Former Syracuse DE Dwight Freeney will join SU’s football staff
Former Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney will join Fran Brown’s staff for the 2025 season, syracuse.com reported Friday. Joe Zhao | Design Editor
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Former Syracuse defensive end Dwight Freeney will join Fran Brown’s coaching staff, Syracuse.com reported Friday. Freeney will work in player development in SU’s football program.
Freeney played with the Orange from 1998 to 2001, becoming one of their best defenders in program history. He totaled 34.0 sacks, which ranks second in program history, while accumulating 50.5 tackles for loss over his four-year career. His No. 54 was retired last season during SU’s game against Georgia Tech.
His success at Syracuse culminated in him being the No. 11 overall pick in the 2002 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. He continued his dominance in the NFL, playing 16 years and finishing with 125.5 sacks. Freeney was then inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s 2024 class.
Freeney’s addition to Brown’s staff boosts Syracuse’s recruiting abilities. Brown has already reeled in 35 commits in the 2025 class, which ranks 60th in the country, per 247Sports. He’s continued his efforts for the 2026 class, which sits 10th-best in the nation.
SU is looking to build off one of its best seasons in recent memory after going 10-3 and defeating Washington State in the Holiday Bowl, its first bowl win since 2018. Freeney’s role helping to attract players, along with the Orange’s already strong recruiting classes, can help continue that success in the future.
