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Syracuse special teams coordinator James Vollono isn’t expected to return to the Orange for the 2025 season, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported Sunday. SU’s unit finished last in the Atlantic Coast Conference in field goal percentage and 110th in their overall Pro Football Focus grade.

Vollono joined Fran Brown’s staff in January 2024, coming over from Troy. He served on the Trojans’ staff for two seasons following a brief stint with the Edmonton Elks of the Canadian Football League. He also worked at Georgia and FIU.

In his lone season with the Orange, Vollono’s unit was consistently a glaring weakness of SU’s roster. Shuffling between three kickers, SU went 13-for-22 on field goal attempts. The 59% mark ranked dead last in the conference.

Mishaps began in a tight game against then-No. 23 Georgia Tech. As the Yellow Jackets began to storm back, an onside kick attempt was mishandled by the Orange, allowing GT another crack at scoring. A Brady Denaburg field goal attempt and Jack Stonehouse punt were also both blocked in the game.

Even in SU’s blowout victories, its special teams struggled. Versus Holy Cross, Syracuse missed three field goals to initially keep the game within reach.

Against then-No. 25 UNLV, two punts were blocked, including one that was returned for a touchdown. Postgame, Brown said he planned to “call some guys” he trusts to help fix the issue.

“They’re young kids. (Vollono is) a great football coach that’s done a good job for a long time,” Brown added postgame. “Maybe it’s me. Maybe I need to do something to put them in better situations.”

The Orange cleaned up most of their special teams struggles throughout the second half of the season. However, in the Holiday Bowl, a two-point try failed, a punt was blocked and run back for a touchdown and a 39-yard chip shot was missed. Syracuse also allowed 132 kick return yards to the Cougars, handing its defense hard field position throughout the game.

Vollono is the first reported change to Syracuse’s coaching staff this offseason. The move comes just two days after the Orange clinched their first bowl win since 2018 and third 10-win season this century.

Published on December 29, 2024 at 11:39 pm

Contact Aiden at: amstepan@syr.edu | @AidenStepansky