Head coach Fran Brown has made a number of additions this offseason which should help the Orange better contend in 2026.
The Syracuse University football program is on the verge of another exciting coaching hire this offseason, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports.
Syracuse is hiring Brandon Napoleon as a defensive backs coach, sources tell me and @chris_hummer.
The former @247Sports 30 under 30 selection was defensive pass game coordinator and DB coach at Wofford. Helped Wofford rank 4th in the FCS in scoring defense and 7th in INTs.
When the hire officially goes through, he'll be the latest in a busy offseason for head coach Fran Brown. After going 3-9 in 2025, the Orange have brought in new defensive coordinator Vince Kehres, new defensive backs coach Perry Eliano, new defensive line coach John Scott, new special teams coordinator Alex Byar, new quarterbacks coach Sean Ryan and new offensive line coach Juan Castillo. There have been other shifts as well.
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In addition to Wofford, he coached with Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State, helping lead the program to a 7-1 record in Conference USA (2024). Prior to that, he was at FCS Rhode Island in 2023 and Sacred Heart in 2022.
He played at West Virginia and Kansas Wesleyan.
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Syracuse did have that disappointing 3-9 record, but things are looking up for Brown and Co. With quarterback Steve Angeli working back from a torn Achilles and several exciting transfers coming in from the portal, the Orange should be able to contend in a wobbly Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) next season.
Miami was the best team in the ACC, advancing to the national title game, but quarterback Carson Beck is gone via graduation. Clemson and Florida State have been on the downslide, and Duke lost quarterback Darian Mensah to Miami.
Virginia and Louisville remain viable, but SU should have a chance to make up some ground.
Who Syracuse has gained in the transfer portal
(with help from cfbdepth.com)
Ahmad Miller, RB (Jackson State)
Jartavius Flounoy, DT (Georgia State)
Cole Weaver, WR (Miami of Ohio)
Ju'Juan Johnson, RB (LSU)
Chris D'Appolonia, LB (Toledo)
Elijah Moore, WR (Florida State)
Keyshawn Johnson, Edge (UT-Martin)
Dillan Fontus, DL (Maryland)
Amari Odom, QB (Kennesaw State)
Amare Snowden, DB (Toledo)
Tunmise Adeleye, DE (UNLV)
Nazir Ward, DB (Western Kentucky)
Matthew Outten, WR (Penn State)
Danny Lauter, QB (Georgetown)
Jai Eugene, DB (Western Kentucky)
Oluwafunto Akinshilo, OL (UCLA)
Also on campus
The Syracuse University women's basketball team wrapped up its regular season with a 90-65 win over Boston College on Sunday at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Orange went 29-7 and 12-6 within league play. They earned the No. 7 seed in the ACC Tournament, which begins on Tuesday.
Syracuse will play on Wednesday. Here's how the ACC Tournament bracket shapes up.
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