Coach’s Ritual After Losses: Syracuse’s Fran Brown Talks About His Unconventional Approach
Syracuse football head coach Fran Brown is going viral after sharing his unique post-loss ritual. Following his team’s defeat to Boston College on November 9, 2024, Brown opened up about his approach to handling losses, revealing that he doesn’t shower immediately after a game. Instead, he reflects 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 explained that he spends time reflecting on what went wrong during the game. “I wake up all night,” he said. “Especially when we lose. I wake up like, ‘Damn, that really happened that way.’ And then I just move on.”
Brown’s ritual also extends to his home life, where he doesn’t sleep in the bed if his team has lost. “I’m just mad. I just sit there and brush my teeth,” Brown explained. “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 unorthodox approach highlights his commitment to the team and personal accountability. He made it clear that while he eventually showers and refreshes, 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,” Brown stated.
This mentality reflects the values he emphasizes both for himself and his team. As Syracuse’s first-year head coach, Brown has been instilling a mindset of being “Detailed, Accountable, Relentless, and Tough,” as seen in his November 6 Instagram post.
Syracuse’s Season Outlook
Although Syracuse’s record currently stands at a few losses, the team is still on track to compete, with upcoming games against the California Golden Bears on November 16 and home games against UConn and Miami to close the season.
Fans have been vocal in their support of Brown, with some expressing hope that the team’s success will continue to keep him from missing any more showers. “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.”
While his unconventional post-game habits may raise some eyebrows, there’s no denying that Brown’s commitment to his team and his dedication to accountability are central to his approach as a head coach.