Fran Brown emerges as top target for Syracuse head coaching job, per report

As the college football coaching carousel continues to turn, more names are getting thrown into the mix for coaching vacancies across the country. And the vacancy at an ACC program might claim a Georgia Bulldogs coach to be the next headman of their program.

According to Fox’s Bruce Feldman, Georgia’s defensive back, Fran Brown, is being targeted by Syracuse Orange for their head coaching vacancy.

“SOURCES: Georgia DB coach Fran Brown, a New Jersey native, has emerged as the top target for the Syracuse head coaching vacancy,” wrote Feldman via X.

Brown has been with Georgia for the past two seasons, from 2022 to now. Prior to joining the Bulldogs coaching staff under head coach Kirby Smart, he spent two years with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights as their defensive back coach. If Brown ends up being offered and accepting the job, it will be his first head coaching opportunity.

From the outside looking in, Brown has much to like as a potential head coaching candidate. Since joining the program in 2022, he has been front and center for the Bulldogs’ 27-0 winning streak. Not only that, but he has been a huge part in developing Georgia’s talented defensive secondary, which has produced NFL talent in defensive backs Kelee Ringo and Christopher Smith already. And with Brown being around for last year’s run, he also brings with him an understanding of what it takes to win a national championship.

This season, Brown’s secondary and the Georgia defense ranks in the top 20, No. 12, of college football in pass defense. The Bulldogs have allowed just 176.5 yards per game through the air and have also pulled down 12 interceptions. Both the average of 176.5 yards per game and the 12 interceptions lead the SEC conference in both statistical categories.

Syracuse is currently on a quest to replace former head coach Dino Babers, who has been orchestrating the program for the last eight seasons. Babers is being let go following an underwhelming season with the Orange, as they finished 2023 5-6 under the former head coach and 1-6 in conference play. Syracuse was able to pick up a win in their final game of the season against Wake Forest, beating the Demon Deacons 35-31.

Whether or not Brown decides to accept the head coaching position at Syracuse remains to be seen. However, the Georgia defensive backs coach will be faced with a tough question to answer: does he stay at Georgia, one of the premier programs in all of college football, and assist Smart in winning multiple championships? Or does he take over a program such as Syracuse and begin to create his own legacy?