbers paint a clear picture: this wasn’t just a team that lost games - it struggled to compete.
Looking Ahead: Recruiting and a Fresh Start
Despite the rocky season, there’s reason for optimism. The early signing period for the 2026 class begins this Wednesday and runs through Friday. Syracuse is in the mix for what could be its highest-ranked recruiting class in the modern era - a crucial step as Brown looks to rebuild the roster and reestablish Syracuse as a contender in the ACC.
And while the season didn’t offer many bright spots, one player did shine: redshirt senior punter Jack Stonehouse. On Tuesday, he was named to the All-ACC first team for the 2025 season - a well-earned honor for one of the few consistent performers on the roster.
The Bottom Line
Fran Brown is making it clear: mediocrity won’t be tolerated. With a flurry of coaching changes already underway and a potentially historic recruiting class on the horizon, Syracuse football is entering a new chapter. The 2025 season may have ended in disappointment, but the foundation for a turnaround is being laid - and it’s happening fast.