Four former Syracuse football coaches and players are headed to the Super Bowl for the first time in their careers.
The New England Patriots defeated the Denver Broncos 10-7 in the AFC Championship on Sunday and the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Los Angeles Rams 31-27 in the NFC Championship. The Pats and Seahawks will face off in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, February 8 in Santa Clara, California.
The Syracuse University alumni on the Patriots include the offensive line coach Doug Brownwho was the offensive lineman for SU and later became the head coach of the Orange from 2009 to 2012. He then was the head coach of the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars for two seasons each before serving as the offensive line coach at the University of Alabama in 2021 and the New Orleans Saints from 2022 to 2023.
After spending 2024 as the lead analyst for Boston College’s football strategy/research staff, he returned to the NFL this season as the Patriots O-line coach under head coach Mike Vrabel.
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The Patriots roster also includes a former Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVitoaka “Tommy Cutlets”. DeVito, who played college ball for both Syracuse and Illinois, became the backup QB to breakout star Drake May after two years with the New York Giants and became a fan favorite when he briefly became the starter.
He recently played Advertising for progressive insurance as a “back-up” for more real-life situations, such as replacing the father in family photos. He did not play any snaps in 2025, his first season in New England.
“LFGGGGGG,” DeVito wrote in an Instagram story after the Patriots’ win on Sunday.
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Justin Outtenthe former Syracuse center, who began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at SU, is a run game specialist and assistant offensive line coach for the Seahawks. He joined Seattle in 2025 after stints with the Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans.
Seattle ranked 11th in rushing yards in the 2025 season, led by RB Kenneth Walker III’s 1,027 yards.
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And a former Syracuse wide receiver Courtney Jackson he is on the Seahawks practice squad. He was at SU from 2019-2022 before transferring to Arkansas State for two seasons. After going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, he spent the preseason with the Broncos before signing with the Seahawks’ practice squad in August.
Jackson has yet to see any playing time, but would still be eligible for a Super Bowl ring if Seattle wins the NFL championship.
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Super Bowl 2026 kicks off on Sunday, February 8 at 6:30pm at Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers. The game will be televised on NBC.
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