Coach’s Ritual After Losses: Syracuse’s Fran Brown Talks About His Unconventional Approach
Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown has gone viral after revealing a unique ritual he follows after his team’s losses. Following a defeat to Boston College on November 9, 2024, Brown shared his approach to handling losses, explaining that he refuses to shower immediately after the game. Instead, he spends time reflecting on the loss and holds himself accountable.
“Honestly, I’ve got a ritual when we lose,” the 42-year-old coach said during a press conference on November 11. “I didn’t even get into the shower until earlier this morning. I just be mad, brush my teeth. It’s like, ‘I don’t deserve soap. I don’t deserve to do all that.’ I’m just focused on trying to get back and make sure that our players mentally understand that I let them down.”
A Personal Reflection After Defeat
Rather than immediately washing off the disappointment of a loss, Brown spends time reflecting on the game. “I wake up all night,” he confessed. “Especially when we lose. I wake up like, ‘Damn, that really happened that way.’ And then I just move on.” His ritual even extends to his home life, where he refuses to sleep in the bed if the team has lost. “I’m just mad. I just sit there and brush my teeth,” Brown added. “I feel like I have to do that so y’all won’t say my breath stinks.”
A Unique Mindset for a Head Coach
Brown’s approach to post-game reflection speaks to his deep commitment to both personal accountability and his team’s success. While he eventually showers and refreshes, he emphasized that he feels he must earn the right to do so after a loss. “Winners get washed and losers just have to wait a little bit,” he stated, underlining his mindset that hard work and accountability are essential.
This mentality is a central part of Brown’s coaching philosophy. As Syracuse’s first-year head coach, he has been instilling a “Detailed, Accountable, Relentless, and Tough” mindset, which he shared in a November 6 Instagram post, showcasing the core values he’s working to develop in his players.
Syracuse’s Season Outlook
Despite a few losses, Syracuse’s season is still very much in play, with upcoming matchups against the California Golden Bears on November 16, and home games against UConn and Miami to close the season. Fans have shown their support for Brown, with some humorously encouraging the team to win for the sake of his shower habits. “Syracuse, you have to win, for Fran’s wife’s sake,” one fan wrote on social media. Another added, “Fran, it’s OK, you can get in the shower.”
Commitment and Accountability
While Brown’s unconventional habits might raise a few eyebrows, there’s no denying the dedication he has to both his team and his role as a leader. His commitment to accountability, even in such personal matters, highlights his determination to set an example for his players. Regardless of his post-loss rituals, Fran Brown’s approach to coaching remains rooted in discipline and a fierce commitment to success.
