Syracuse football is making moves-and they're not shy about raiding the ACC to do it.
The Orange have landed John Scott Jr. as their new defensive run game coordinator and defensive line coach, prying him away from conference heavyweight Clemson. Scott brings a deep and diverse résumé to the table, having spent the last two seasons as a defensive assistant with the Tigers.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. His coaching journey has taken him through major programs like Penn State, South Carolina, and Arkansas, as well as stints in the NFL with the Detroit Lions and New York Jets.
Before all that, he was a standout player at Western Carolina and even suited up in the Arena Football League.
This hire comes on the heels of Syracuse parting ways with Elijah Robinson, who officially departed for Texas A&M earlier this week. Robinson had served as the Orange’s assistant defensive coordinator and defensive line coach.
His tenure had its highs-most notably a 10-win season in 2024-but the 2025 campaign was a different story. Syracuse stumbled to a 3-9 finish, and Robinson was demoted before ultimately moving on.
Let’s talk about that 2025 defense. On paper, the numbers were rough.
Syracuse gave up 34.9 points per game, ranking 128th out of 134 FBS teams. That’s a stat that jumps off the page-and not in a good way.
But context matters. In some games, like the lopsided loss to Notre Dame, the defense was put in impossible situations.
The Orange trailed 21-0 before the defense even had a chance to take the field, thanks to early breakdowns on offense and special teams. That kind of start makes it tough for any unit to recover.
Still, there’s no sugarcoating some of the other metrics. Syracuse ranked 123rd in red zone defense and allowed nearly 175 rushing yards per game, good for 98th nationally. Those are areas where John Scott Jr. will be expected to bring immediate improvement.
Looking ahead to 2026, there’s reason for optimism. Fran Brown’s staff is starting to take shape, and it’s clear they’re not wasting time.
Vince Kehres, formerly the defensive coordinator at Toledo, has been brought in to run the defense. Syracuse has also added a new offensive line coach and landed a major recruiting win in Calvin Russell, one of the top wide receiver prospects in the country.
That’s the kind of foundational talent that can help turn things around quickly.
Elsewhere on campus:
The men’s basketball team wrapped up its non-conference schedule with a dominant 77-48 win over Stonehill. Naithan George stayed hot, dropping 22 points for the second straight game.
JJ Starling added 20, while Nate Kingz and Sadiq White Jr. each chipped in 13. The Orange now sit at 9-4 and will kick off ACC play on December 31 against-fittingly-Clemson.
On the women’s side, Syracuse is off to a blistering 11-1 start. They’ve won six in a row and are 1-0 in conference play after a win over SMU.
Next up: a showdown with Duke on December 28 at the JMA Wireless Dome. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
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So while the football program is retooling and rebuilding, there’s a lot to like about the direction things are heading in Syracuse. The staff is coming together, the recruiting trail is heating up, and across the board, the Orange are making noise.