Defensive back Chris Peal shared the answer in a recent chat with reporters.
Syracuse football begins the second week of preseason training camp on Monday, less than a month remaining until the 2026 season opens. As the Orange move closer to that Sept. 5 debut, head coach Fran Brown and his staff are continuing to instruct and motivate a roster filled with newcomers.
He will be banking on his returning players, too, with Chris Peal at the top of the list. Peal is projected to be one of the top players on the roster as he enters his fourth college season with the confidence of Brown behind him. Before Peal transferred to Syracuse in 2025, he played two seasons at Georgia, where Brown coached the defensive backs before taking the job with the Orange ahead of the 2024 season.
What is Fran Brown's favorite position to coach?
According to Peal, it is cornerback. Following practice on Friday, Peal was asked about Fran Brown's favorite position to coach. Peal seemed confident with his answer.
"That's his position he coaches. I feel like he will never be able to just step away from it. He loves corners, you will see him doing drills with us. Yah, he loves it so much. I feel like corners will always hold a special place in his heart."
Fran Brown's background coaching defensive backs
Before his coaching career began, Brown played cornerback at the collegiate level at both Hudson Valley Community College in upstate New York and at Western Carolina, where he was recruited by now-Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule. Following his playing career, Brown coached the cornerback position at Temple, Baylor, Rutgers and Georgia. Rhule was the head coach at Temple and Baylor when he brought Brown on board.
What does Year 3 hold for Fran Brown, Orange?
This 2026 season is the third for Brown as the head football coach of the Orange. In Brown's first season, the Orange won double-digit games (10-3) for just the third time in the past 25 seasons, including a win in the Holiday Bowl. Last season, the Orange started with a 3-1 record but lost their next eight games to finish at 3-9 and will be looking for vast improvement.
Since entering the Atlantic Coast Conference in 2013, the Orange have yet to qualify for a conference title game. In that span, Syracuse has finished over .500 just four times -- 10-3 (2018, 2025) and 7-6 (2013, 2022).
Whatever the results, Fran Brown Jr. will be along for the ride with his dad. He spent the 2024 season at FCS Saint Francis, then filled a largely special teams role at Syracuse after his transfer in 2025. Originally a linebacker, the younger Brown has transitioned to long snapper and fullback.
What's next for Brown and the Orange?
Continued preparation for the season opener and the rest of the 2026 campaign. Syracuse's schedule begins Sept. 5 when the Orange welcome FCS program New Hampshire at the JMA Wireless Dome. Kickoff is set for noon ET.
