Georgia defensive backs coach Fran Brown has emerged as the top candidate for Syracuse’s head coaching position, according to a report.

That’s per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman, who notes that Brown has ties to the area as a New Jersey native. Brown attended Camden High School in Camden, New Jersey. His coaching career also includes stints at Rutgers and Temple.

Brown is in his second season on Georgia’s coaching staff. He previously served as the defensive backs coach at Rutgers before being hired by Kirby Smart ahead of the 2022 season.

Brown would replace Dino Babers, who coached at Syracuse for nearly 8 seasons before he was fired earlier this month. The Orange are set to play in a bowl game after getting to 6 wins with a victory in Week 13.

Other coaches such as former Florida and Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen have been linked to the Syracuse job. However, Mullen said Monday that he was no longer a candidate for the job.

An official announcement by the school has not yet been made.