Syracuse Football Overhauls Coaching Staff After 3-9 Season
Following a disappointing 3-9 campaign, Syracuse has made significant coaching changes as head coach Fran Brown looks to reset the program.
- Glenn Catubig
- 3 min read
Syracuse concluded its 2025 season with a 34-12 loss to Boston College, capping a disappointing year in which the Orange finished 3-9. The loss followed a humiliating 70-7 defeat at the hands of Notre Dame, highlighting the struggles the team faced throughout the season.
Injuries played a key role in Syracuse’s decline, with starting quarterback Steve Angeli suffering a season-ending injury early in the year. The Orange were unable to recover, losing their final eight games after a promising 3-1 start that included a win over Dabo Swinney’s Clemson squad.
On Monday, Syracuse announced multiple coaching changes as part of a staff overhaul, according to On3 reporters Pete Nakos and Nick Kosko. Special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield, offensive line coach Dale Williams, defensive backs coach Joe Schaefer, and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Robert Wright were all relieved of their duties.
Fran Brown, in his second year as head coach, led the Orange to a 10-win season and a Holiday Bowl victory in 2024. However, the 2025 season was a stark contrast, underscoring the need for changes to stop the program from further decline.
1. Season Struggles and Key Losses
Syracuse began the season with a 3-1 record, including a notable win over Clemson, raising early optimism for the program. The injury to quarterback Steve Angeli, however, disrupted the team’s rhythm and contributed to a dramatic downturn. The Orange were unable to maintain competitiveness, losing the last eight games in a row. Several defeats were particularly lopsided, including five losses by 20 points or more, emphasizing the team’s struggles on both sides of the ball. The season-ending loss to Boston College was especially striking given that the Eagles had only one prior win all year, making the 34-12 defeat a particularly low point for the Orange.
2. Coaching Staff Overhaul
In response to the disappointing campaign, Syracuse has made substantial changes to its coaching staff. Special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield, offensive line coach Dale Williams, defensive backs coach Joe Schaefer, and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Robert Wright were all relieved of their duties. This move reflects head coach Fran Brown’s desire to reshape the program and address the shortcomings that led to the team’s collapse in 2025. The coaching overhaul aims to bring new energy and accountability to the program while providing a foundation for improved performance in the coming seasons.
3. Looking Ahead
Despite the rough 2025 season, Fran Brown remains in place as head coach, signaling continuity at the top of the program. The Orange now face the challenge of rebuilding morale and recruiting effectively to avoid a repeat of last year’s struggles. If Syracuse is unable to improve in 2026, pressure may mount on Brown and his staff, potentially leading to further changes. For now, the focus will be on leveraging the new coaching staff to strengthen the program and return Syracuse to competitiveness in the ACC.