Anytime a college football program has a new head coach, change beyond just that role is practically a given. Syracuse has learned that the hard way this afternoon.
Three players, all from the state of New Jersey, have de-commited today. Trust that this is anything but the end of the world from a recruiting-perspective.
It wouldn’t have mattered if Syracuse brought in Dan Mullen, Bob Chesney, or even Nick Saban (in some fantasy) instead of Fran Brown. Players that committed while Dino Babers was still Head Coach have probably had some second thoughts, maybe even spoke to Brown himself.
Par for the course is spot on. This is an entirely different situation than what we saw on the hardwood back in March. Even though Jim Boeheim was the Head Coach, Adrian Autry still played a major role in recruiting the likes of Elijah Moore and Donnie Freeman. Brown had been in Athens the whole time and had zero influence on those players committing to Babers’ program. If the fit isn’t there under a new leader, the fit isn’t there. It’s probably best for both parties too.
It’s also important to remember exactly who Syracuse is bringing in as Head Coach. Only a guy widely considered as one of, in many cases the, top recruiters in the country. Recruiting on the level of a Georgia with all the five-stars it attracts is an unreasonable ask, at least right out of the chute. But when he was an assistant at Temple, Baylor, and Rutgers, Brown had tremendous success in attracting four-star recruits. There’s a strong argument to be made that all of the Owls, Bears, and Scarlet Knights are or have been comparable programs to the Orange. Not saying that should be the standard with Brown in tow, but if he has recruiting success there, why can’t he have it in Central New York?
With that, panicking right now is unreasonable. Let Brown settle in and, as the kids say these days, start to cook. But, as the program starts to navigate this wave of the transfer portal, you want to see some success on that front. It comes down to 1) keeping the LeQuint Allens, Dan Villaris, and Derek McDonalds of the world among others and 2) replacing guys like Marlowe Wax who could either run out of eligibility or declare for the draft. If we get to April and things are looking dull when it comes to attracting new talent from the portal and high school players, then we press the panic button. Not right now though.
Change is inevitable, especially in this day and age of college football. Whenever a new head coach enters the equation, it becomes even more so. But as long as Brown bounces back from them like fans and SU Athletics should expect him to, all will be right in the world.
