Syracuse, NY —Fran Brown doing his Herb Brooks impression, the offensive targets that stand out to Kyle McCord and Paul Pasqualoni’s daughter thinks of entering the family business
Those were just some of the best things I heard at Syracuse football spring practice on Thursday.
Head Coach Fran Brown
Brown wasn’t happy with his offensive line at practice on Thursday and spent considerable time working them hard at practice yelling things like “entitlement will not live here!” It reminded me of the scene from the movie “Miracle” where Herb Brooks tells USA Hockey to do a skating drill “again!” over and over.
This video thread below from X will demonstrate that.
*Warning* There is some adult language in this thread.
Quarterback Kyle McCord
On where he sees improvement over the course of spring practice:
“I think the level of intensity at practice has been raised a lot, which is good. Really good competition between the offense and defense. Getting timing down and communication was a big piece of it. I think right now we are getting to a point where it is rolling and things are pretty smooth but with room for improvement.”
On the type of pedigree he brings from a high-level program like Ohio State:
“Coach Fran coming from a similar program at Georgia, he has brought that same kind of mindset and same kind of pedigree over here. Usually when a new head coach comes in, the older players leave and he guys who play go to a different school and they bring in younger guys. This team, you look around and there are a lot of guys with experience. A lot of guys that have won games. I think that level of play, that standard, is still that high. Coach Fran has enforced that.”
On the offensive players that have stood out to him:
“Zeed (Haynes) has been really good. Treb (Trevor Pena) has been really good. He’s been a veteran guy who surprised me, he knows a lot of football. He understands leverages and stuff that like. Dan Villari has really come around too. This is his first real offseason of him as a tight end. To see his growth from practice one has been great.”
OL Coach Dale Williams:
On the motivation of playing time:
“They all know I could pull you out at any second. I think to be better you need competition. With that being said, I have to create it. How do I create it? You screw up, I’m going to pull you out. Life doesn’t work that way. You screw up something at work, the guy you work for gets on you. That’s what I’m trying to teach the kids. It’s not OK to consistently screw up and be rewarded. The greatest motivator is your ass is on the bench. The bench transmits a signal to your ass, which then transmits a signal to your brain. All of a sudden, it’s a great process because then you play better. I think the bench is a great motivator.
Cami Pasqualoni
Pasqualoni is the daughter of former Syracuse head coach Paul Pasqualoni and is now on the Syracuse staff as a recruiting intern.
On following her father’s footsteps into football:
“It’s been incredible. All I really have here is memories, do you know? So seeing people come in, especially a lot of the alumni, and hearing what they have to say and bringing back the good times with my dad has been really exciting. And (former Syracuse assistant) George DeLeone as well who was a big part of my family and my godfather, so that’s been exciting.”
“I saw how much he was gone, so that it was always a little bit hard, but it also gave me a love and passion for it. I saw how much it brought to my family. For him, my dad came from a family on a farm and it (football) gave him everything, and our family, everything. I’ve seen what it can do. I just love the sport.”
On Fran Brown’s recruiting efforts:
“Recruiting is on a roll here. It doesn’t stop. It’s 24/7. It’s been really exciting to see. Its non-stop. High-level recruits are coming in, so we’re excited.”
Contact Brent Axe: Email | X | Voicemail 315-552-1964
