Head football coach Fran Brown uses the life lessons football teaches to transform his Syracuse University student-athletes into men who are invested in their community and put the needs of the team above their own needs.
The Fran Brown era got off to a fantastic start when the Syracuse University football team defeated Ohio University 38-22 Saturday afternoon before a raucous crowd of students, Central New York community members and alumni of the football program inside the JMA Wireless Dome.
Since his hiring as the program’s 31st head coach on Nov. 28, 2023, Brown has been busy making his mark, bringing in a slew of talented student-athletes and coaches while focusing on once again turning the Orange into national championship contenders.
But this job is about more than football for Brown, who came to Syracuse as the nation’s top college football recruiter and a member of the 2022 College Football National Championship coaching staff with the University of Georgia. Brown uses the life lessons football teaches to transform his players into men who are invested in their community and put the needs of the team above their own needs.
Fran Brown
“Football has changed everything. It’s helped me be where I’m at today because of teamwork, because it’s bigger than just yourself. When you’re able to give it everything you’ve got, and it’s for us, not for I, then it becomes about everybody,” Brown says. “Now that I’m in the position I’m in, I can take football and I can help people literally change lives. I can be a blessing to others and to the community.”
Brown is a self-made man who came from humble beginnings in Camden, New Jersey, and football became an outlet for Brown. He excelled on the gridiron as Camden High School’s quarterback. After spending a year playing for Hudson Valley Community College, Brown was recruited to play for Western Carolina University by Matt Rhule, future head coach of the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. Brown thrived at cornerback, earning first-team All-Southern Conference honors and serving as team captain en route to earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Brown credits his coaches for helping him reach his full potential as a football player and, more importantly, as a man focused on making a difference in his community.
“My coaches were good, positive men that were teaching me the right things and wanted to see me be successful,” says Brown. “That just poured into me and has been a big influence on my coaching career. You always take all the good that everyone gives you and you want to be able to give back, to help, to push young men to go be successful in life.”
With excitement building around the Orange football team—faculty and staff are encouraged to purchase their tickets to Saturday’s Faculty and Staff Appreciation Day game vs. Georgia Tech—Brown stopped by the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast to discuss how he’s making his mark on the program, why he’s all-in on Syracuse University football and how his upbringing shaped and molded him into the leader he is today.
Check out episode 168 of the “’Cuse Conversations” podcast featuring Brown. A transcript [PDF] is also available.
Fran Brown talks with his student-athletes during Saturday’s season-opening win over Ohio University. (Photo courtesy of Syracuse University Athletics)
It was cool. It was emotional, just because of my family and getting them to have the opportunity to see me become a head coach. It’s a milestone when it comes to the entire family, my wife, my children, my siblings, my aunts and uncles. I’m extremely happy for them, and more so I’m happy for all the buildup from this community and how, since day one, we’ve gotten buy-in from the community. Everyone, the community, the staff, the faculty, the students, the alumni, everyone has been behind us. Everybody’s been open arms wanting to see us be successful. This win was for them. We deserved to start this out the right way.
There were uncontrollable nerves! I was extremely nervous, but at the same time, when you prepare like we have, it’s a little bit of anxiety and that’s a part of the game. But I knew we were prepared. I didn’t lack the preparation, so it was just about football. I’m just thankful and happy that everybody [in the JMA Dome] got to enjoy their Saturday with a win.
Fran Brown takes in the action during his first game as head coach at Syracuse University. (Photo courtesy of Syracuse University Athletics)
I’ve got to control my composure on certain things. I was still in a practice mindset. My coaching staff did a great job and I learned that I was able to trust them and let them do what they need to do. Keep the players involved, even if they’re not on the field. Just getting everyone to focus on the game. Be where your feet are. It’s mental toughness. This is bigger than just a football game. Football teaches us about life and teaches us how to take care of all those little things.
With our core values, we are DART (Detailed, Accountable, Relentless, Tough). We need to be able to live DART at all times. Are you being detailed? Accountable? Relentless? When things are going the wrong way, are you displaying toughness?
I figured out what I can give these young men, outside of trying to get them closer to their faith, that they can take with them for the rest of their lives. No matter the situation, this DART tool is going to get them in and out of some of the toughest situations in their lives. Anyone that is going to lead a business, lead a family or be successful needs to be detailed, be accountable and be able to hold others accountable and be comfortable with others holding you accountable. You’re going to have to be relentless going after what it is you want to be in life. And you should be tough. If you’re DART in everything you do, you’re probably going to be very successful.
Note: This conversation was edited for brevity and clarity.
