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Syracuse is reportedly hiring Georgia Tech associate head coach Ricky Brumfield as its new special teams coordinator, ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg reported Thursday. Brumfield is set to replace former SU special teams coordinator James Vollono, whose exit was announced two days after Syracuse’s 2024 season ended. Vollono was in the role for one season.

Brumfield spent the last two seasons with the Yellow Jackets, serving as their special teams coordinator and associate head coach for special teams. In 2023, Brumfield oversaw a special teams unit that featured freshman kicker Aidan Birr making 17-of-19 field goals. Birr was named a Freshman All-American under Brumfield’s watch.

This past season, the Orange faced Brumfield’s special teams group with Georgia Tech on Sept. 7, 2024. Though SU escaped victorious over GT, its special teams unit was dreadful against Brumfield’s. Syracuse had a kick blocked, a punt blocked, a free kick that sailed out of bounds and a failed onside kick recovery in its worst special teams game of the season.

Special teams were an issue throughout the season for the Orange. Their three placekickers (Brady Denaburg, Jadyn Oh and Jackson Kennedy) combined for a measly 13-of-22 mark on field goals. SU’s overall special teams unit was ranked as the 24th-worst group in the country, per Pro Football Focus.

Brumfield brings a wealth of experience to help fix Syracuse’s special teams. His career spans over two decades and includes stops at Virginia (2018-19), Western Kentucky (2013-15) and Nicholls State (2011-12) as its respective special teams coordinators. Brumfield also has NFL experience as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills and Tennessee Titans.

Brumfield got his start in college football as a wide receiver at Utah State from 1994-98. His coaching career began in 2001 as the special teams coordinator for Union College in Kentucky.

Published on January 23, 2025 at 6:38 pm

Contact Cooper at: ccandrew@syr.edu | @cooper_andrews