The Syracuse Orange made a pair of notable moves over the weekend, signaling continued evolution under new head coach Fran Brown. The biggest headline? Sean Ryan is now officially the quarterbacks coach-a hire that brings a serious NFL pedigree to the Orange sideline.
Ryan’s résumé speaks for itself. He’s spent time with the Panthers, Texans, and Dolphins, and he also worked under former Giants head coach (and Syracuse alum) Tom Coughlin.
That blend of college and pro experience gives him a unique perspective, especially when it comes to developing quarterbacks. With spring ball on the horizon, Ryan will be tasked with shaping a quarterback room that’s still finding its identity under a new regime.
His ability to translate pro-level concepts to the college game could be a major asset for Syracuse’s offense moving forward.
With Ryan now in place, Syracuse’s staff under Brown is starting to take its final form-and it’s an intriguing mix of college veterans and NFL experience. Here’s how the current coaching lineup stacks up:
- Head Coach: Fran Brown
- Offensive Coordinator/Running Backs: Jeff Nixon
- Quarterbacks: Sean Ryan
- Wide Receivers: Josh Gattis
- Tight Ends/Co-Offensive Coordinator: Michael Johnson Sr.
- Offensive Line: Juan Castillo
- Defensive Coordinator (likely Linebackers): Vince Kehres
- Defensive Line/Associate Head Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator: John Scott Jr.
- Edge: Jeremy Hawkins
- Defensive Backs: Perry Eliano
- Special Teams: Alex Bayer
That’s a staff loaded with experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, and it reflects Brown’s clear intent to bring a high-level, detail-oriented approach to every position group.
But while the coaching side is coming into focus, the roster continues to be a bit of a moving target.
Tight end Michael Smith, who had previously committed to Syracuse, reportedly had a change of heart and decided he wanted to return to South Carolina. Initially, it looked like Syracuse wasn’t going to release him from his commitment. But then, over the weekend, Smith popped up in a report that he’s now heading to Ole Miss-joining Darrell Gill and Johntay Cook in Oxford.
How exactly that move played out behind the scenes remains unclear, but it’s another reminder of just how fluid the current college football landscape has become. Between the transfer portal, NIL, and shifting rules (or lack thereof), roster management has become a year-round chess match.
Will Smith and company be catching passes from Trinidad Chambliss next season? That’s still up in the air.
And as for whether Syracuse is done adding-or losing-players? That’s anyone’s guess.
One thing’s for sure: Fran Brown and his staff are building something new in Central New York. The foundation is being laid, both on the sideline and in the locker room. Now it’s about navigating the chaos and finding the right pieces to fit the puzzle.