Fran Brown joins Adam Breneman for a raw, no-filter conversation about how he transformed Syracuse football in year one. From being counted out in the hiring process to creating a culture built on D.A.R.T. — detailed, accountable, relentless, tough, Fran shares what it really takes to build a program that lasts.

He opens up about his Camden roots, his journey through adversity, the lessons he learned at Georgia under Kirby Smart, and why he believes Syracuse is just getting started.

This episode is packed with real stories, not coachspeak. Fran talks NIL, leadership, recruiting, player development, and his why: family, community, and a deep belief that football can change lives. He shares the moment professors showed up to spring practice, how he approached his first meeting with the team, his raw and unfiltered recruiting philosophy, the story behind texting the AD himself to get the job, and why he still believes to this day: “none of them can beat me.”

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CHAPTERS:

0:00 - Intro

1:18 - Day 1 on the job

3:57 - Building a staff

7:14 - Process of getting the job

11:36 - Hardest moment in year 1

15:41 - D.A.R.T. Mentality

16:54 - Moment of adversity

18:56 - Why Syracuse

21:15 - Interview with Kirby Smart

22:49 - Number 1 lesson learned from Georgia

24:57 - Being a great recruiter

28:10 - Best recruiting win and loss

30:45 - Elijah Robinson

34:00 - NIL & Financial Literacy at Syracuse

42:07 - Coaching Kyle McCord

44:38 - When Coach Brown knew Syracuse was going to have a big year

45:44 - Game managing

47:10 - Overcoming adversity in coaching career

On Next Up, college football analyst Adam Breneman sits down with the most influential names in college sports and lets them tell their stories unfiltered, direct to the fans.

Next Up is a Front Office Sports Network show featuring candid, open, and honest conversations with the most impactful figures in college sports including head coaches, athletes, athletic directors, commissioners, entrepreneurs, media personalities, agents, and executives shaping the business of college sports.

Adam is a former All-American, Penn State alum and media personality. Front Office Sports is the leading multi-platform media and news organization covering the intersection of sports, business and culture.