SU’s wide receivers coach came straight from Foxboro
We’re just under a week away from the annual Syracuse Orange football Spring Game. Last week, we took a look at the Orange secondary. This time around, let’s examine an offensive position with a handful of offseason changes: the receiving corps.
The pass-catching group is led by Ross Douglas, who Fran Brown appointed as SU’s wide receiver’s coach back in December. Despite being 29 years old, Douglas already has an extensive coaching background. Following his collegiate career at Michigan and Rutgers, Douglas stayed with the Scarlet Knights as a graduate assistant while Brown worked with the defensive backs. He most recently worked with the New England Patriots for three seasons.
Alongside future Hall of Fame coach Bill Belichick, Douglas initially served as New England’s defensive quality control coach in 2021. He was promoted to assistant WRs coach in 2022 and became the head receiving coach last year.
“I did everything with [Belichick] and he taught me a lot of football. The lessons I learned from him are endless. I’m trying to apply them here everyday,” Douglas said.
.@RossDoug21 bringing the juice to the receiver room ️ pic.twitter.com/ajs4U8JpNw
— Syracuse Football (@CuseFootball) April 11, 2024
The Ohio native inherits a much different receiver’s room than a year ago. Damien Alford was dismissed from the team after leading the Orange with 610 receiving yards last season, and Isaiah Jones (third in receiving) transferred to New Mexico. Georgia transfers Yazeed Haynes and Jackson Meeks followed Brown to SU. The Orange also landed 2024 four-star receiver Emmanuel Ross. That’s in addition to returning players Trebor Pena, Umari Hatcher and Darrell Gill Jr.
“We’ve got a good mix of old guys and young guys with something to prove. We’re just out here every day trying to get better,” Douglas said.
Douglas noted that the approach to collegiate receivers is similar to that of National Football League players. Plus, he has a little more fun teaching college ball by lacing up his own cleats for team practices.
“He’s out there doing the drills with us. I’ve never seen a coach do that before. It’s like he still could be out there practicing with us today,” Pena said.
Orange fans can see Douglas and all the receivers in action this Saturday, April 20. Kickoff is at 7:00 p.m. from the JMA Wireless Dome.