A disappointing Syracuse football season that ended with losses in each of the team's final eight games also will result in multiple changes to the coaching staff, FootballScoop has learned.
Fran Brown, now entering his third season atop the program after a 10-win debut in 2024, is making changes on both defense and offense, sources tell FootballScoop.
The Orange are parting ways with special teams coordinator Ricky Brumfield, offensive line coach Dale Williams, defensive backs coach Joe Schaefer and co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Robert Wright.
Among the veteran-most members of Brown's staffs in 2024-25, Williams helped produce a staunch offensive line in '24 before the regression this season. Williams arrived at Syracuse after serving seven consecutive seasons under Jeff Brohm -- the first six at Purdue and then a year at Louisville as a senior quality control coach.
Brumfield had Atlantic Coast Conference experience before joining the Orange staff, working two years at Georgia Tech immediately preceding his arrival at Syracuse.
Schaefer had worked with linebackers at Texas A&M for a couple of seasons under Jimbo Fisher and also had previously been on Matt Campbell's Iowa State staff; prior to those ventures he had already garnered defensive coordinator experience at FCS program Youngstown State.
Wright had previously coordinator experience before he was hired to join Brown's inaugural staff, having orchestrated Buffalo's defense in 2023. He also coached with Schaefer at Texas A&M and previously was on staff at Illinois.
Syracuse, which finished 3-9 after a 3-1 start and was beset by injuries that saw 15 players listed out in the finale against Boston College,
The Orange closed their season with the nation's No. 128 scoring defense at 34.9 points per game -- worst among all Power Conference programs; they were 125th in total defense at 427.7 yards per game, beating out only Rutgers among P-4 teams.
Additionally, Syracuse -- with injuries to prized NCAA Transfer Portal quarterback addition Steve Angeli in the fourth week of the season and other injuries at the position -- finished with the nation's No. 116 scoring offense at 20.2 ppg. The Orange finished 104th in total offense at 340 ypg.
Brown's program honored 24 seniors in Saturday's ending loss to Boston College, and Syracuse faces significant roster needs heading into the coming weeks in addition to impending staff changes.
Wednesday marks the opening of the NCAA's early signing period for 2026 recruits.
The sport's new calendar for the transfer portal does not allow student-athletes to formally enter into the system and begin officially visiting and or signing with a new program until Jan. 2, 2026. The single-window transfer session is open from Jan. 2-16, 2026.
Syracuse opens its 2026 season at home Sept. 5 against FCS program New Hampshire. The Orange also host Notre Dame next year and have Atlantic Coast Conference games against Clemson, Louisville, SMU, North Carolin and Pitt, among others.