OT: Syracuse HC Fran Brown on GETTING THE JOB + Trev Alberts Interview

[Knight Shift]

In case anyone cares to watch. Interesting way of getting the job. He texted the AD directly and said he wanted the job and to call him. He did not go through an agent. The AD called him back within an hour.

Fran "won the job" on the interview. That sounds familiar. Some of the content may be of interest, and bookmarked at YouTube.

They sit down with Syracuse head coach Fran Brown to discuss the text that got him his job, the obstacle he faces while on the job, and how he plans to dominate recruiting in New York, New Jersey, and beyond.

0:00 Welcome To The College Gameday Podcast
0:20 Texas A&M hires Trev Alberts as new AD
09:54 Pete reacts to Syracuse Fran Brown hire
11:24 How Fran Brown got the Syracuse HC job
25:00 How Brown’s NJ roots influence Syracuse’s program
34:00 Brown addresses recruiting against Big Ten & SEC teams
49:00 It’s important to be there for players and staff
56:05 What determines success for Syracuse football
57:23 Syracuse’s Dino BBQ or Clemson’s Smokin' Pig?

​

 

[Knight Shift]

Gives props to Greg Schiano at 25:55 on being detailed and thorough, also Matt Rhule, Kirby Smart, Steve Addazzio and Rod Carey.

34 new guys on Roster, 19 are from NJ. He plans to dominate and recruit NJ and NYC.

 

[CollegeAve]

i think you're looking for https://syracusefan.com/

 

[Knight Shift]

i think you're looking for https://syracusefan.com/

Nope. It pays to listen to someone who learned under Greg Schiano, praises him and talks about how he and Syracuse plan to recruit NYC and NJ and Pa.

 

[RU_DIO]

Nope. It pays to listen to someone who learned under Greg Schiano, praises him and talks about how he and Syracuse plan to recruit NYC and NJ and Pa.

I'm not sure Greg likes him.

 

[Knight Shift]

I'm not sure Greg likes him.

That's Greg's choice, and he may have his reasons. Fran may be a PITA with NJ and NY recruits.

 

[RU_DIO]

That's Greg's choice, and he may have his reasons. Fran may be a PITA with NJ and NY recruits.

He definitely is reeling in some of the players we prioritize.

 

[vic_torre42]

i think you're looking for https://syracusefan.com/

I could go without seeing Syracuse Football publicity here too.

-vic

 

[Knight Shift]

I could go without seeing Syracuse Football publicity here too.

-vic

If you think it's publicity, you are not paying attention. Whatever. Your loss if you don't listen how he says he is going to recruit against Rutgers in NJ and NYC.

 

[krup]

No doubt there will be an initial bump in Syracuse’s performance due to the upgrade in talent. However, I am not worried long term about them as a competitor to Rutgers until one huge hurdle is cleared.

Brown is unquestionably elite as a recruiter, but not one program thought it worth giving him a DC job in the last few years to get (or keep in RU’s case) the benefit of that recruiting?

To me that speaks volumes about how people judge his actual coaching based on what he has shown as an assistant.

 

[RUPete]

If you think it's publicity, you are not paying attention. Whatever. Your loss if you don't listen how he says he is going to recruit against Rutgers in NJ and NYC.

The 10-5 equation with us and Syracuse is important and can be a barometer for the success of each program. 10-5 meaning that when we flipped the tables on Cuse back in the day we started getting in the neighborhood of 10 of NJ's top 25-30 recruits vs. 5, It was the opposite when they were having success. These are just rough numbers, but I think the point is clear.

Now, it may not be as relevant as it once was now that we're in the portal/NIL era, but you still need to recruit your territories effectively to establish a foundation in the program.

 

[DJ Spanky]

i think you're looking for https://syracusefan.com/

I could go without seeing Syracuse Football publicity here too.

I don't see the issue. This is a former Rutgers coach who is now the HC at a regional school in competition with us for recruits. It pays to know your enemies.

 

[Mr_Twister]

No doubt there will be an initial bump in Syracuse’s performance due to the upgrade in talent. However, I am not worried long term about them as a competitor to Rutgers until one huge hurdle is cleared.

Brown is unquestionably elite as a recruiter, but not one program thought it worth giving him a DC job in the last few years to get (or keep in RU’s case) the benefit of that recruiting?

To me that speaks volumes about how people judge his actual coaching based on what he has shown as an assistant.

What’s the chestnut about the Jimmy’s and Joe’s?

 

[miker183]

I dont see Fran Brown as a long term problem.

If he succeeds, a job better than Syracuse will come calling.

 

[DJ Spanky]

What’s the chestnut about the Jimmy’s and Joe’s?

Are you referring to Fran Brown bringing Duce Chestnut back to Syracuse?

 

[Knight Shift]

No doubt there will be an initial bump in Syracuse’s performance due to the upgrade in talent. However, I am not worried long term about them as a competitor to Rutgers until one huge hurdle is cleared.

Brown is unquestionably elite as a recruiter, but not one program thought it worth giving him a DC job in the last few years to get (or keep in RU’s case) the benefit of that recruiting?

