After an intense 10-day search, the Syracuse Orange football program has found its 31st head coach. Fran Brown, a Camden, New Jersey native, has been chosen to lead the team, bringing with him an impressive resume and a strong reputation.

The news was first reported by 247Sports' Matt Zenitz, and was later confirmed by Syracuse Athletics through a press release at 5pm. Brown emerged as the top choice after meeting with a five-person committee, which included former NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, Syracuse administrators Herm Frazier and Torrey Ball, who played under former head coach Doug Marrone.

Brown has spent the last two seasons as the Defensive Backs Coordinator for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he played a crucial role in building one of the nation's best defenses. Under his guidance, Georgia won the 2022-23 National Championship and has maintained a dominant defense that is allowing less than 180 yards of passing per game this season. The Bulldogs are currently riding a remarkable 29-game winning streak.

Prior to his stint at Georgia, Brown served as the secondary coach at Rutgers, working alongside interim head coach Nunzio Campanile. He has also held assistant positions on the defensive staffs at Temple and Baylor.

With his deep ties to the northeast, Brown is well-positioned to excel in regional recruiting battles. He previously recruited three 2020 draft picks from New Jersey, including cornerback Harrison Hand and linebackers Shaun Bradley and Chapelle Russell. Brown's success extends beyond the northeast as well. He has made significant recruiting contributions in the DMV (Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia) and Southeast regions.

Although Brown has no experience calling plays, it is expected that the offensive coordinator will handle those duties initially. There are also questions about whether he can replicate his recent recruiting success in the highly competitive southern recruiting landscape.

Nonetheless, the announcement of Fran Brown as the new head coach brings a sense of relief and excitement to Syracuse University. With the whirlwind of speculation surrounding other potential candidates, fans and players alike are eager to hear Brown's vision for the Orange and see how he will lead the team into the future.

The hiring of Fran Brown reflects the university's commitment to finding a coach with strong connections to the northeast region and a track record of success. Syracuse fans can now look forward to a new era under the guidance of their 31st head coach.

Welcome to Syracuse, Fran!