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Syracuse football creating a Clemson-like culture in the North?

Is the 'Cuse closer to Clemson?
Sep 20, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney congratulates Syracuse Orange head coach Fran Brown after their game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard/GREENVILLE NEWS-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Sep 20, 2025; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney congratulates Syracuse Orange head coach Fran Brown after their game at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard/GREENVILLE NEWS-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

At the also men who will be successful in life beyond footballACC Kickoff, Coach Fran Brown strongly conveyed his belief in the importance of developing not only players but men who will be successful with way more than football in life. He frequently mentioned faith, relationship development, education, and choosing the right players, saying:

”You got to get the right guys. I think that it's important that I'm involved with every one of them because I have a different kind of vision and a mindset than most of the other coaches. I know what I want and what I want to see. I think you want to get closer to your faith to be able to come play with us, you have to want to get closer with your faith. You got to want to get an education, be a good person. Your heart has to want to be pure.”

Brown is working to turn Syracuse’s program around and enters the season boasting a top-30 nationally ranked class, one of the highest-rated in program history, including transfer Elijah Moore and flipping commitment of Tedarius Hughes from ACC foe Florida State.

Fran Brown was a standout high school quarterback at Camden High School in New Jersey but travelled south to play college football at Western Carolina University, only 66 miles up the road from Clemson University, and most recently before taking the head coaching job at Syracuse, he was the defensive backs coach at the University of Georgia, a mere 78 miles from Clemson.

In listening to Brown talk, it sounds familiar and much like Dabo Swinney. The difference…Coach Brown’s use of the transfer portal.

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