To me that speaks volumes about how people judge his actual coaching based on what he has shown as an assistant.

Very fair take. Plus, his time will be consumed by NIL stuff, and this may take away from his recruiting time. Hiring solid coordinators and position coaches will be key to him succeeding.

 

[Knight Shift]

Are you referring to Fran Brown bringing Duce Chestnut back to Syracuse?

Rumor from Subway is they had to drop a deuce to get Duce to come back. That's nuts, isn't it?

 

[kupuna133]

Fran will get plenty of guys. He can be a problem if we allow him to be. We need to take care of business.

 

[LotusAggressor]

We're doomed.

 

[rutgersdave]

Looking at 2025, Rutgers has the #5 and #17 NJ commit with #4 warm for Rutgers. Penn State has quite a few recruits, #6 and #18, and more interested in them. No one cares about Syracuse, they offered #25 and #14 but he committed to Georgia. Last year was different since many of his recruits were recruited to Texas A&M or Georgia where he and assistants spend Over a year knowing the players.

Numerous DePaul players on the list.

 

[krup]

What’s the chestnut about the Jimmy’s and Joe’s?

I must have missed Texas dominating the CFP with their great recruiting over the last 10-20 years.

 

[WhoRU?]

Texas A&M and Colorado tried something similar. One big difference for Syracuse next year is that their schedule isn't strong. It was even weaker before they had to pick up both Stanford and Cal. I think the only guy on their staff with head coaching experience is Nunzio. If they can get the team to gel and come up with reasonable game plans, they could make noise next year. If they flop (like A&M) donors aren't going to keep paying for the talent. How long do we think Fran has? I'm thinking two years.

 

[RU-Kidding]

Fran will get plenty of guys. He can be a problem if we allow him to be. We need to take care of business.

We need him to take more of these type prospects - lol... Apparently, Cuse has recently received verbals from a few "Power 4" reaches. His last 3 verbals for the class of 2024 per Rivals network appear to be:

1) 0 stars - OL Codie Hornsby portal x-fer via Grambling and Delaware State
2) 0 stars - Athlete Malachi James via Burlington , NJ
3) 0 stars - OL Travis Brown-Miller via Teaneck, NJ

 

[kupuna133]

We need him to take more of these type prospects - lol... Apparently, Cuse has recently received verbals from a few "Power 4" reaches. His last 3 verbals for the class of 2024 per Rivals network appear to be:

1) 0 stars - OL Codie Hornsby portal x-fer via Grambling and Delaware State
2) 0 stars - Athlete Malachi James via Burlington , NJ
3) 0 stars - OL Travis Brown-Miller via Teaneck, NJ

Fran is an incredible salesman and has tremendous contacts in the northeast. And now being at UGA for a couple years has developed relationships down there. I am not saying he will be having top 10 recruiting classes but he will get some that we want. There will always be reaches. We just have to make sure there are more reches than 4 stars. Only thing we can do is not make him relevant. We need to hold serve and win both on field and on the trail.

 

[jerzeyguy]

We need him to take more of these type prospects - lol... Apparently, Cuse has recently received verbals from a few "Power 4" reaches. His last 3 verbals for the class of 2024 per Rivals network appear to be:

1) 0 stars - OL Codie Hornsby portal x-fer via Grambling and Delaware State
2) 0 stars - Athlete Malachi James via Burlington , NJ
3) 0 stars - OL Travis Brown-Miller via Teaneck, NJ

How about 2025 - 4 star commit, Sharlandiin Strange. Notice he visited Rutgers 6 times. But committed to Syracuse.. Should Fran take more of prospects like him too?

 

[Caliknight]

It's going to be an epic disaster. Unfortunately for them there are these things called games where you have to coach.

Social media program.

 

[MADHAT1]

Brown is a good recruiter and expect him to find a way to sell the Orange to NJ HS players, he knows the territory and has interacted with NJ HS coaches.
He'll get the NJ talent that wants to play out of state and contend for some that might stay home for family reasons by pointing out Syracuse isn't across the country and family could make some of the games because it is 4 to 5 hours away if they drive
and motel rates aren't that expensive so family could stay overnight and a getting together before family heads home would be possible.

That's this year, if Fran doesn't win right away he won't be picking up the players from Jersey like some claim he's doing now and Jersey talent that wants to go out of state won't be looking towards Syracuse if Brown doesn't win right away.

I think Jeff Hafley was supposed to have brought in a lot of Jersey talent his first BC recruiting class, but as the years went on his poaching Jersey HS talent fell off
Jeff also was well connected with the NJ HS scene and was also considered a good/great recruiter, but when his program didn't prove to be a top 25 one, top Jersey talent, that RU was after as well, wasn't as easy to get.

Brown wins, he'll get Jersey talent, Fran doesn't look as good as first thought, top NJ HS talent won't be easy to get and if RU keeps improving Fran will only get the ones RU doesn't go hot and heavy after

 

[rutgersdave]

How about 2025 - 4 star commit, Sharlandiin Strange. Notice he visited Rutgers 6 times. But committed to Syracuse.. Should Fran take more of prospects like him too?

