Fran Brown named Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant National Coach of the Week
Following Syracuse's upset win over Clemson, SU head coach Fran Brown earned the Bear Bryant National Coach of the Week award. Leonardo Eriman | Photo Editor
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Syracuse head coach Fran Brown has been named the Paul “Bear” Bryant National Coach of the Week, which was announced Tuesday.
The recognition comes after the Orange cruised to their first-ever win in Death Valley, a commanding 34-21 victory over Clemson. The Tigers, which opened the 2025 season as the nation’s fourth-ranked team, have since fallen out of the Associated Press Top 25 Poll with a 1-3 record.
Despite Syracuse being called an underdog, Brown and his squad didn’t “care what Vegas said.” The Orange recorded 435 total scrimmage yards, while their defense, led by Devin Grant’s 10 tackles, stifled Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik and Co. into a 3-for-13 mark on third downs, two turnovers and just two redzone trips.
Though victorious, the Orange lost starting quarterback Steve Angeli for the remainder of the season with a torn Achilles. LSU transfer Rickie Collins will be thrust into the starting role after completing 3-of-8 passes following Angeli’s injury.
National recognition is nothing new for Brown. The second-year head coach was named the Bear Bryant Newcomer Coach of the Year last season after leading SU to a 10-3 record, the program’s first time notching double-digit wins since 2018. Through 17 games as the Orange’s head coach, Brown holds a 13-4 record, tied for the second-most wins to that point among Syracuse’s 31 head coaches.
