After a tough 3-9 season in 2025, Syracuse head coach Fran Brown is already laying the groundwork for a turnaround - and he's leaning on some elite-level insight to do it. Brown recently shared that he had a half-hour conversation with none other than Nick Saban during the offseason, and the advice he got from the legendary coach could help shape the direction of the Orange program moving forward.
Speaking on 'Cuse Sports Talk earlier this week, Brown opened up about the conversation and what it meant to him. “There’s nothing like being able to self-examine,” Brown said.
“When people are coming and saying things that you may need to fix, it’s like, ‘Yeah, I was right about that. I’m on point with that.’”
That kind of self-awareness is key for any coach trying to rebuild a program, and Brown’s willingness to seek out feedback - especially from someone like Saban - shows he’s serious about getting this right. According to Brown, Saban didn’t hold back. He gave him a mix of encouragement and direct advice, highlighting the things Brown already does well and emphasizing the importance of staying hands-on in those areas.
One of the biggest takeaways? Recruiting.
Saban told Brown to keep doing what he does best - bringing in talent - and not to delegate that part of the job. “Make sure I do the recruiting, that I bring the guys in, that I’m on top of that,” Brown said.
“Then allow the coaches to coach, allow them to coach their players, allow them to put the scheme in and understand it - but make sure I know the scheme, because if it doesn’t fit what I want, then we have to change it.”
That’s a telling quote. Brown is carving out a clear identity for himself as a CEO-style head coach - the kind who builds the roster, sets the tone, and lets his assistants handle the Xs and Os.
It’s a model that’s worked for some of the best in the game, including guys like Andy Reid and Tony Dungy. But it also means Brown has to nail his hires.
If he’s going to delegate, he needs a staff he can trust to execute at a high level.
And that’s exactly what he’s been working on this offseason.
A New-Look Staff for 2026
Brown hasn’t wasted time reshaping his coaching staff. The changes started with a shakeup on the defensive side. Elijah Robinson, who had been serving as defensive coordinator, was reassigned to defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator before ultimately leaving for a position at Texas A&M.
From there, the Orange brought in some new faces:
- Vince Kehres has been hired as the new defensive coordinator. Kehres brings a strong defensive pedigree and will be tasked with turning around a unit that struggled throughout 2025.
- Perry Eliano joins as the defensive backs coach, bringing experience and energy to a secondary that needs both.
- John Scott takes over the defensive line after a stint at Florida State. He’ll be a key figure in developing Syracuse’s front four, especially in the trenches of ACC play.
On offense, there’s been movement as well. Former quarterbacks coach Nunzio Campanile left to become the offensive coordinator at UConn, opening the door for more restructuring.
- Juan Castillo, a veteran coach with NFL experience, has been brought in to lead the offensive line. His arrival could be a major boost for a unit that needs to be far more consistent in both pass protection and run blocking.
All told, it’s a significant overhaul - and one that reflects Brown’s vision of building a staff that can coach, teach, and develop players while he focuses on recruiting and big-picture leadership.
The Road Ahead
It’s clear Brown is taking a long-term approach. He’s not pretending the 3-9 mark in 2025 didn’t happen - instead, he’s using it as a learning experience, and he’s leaning on some of the best minds in football to help him grow from it. Conversations with someone like Saban aren’t just about Xs and Os - they’re about leadership, structure, and building a sustainable program.
If Brown can combine his recruiting chops with a staff that can coach at a high level, Syracuse could be headed in the right direction. It won’t happen overnight, but the foundation is being laid - and the Orange have a head coach who’s not afraid to ask questions, seek advice, and evolve. That’s a good place to start.