Syracuse Defense Poised for Improvement under New DC Vince Kehres

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Following Syracuse football practice on Friday, new defensive coordinator Vince Kehres spoke to the media about what he is seeing from his unit, what he likes about the players on his side of the football and why they are playing so well. 

Who is Vince Kehres?

The 50-year-old Kehres joins Syracuse after spending the past five seasons as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Toledo. Before his time with the Rockets, Kehres served as a coordinator and eventual head coach at Division III powerhouse Mount Union in Alliance, Ohio, from 2000-19 Kehres was a part of the Division III traditional powerhouse Mount Union. From the final seven seasons, Kehres served as the head coach of the Purple Raiders, leading the school to two national championships.

Kehres is the son of College Football Hall of Fame member Larry Kehres. Vince Kehres became the head coach of Mount Union following his father's retirement, and he departed to take a job on the staff of Jason Candle at Toledo. Now the first-year head coach at UConn, Candle was a Mount Union assistant before taking over with the Rockets. 

How did Vince Kehres end up with Syracuse football?

Kehres joined the Orange staff this past December, following the Orange's 3-9 season in 2025. Elijah Robinson served as the Orange's defensive coordinator last season before being demoted to defensive line coach after the hiring of Kehres. Less than two weeks later, Robinson left the program for a defensive line coaching position at Texas A&M. 

How did Syracuse football's defense play in 2025?

The Orange struggled on defense in 2025. 

Of the 134 teams that competed at the FBS level last season, Syracuse's total defense ranked 125th giving up 427.7 yards per game, joining Rutgers (126th, 432.8 ypg) and Boston College (127th, 433.2 ypg) as the Power 4 programs with the worst defenses in the nation.

Syracuse's scoring defense ranked even lower. The Orange gave up an average of 34.92 points per game, ranking last among the Power 4 teams and 128th in the nation.

And how did Kehres' Toledo rank on the FBS scale?

Scoring defense: Fourth, 13.31 points per game, behind Ohio State, national champion Indiana and Texas Tech.

Total defense: Second, 254.3 yards per game, behind only Ohio State (219.1 ypg).

What does Kehres like about 2026 defense?

"I like the depth we have on the defensive line right now. Between the new guys we brought in from the transfer portal, some young guys who played a little bit last year that are kind of taking the next step here, and some new guys who are freshmen coming in, I think we have some pretty solid depth on the defensive line," Kehres said Friday.

When does the Orange defense debut?

Syracuse opens the season Sept. 5 at the JMA Wireless Dome against FCS program New Hampshire. Kickoff is set for noon.

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