Fran Brown turns the tables on team, gives Syracuse players eggnog bath after explaining allergy

Syracuse head coach Fran Brown was instrumental to the Orange’s impressive turnaround season, guided them to a 10-3 overall record in his debut season. That included a convincing 52-35 victory over Washington State on Friday night in the DirecTV Holiday Bowl.

It’s just the third time the school has won 10 games since 2001. It’s also the most wins for Syracuse since 2018.

After the game, Holiday Bowl representatives were eager to dump eggnog on Brown as the winning head coach. Instead, after explaining how eggnog would inflame his egg allergy, the Orange head man flipped the script on his own team.

“I just don’t want to break out on the plane in the morning or never make it back home and be in the local hospital,” Brown explained.

Turns out Fran Brown is allergic to eggs… so he got to Eggnog his players 🤣🏆@CuseFootball | @HolidayBowl | @joeyjaws pic.twitter.com/JnMDsIJsOt

— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 28, 2024

Brown spoke with FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt on stage after the game.

“This is my first year, it means so much to me, man. Just right now, just been thinking towards the end of the game. I’m so thankful that my mother had me. She’s in heaven watching down. I just was thinking about that and just want to make sure I get a chance to say, ‘Mom, I love you and I know you’re watching down on us.’ But having the opportunity to be here means a lot,” Brown explained.

“(Syracuse AD) John Wildhack took a chance with me. He trusted in my vision that I had. Told him all the things that I thought would be able to help this program get back to where it was. And I’m just extremely thankful for the players. I just happen to coach them. But these dudes are tough, these dudes are dart, detailed, accountable, relentless, and tough. And it’s day in and day out. And I love you guys y’all. I love you all.”

Brown specifically cited the impact of senior quarterback Kyle McCord after the former Ohio State transfer shattered Deshaun Watson’s ACC single season passing yardage record with 453 yards and five touchdowns on 24-of-34 passing.

“Kyle means everything. He means everything to us. We’ve said from the beginning, I’m the head football coach. Kyle has the keys. So, Kyle was literally second in command. Right after myself,” Brown explained. “Because both sides of the ball. And special teams. All three had to like the quarterback. And he’s done an amazing job. We’re all comfortable in following him. He does the right thing, day in and day out. I mean, this kid has never been late to a class. Never missed a class. Never been late into the building.

“He just leads by example,” Brown continued. “He’s the first one in and he’s the first one out. He’s just the ultimate teammate. He’s the ultimate brother. His mom and dad, Derek and Stacey, they did an amazing job.”

Syracuse running back LeQuint Allen had 17 carries for 120 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the win, while tight end Oronde Gasden II hauled in four catches for 74 yards. Gasden is now off to the NFL to follow in the footsteps of his father, who had a very good career in the NFL and CFL.

“It’s just so many of these dudes that just leave everything out there. Like these guys are just amazing,” Brown concluded. “And we’re a great team and we’re just thankful and happy that we had the opportunity to come out here and compete in the Holiday Bowl. It was truly a blessing and thank you so much.”