College football icon Dwight Freeney has joined the coaching staff at Syracuse University as the director of player development. This marks Freeney’s inaugural major role within a college football coaching team, as announced by the university. Freeney shared:

“The time is now. I think that Syracuse has a lot of good things going. A great foundation and I think they need a push to be able to maintain and exceed that – that is what I hope I’m able to do. My schedule is now a lot freer than it has been in years past, so I’ll be able to help however is needed and in whatever way I can.”

Not only is Freeney a celebrated figure, but he also etched his name in history at Syracuse, setting a single-season record for sacks with 17.5 as a senior. His accolades include being a two-time first-team All-Big East and a unanimous first-team All-American, alongside finishing ninth in the Heisman Trophy voting. After an illustrious career, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Orange coach Fran Brown remarked on Freeney’s impact:

“Dwight beat all the odds. A lot of our players relate to him; he understands what they’re going through and where they want to get. There was no better guy to be able to come back and help us in player development and to develop these guys – not just as football players, but as men.”