Pennsylvania recruit or more like a Philadelphia recruit 3 star on other site. I wouldn’t worry about Schiano getting defensive players, he always will have a good defense, I worry about offensive players.

Penn State dominating Pennsylvania recruiting and even with Rutgers in NJ. Penn State is who we need to worry about not Syracuse.

 

[mikemarc1]

I'm not sure Greg likes him.

Yup. He left on pretty bad terms. No love lost between the two that’s for certain.

 

[kupuna133]

It's going to be an epic disaster. Unfortunately for them there are these things called games where you have to coach.

Social media program.

This in a nutshell. He has a bunch of recruiters but not much experienced credentialed coaches.

 

[Caliknight]

Fran was a desperation hire. No other school would look at him as a HC.

He's a recruiter. And a very below average at best coach. The HC role requires a lot more than recruiting chops. That's more the assistants job.

He's in way over his head. But let's be real. You hire a guy like Fran when you have no viable options. Long shot, but their only shot.

 

[Mr_Twister]

I must have missed Texas dominating the CFP with their great recruiting over the last 10-20 years.

Texas’s standard for success is different from our’s.

 

[RU-Kidding]

How about 2025 - 4 star commit, Sharlandiin Strange. Notice he visited Rutgers 6 times. But committed to Syracuse.. Should Fran take more of prospects like him too?

Frankly no one cares about 2025 yet until the LOIs are signed next December or later. There's a 2024 season to be played, games to be coached additional recruiting and verbals/decommittments to take place and a few transfer portal windows yet to open before the 2025 season is even a thought.

However, since you brought it up, how about Four-star edge Darren Ikinnagbon from Hillside, a top-300 national prospect a prospect in the 2025 class who visited Rutgers and Syracuse during January and later disclosed his top eight choices?? The Orange, unfortunately, didn't even make his top 8 ( in effect, he told Fran to pound salt).

Although no guarantee (and maybe unlikely) that Rrutgers will get the nod here, the eight schools still under consideration for Ikinnagbon are impressive ( Georgia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Duke, Tennessee, Ohio State and Penn State).

Bottom line- the traditional powers will still cherry pick who they want from the tri-state area to some extent (including Fran-less Georgia) and the remaining prospects will be up for grabs. Perhaps one reason Rutgers has expanded their recruiting grounds in recent years.

 

[jerzeyguy]

Frankly no one cares about 2025 yet until the LOIs are signed next December or later. There's a 2024 season to be played, games to be coached additional recruiting and verbals/decommittments to take place and a few transfer portal windows yet to open before the 2025 season is even a thought.

However, since you brought it up, how about Four-star edge Darren Ikinnagbon from Hillside, a top-300 national prospect a prospect in the 2025 class who visited Rutgers and Syracuse during January and later disclosed his top eight choices?? The Orange, unfortunately, didn't even make his top 8 ( in effect, he told Fran to pound salt).

Although no guarantee (and maybe unlikely) that Rrutgers will get the nod here, the eight schools still under consideration for Ikinnagbon are impressive ( Georgia, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Rutgers, Duke, Tennessee, Ohio State and Penn State).

Bottom line- the traditional powers will still cherry pick who they want from the tri-state area to some extent (including Fran-less Georgia) and the remaining prospects will be up for grabs. Perhaps one reason Rutgers has expanded their recruiting grounds in recent years.

Indeed

 

[jerzeyguy]

Yup. He left on pretty bad terms. No love lost between the two that’s for certain.

Interesting. I wonder if Fran is so confident, because he doesn't see Greg as a real threat. He obviously wants to build his program up, by stacking up Jersey talent. And he doesn't see Schiano as someone who can get in his way

 

[rutgersdave]

Interesting. I wonder if Fran is so confident, because he doesn't see Greg as a real threat. He obviously wants to build his program up, by stacking up Jersey talent. And he doesn't see Schiano as someone who can get in his way

You’re stupid.

 

[Mr_Twister]

Fran‘s team will never be nationally significant even if his recruiting owns the northeast.

 

[MADHAT1]

Fran‘s team will never be nationally significant even if his recruiting owns the northeast.

Syracuse's day is over Fran is just a hail mary hire because he can recruit.
He'll bring some good ones in at first , but if he doesn't win quickly talent then will be as hard to find as Dino found out.
Both coordinators are doing it on their own now, they were co coordinators before
never the man and Fran never was in charge of the D by himself, was co SC at Temple
for 1 year before going to RU as a DB coach.
So besides Brown having to prove he can handle HC duties his coordinators need to prove they are good enough to do their jobs without a partner
Syracuse is rolling some inexperienced dice and hoping not to crap out

 

[RUTBAY1]

Rutgers DBs vastly underperformed under the tutelage of Brown. He can recruit but I think the question is can he coach?

 

[MADHAT1]

Rutgers DBs vastly underperformed under the tutelage of Brown. He can recruit but I think the question is can he coach?

Brown worked under two HCs that were darn good DB coaches at one time.
Greg and Kirby