The Syracuse Orange are turning the page on defense, and they’ve brought in a seasoned builder to lead the charge. Vince Kehres, fresh off a strong run as Toledo’s defensive coordinator, is now tasked with reshaping a Syracuse defense that struggled mightily in 2025. And from the sound of it, Kehres is already laying the foundation for a culture shift in upstate New York.
Kehres brings with him a coaching pedigree that’s hard to ignore. His roots run deep in college football, starting as a defensive end at Division III powerhouse Mount Union, where he won two national titles in the late '90s. But it’s what he did after trading in his helmet for a headset that really stands out.
At Mount Union, Kehres spent over a decade on the coaching staff, including seven years as defensive coordinator under his father, legendary head coach Larry Kehres. During that stretch, the Purple Raiders consistently fielded one of the top defenses in DIII football. And when Vince took over as head coach, the program didn’t skip a beat.
That success caught the eye of Toledo, where Kehres took the reins of the Rockets’ defense and engineered a complete turnaround. When he arrived, Toledo ranked dead last in the MAC in total defense.
By 2025, they were the conference’s gold standard, allowing just 12.2 points per game - the best mark in the MAC. That kind of transformation doesn’t happen by accident.
So what’s the blueprint? For Kehres, it starts with people - building trust, fostering relationships, and creating a unit that plays as one. His philosophy is simple but powerful: “11 is one.”
“That leads to the players trusting each other, and they believe in the vision,” Kehres said. “They believe in where they’re headed.
They believe they’re being developed and playing together, seeing guys play together and play really hard and communicate. It’s very rewarding.”
It’s a mindset that mirrors the approach of new Syracuse head coach Fran Brown, whose emphasis on culture and development was a key factor in bringing Kehres aboard. The two quickly connected on a shared vision for what this program could be - a faith-driven, player-first environment built on hard work and belief.
“I know there’s a lot of young men here that are passionate about football,” Kehres said. “But what kind of jumped out to me is, man, there’s some talent, and there’s some young talent. Having the opportunity to work with them and develop them and help them take the next step, that excited me.”
That developmental mindset was a hallmark of Kehres’ time at Toledo. In 2025 alone, nine Rockets defenders earned All-MAC honors, with four of them landing on the first team - linebacker K’Von Sherman and defensive backs Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Andre Fuller, and Braden Awls. That kind of production doesn’t just speak to talent; it speaks to a system that identifies the right players and helps them grow into difference-makers.
“You’ve got to do a great job of identifying the right guys, and then you have to have a great plan for their development,” Kehres said. “Then, they have to own their development.”
Now, he’s bringing that same formula to a Syracuse defense that’s in desperate need of a reset. The numbers from last season paint a grim picture: the Orange gave up a conference-worst 34.9 points per game, allowed 53 touchdowns, and ranked near the bottom of the ACC in takeaways and sacks. Simply put, it’s a unit that needs a new identity - and fast.
Kehres isn’t promising overnight miracles, but he is clear on what success will look like: stopping the run, winning the “money downs” (third and fourth), and playing with discipline and unity. That’s the formula he used to build a top-tier defense in the MAC, and it’s the one he’s bringing to the Dome.
And speaking of the Dome, Kehres is already looking forward to the energy that comes with playing in one of college football’s most unique environments.
“The louder that crowd is cheering on third and fourth down, the harder it is for that offense to execute,” he said. “I can’t wait to experience that.”
For a Syracuse defense that’s been searching for answers, Kehres offers more than just a new scheme - he brings a proven track record of development, a clear vision, and a belief that with the right culture, even the most struggling units can turn into something special.