Linebackers come find Fran
Syracuse Orange Head Coach Fran Brown made an appearance on ESPN Syracuse yesterday to discuss Trebor Pena’s departure and other items.
Brown confirmed that Pena’s main reason for leaving was money and that Brown wasn’t willing to match an offer that Pena’s representatives had received.
Fran Brown on Trebor Pena’s decision to enter the transfer portal:
“First off I love the kid…. We paid him enough, he was going to get paid more… There was some numbers that was asked of me that I didn’t think we’d be able to do.”
— Cuse Sports Talk (@CuseSportsTalk_) April 16, 2025
Brown said he’s not paying anyone $2 million this year, adding that he doesn’t think a player should make more than a coordinator, and that only “that dude at Ohio State (Jeremiah Smith)” should be asking for that kind of money. Brown shared that Pena expressed concerns about new starter RIckie Collins and whether or not it would hurt Pena’s pro prospects if he didn’t have a proven signal-caller delivering him the ball.
“ ‘How you know Rickie gonna be good? He’s super talented but like, would he be good next year and not this year?’ ” Brown said.
“That ain’t your freaking job to be thinking that. I ain’t got time for you to be doing all that stuff. … When they start trying to do your job and think too much, you’ve got to go. It’s no point in them being there.”
Brown said he encouraged Pena to take the better offer, saying he believes in Jeff Nixon’s offense and that players can step up to fill the production. It’s clear that Brown’s program is going to be demanding, but that ultimately he’s going to have his players back even as they depart the program.
During the interview, Brown said he expects more departures and that it’s the nature of college sports. He said that’s a testament to the depth Syracuse is building and he also pointed out that the coaches are helping some walk-ons find a scholarship opportunity at another school.
The Orange head coach also said that Pena leaving provides opportunities for other receivers to step up and prove themselves. He said he’s looking at portal options, especially linebacker, and also pointed out that the Orange would add a quarterback with Michael Johnson’s departure.
Here’s the full interview from ESPN Syracuse