At the ACC Football Kickoff in Charlotte, the Syracuse Orange gathered to confront the reality of a 3‑9 record from the previous season and to outline the path toward a rebound.
Coaching Philosophy
Coach Fran Brown took the podium to stress that depth at quarterback and a flexible coaching philosophy would be cornerstones of the team's revival, explaining that having reliable backups allows the starter to play without fear and that each player will be molded by a tailored approach rather than a one‑size‑fits‑all system.
Quarterback Steve Angeli, entering his second year as the starter, said he feels prepared to shoulder the responsibility and is focused on becoming a more vocal leader in the locker room.
Defensive standouts Antoine Deslauriers and Demetres Samuel, Jr. echoed the sentiment, noting that new defensive coordinator Vince Kehres is encouraging a more aggressive, turnover‑driven scheme.
Fit and Commitment
Both Deslauriers and Samuel highlighted that they were pursued by other programs but ultimately chose Syracuse because the fit felt right, and they praised the new defensive philosophy for freeing them to attack the ball more aggressively.
Samuel even made a light‑hearted remark about his physical strength compared to Brown, underscoring the camaraderie and confidence within the group. Brown concluded by stating that the combination of experienced leadership, a revamped defensive outlook, and a commitment to player development could translate into a significant jump in performance when the season begins.