Syracuse’s Fran Brown named 2024 Bear Bryant Newcomer Coach of the Year

Syracuse University head football coach Fran Brown has been named the recipient of the 2024 Paul “Bear” Bryant Newcomer Coach of the Year Award, recognizing his outstanding success in his first season as a Division I FBS head coach. Brown will be honored during the 2025 Bear Bryant Awards on January 22.

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After taking over as Syracuse’s 31st head coach on November 28, 2023, Brown wasted no time in revitalizing the program. Under his leadership, the Orange achieved a 10-win season, their first since 2018, and finished ranked in all major polls. Syracuse notched three victories over top-25 teams and defeated nine bowl-eligible opponents, culminating in a DIRECTV Holiday Bowl victory over Washington State.

Syracuse’s high-powered offense under Brown was among the nation’s most prolific, led by quarterback Kyle McCord, a top-10 Heisman Trophy finisher, and tight end Oronde Gadsden II, an AP All-American. Additionally, 12 Syracuse players earned All-ACC honors, further highlighting Brown’s immediate impact.

Before arriving in Syracuse, Brown was a key assistant at the University of Georgia, where the Bulldogs posted a 27-1 record over two seasons and captured the 2022 national championship. He was widely regarded as the nation’s No. 1 recruiter for the 2024 recruiting class, having landed multiple five-star prospects.

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Brown’s coaching journey also includes stops at Temple University and Baylor University, where he specialized in coaching defensive backs and served as Temple’s co-defensive coordinator in 2019.

With a historic debut season and national recognition, Brown has established himself as one of college football’s rising stars, and his leadership is poised to keep Syracuse competitive on the national stage for years to come.