Syracuse football is undergoing a serious offseason transformation, and it’s not just a tweak here or there-it’s a full-on staff overhaul, especially on the defensive side of the ball. With new head coach Fran Brown at the helm, the Orange are clearly building a staff with deep football roots, diverse experience, and a shared vision for what this program can become.
Let’s break down the key additions and what each of them brings to the table.
Vince Kehres - Defensive Coordinator
The biggest defensive hire is Vince Kehres, who takes over as defensive coordinator following Elijah Robinson’s departure. Kehres comes in with a proven track record from Toledo, where his defenses consistently ranked among the nation’s best.
He’s known for crafting physical, assignment-sound units that don’t beat themselves-something Syracuse fans will welcome with open arms. Kehres’ arrival signals a shift toward a more disciplined, aggressive defensive identity.
New Faces Across the Board
Kehres isn’t coming alone. The entire defensive staff is getting a facelift:
- Jeremy Hawkins takes over as Edge coach. He’s tasked with developing the pass rush and outside containment-two areas where Syracuse has room to grow.
- John Scott joins as Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Line coach.
His experience and leadership will be critical in the trenches.
- Perry Eliano is now overseeing the defensive backs. He brings a wealth of experience coaching at the Power Five level and has a reputation for developing NFL-caliber talent.
On the offensive side, two key hires stand out:
- Juan Castillo will lead the offensive line. A veteran coach with NFL experience, Castillo is known for his ability to mold cohesive, physical units up front.
- Sean Ryan steps in as quarterbacks coach. His job? Develop consistency and elevate the play at the most important position on the field.
Dennis Thomas - Running Backs Coach
Dennis Thomas isn’t new to the program, but he’s stepping into a new role as running backs coach. Originally brought in under Dino Babers as Director of High School Relations, Thomas stayed on through the coaching transition, most recently serving as a Quality Control Analyst.
Thomas’ coaching résumé is deeply rooted in New Jersey, where he was a successful high school head coach. At Millville High School, he went 52-24 and coached current Orange running back LeQuint Allen. Before that, at Salem High School-his alma mater-he turned around a winless team and led them to playoff appearances, coaching future NFL star Jonathan Taylor along the way.
As a player, Thomas was a standout at Rutgers, racking up 3,245 all-purpose yards and finishing in the top 10 in program history. That kind of experience-both as a player and coach-makes him a valuable asset in the development of Syracuse’s backfield.
Marcus Walker - Nickels Coach
Marcus Walker comes to Syracuse after three seasons coaching cornerbacks at Towson, where he helped produce All-CAA talent every year. He’s no stranger to the grind, having worked at Louisiana Tech, Stephen F. Austin, McNeese State, and Oklahoma.
As a player, Walker was a two-time All-Big 12 cornerback and a team captain at Oklahoma. He helped lead the Sooners to three conference titles and BCS Bowl appearances before stints in the NFL and CFL. He brings both credibility and a technician’s eye to the secondary, and he’ll be tasked with developing the hybrid nickel position in Syracuse’s defense.
Kelvin Hopkins - Director of Football Operations
Hopkins steps into the Director of Football Operations role after previously serving as the assistant. A former Army quarterback, he captained the Black Knights and earned MVP honors in the 2018 Army-Navy Game and the Armed Forces Bowl.
After his playing days, Hopkins served in the U.S. Army as a Plans Officer and Platoon Leader. His leadership background and attention to detail make him a strong fit for the operational side of the program.
Jake Balliu - Assistant Director of Football Operations
Balliu joined Syracuse ahead of the 2025 season after stints in Florida’s equipment department and as Director of Equipment Services at Long Island University.
A former standout receiver and return man at Winona State, Balliu holds the school record for punt return yards and finished his career with over 1,500 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns. His playing experience and logistical know-how give him a unique perspective in his role.
Stack Williams - Director of Player Development
Williams has been around the Syracuse program in a quality control role, working closely with recruiting and strength and conditioning. Before that, he founded Supreme Being Inc., a Connecticut-based training and mentoring program for athletes.
He played at SUNY-Morrisville and later transferred to UConn. Now, he’s focused on guiding players off the field, helping them grow both personally and professionally.
Andre Kates - Special Assistant Head Coach
Kates brings a unique blend of coaching and scouting experience. He’s coached at the high school level at National Christian Academy and Rock Creek Christian Academy, and interned with the Washington Commanders’ scouting department.
As a player, Kates took a winding road-signing with Florida out of high school, then starring at the junior college level before finishing his career at Virginia Union. He signed with the Baltimore Ravens in 2013 and now brings that journey full circle as a mentor and leader on Fran Brown’s staff.
Support Staff & Analysts
Syracuse has also bolstered its behind-the-scenes brain trust with several key hires:
- Alessandro Cantillo - Assistant Strength & Conditioning Coach: Former NAIA all-conference defensive lineman at Keiser, with four years of experience on their staff.
- Daniel Bolden - Defensive Analyst (Linebackers): Played under Kehres at Toledo and was a Third Team All-MAC selection in 2024. His familiarity with Kehres’ system should pay dividends.
- Ryan Krum - Offensive Analyst (Offensive Line): Former San Diego State lineman with coaching stops at UCLA, University of San Diego, and St. Augustine High School.
- Charlie Brewer - Offensive Analyst (Quarterbacks): A name college football fans will recognize, Brewer started his career at Baylor, where he was Big-12 Co-Offensive Freshman of the Year. He threw for over 10,000 career yards across stops at Baylor, Utah, and Liberty. He’s now turning his attention to coaching, with previous experience at Bowling Green and North Texas.
- Chris Mull - Defensive Analyst (Defensive Line): Comes from Clemson, where he spent the last three years as a student assistant. That’s a strong pedigree to bring into the fold.
- Trent Sherman - Recruiting Assistant: Focuses on Upstate New York, New England, and Canada. A former three-year starter at St. John Fisher, he knows the region well.
- Bruce Eugene - Scouting Assistant: A two-time SWAC Offensive Player of the Year at Grambling, Eugene has coached at the college and high school levels, including a stint as QBs coach at Alcorn State.
Final Thoughts
This is more than just a coaching shuffle-it’s a full-scale culture reset. Fran Brown is surrounding himself with a mix of seasoned veterans, rising stars, and former players who’ve walked the walk. There’s a clear emphasis on player development, recruiting ties, and building a staff with both coaching chops and personal connection to the game.
If Syracuse is going to climb the ACC ladder, it starts with the people in the building. And right now, the Orange are stacking the deck with coaches and staff who know how to build, teach, and lead.