Speaking in a new interview with broadcaster Matt Park, Syracuse defensive coordinator Vince Kehres said he feels like he's exactly where he's supposed to be.

"...Every time I'd talk with him (head coach Fran Brown), it would re-affirm in my mind, 'this is where I'm supposed to go.' I say God has a plan for me, and I know coach Brown is a very faithful man and I think there's a reason that we're supposed to be together. I believe that."

Kehres was recently hired after a successful run as the defensive coordinator at Toledo. Syracuse recently demoted defensive coordinator Elijah Robinson, though he remains on staff, at least for now.

About Kehres

He spent six years at Toledo as the defensive coordinator and linebacker's coach. He had been at Division III Mount Union for 21 years prior to Toledo, including seven as the head coach. He won the national title in 2015 and 2017, and he made seven D-III NCAA Tournament appearances.

He is a graduate of Mount Union who won national championships as a player in both 1996 and '97.

Toledo ranked No. 3 nationally in total defense this season and No. 4 in scoring defense.

Something to think about

Toledo head coach Jason Candle just left the program as well to become the new head coach at Connecticut. It's fair to assume that Kehres could have been a candidate for that job, but rather than go for it, he comes to Central New York.

About Syracuse in 2025

The Orange are coming off a horrific 3-9 season that went sideways when quarterback Steve Angeli was hurt in the fourth game of the season. Syracuse lost eight consecutive games to end the campaign, which was a major disappointment after the 10-win season of 2024.

The offensive woes that followed Angeli's injury put both the defense and special teams units in a bind, and Syracuse's defense allowed 34.9 ppg, the seventh-worst in the nation.

Robinson was the architect of the defense in that successful 2024 season, but Brown stripped him of his command after this season's woes.

Also on campus

The Syracuse University men's basketball team is back at the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday afternoon as they take on Hofstra at 4 p.m. ET. The Orange are 6-3 and coming off a seven-point win against St. Joseph's on Thursday.

Freshman Tyler Betsey led the way with 16 points in that victory.

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