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 beat the Los Angeles Rams, 31-27, in the NFC Championship. The Pats and Seahawks will face off in Super Bowl LX on Sunday, Feb. 8, in Santa Clara, California.
Syracuse University alumni on the Patriots include offensive line coach Doug Marrone, who was an offensive lineman for SU and later became the Orange head coach from 2009 to 2012. He went on to be head coach for the Buffalo Bills and Jacksonville Jaguars for two seasons each, then served as offensive line coach for the University of Alabama in 2021 and with the New Orleans Saints from 2022 to 2023.
After spending 2024 as a senior analyst for Boston College’s football strategy/research team, he returned to the NFL this season as the Patriots O-line coach under head coach Mike Vrabel.
New England Patriots offensive line coach Doug Marrone looks on before the NFL preseason game between the New England Patriots and Minnesota Vikings on August 16th, 2025, in Minneapolis, MN. (Photo by Bailey Hillesheim/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
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The Patriots’ roster also includes former Syracuse quarterback Tommy DeVito, a.k.a. “Tommy Cutlets.” DeVito, who played college ball for both Syracuse and Illinois, became a backup QB to breakout star Drake Maye after two years with the New York Giants, becoming a fan favorite when he briefly became a starter.
He recently starred in a Progressive Insurance commercial as a “backup” for multiple real-life situations, such as replacing a dad in family photos. He did not play any snaps in 2025, his first season with New England.
“LFGGGGGG,” DeVito wrote in an Instagram Story after the Patriots’ victory Sunday.
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Justin Outten, a former Syracuse center who began his coaching career as a graduate assistant with 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 during the 2025 season, led by RB Kenneth Walker III’s 1,027 yards.
Seattle Seahawks run game specialist/assistant offensive line coach Justin Outten walks the sideline before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Seahawks defeated the Jaguars 20-12. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)AP
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And former Syracuse wide receiver Courtney Jackson is on the Seahawks’ practice squad. He was at SU from 2019-2022 before transferring to Arkansas State for two seasons. After not being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, he spent preseason with the Broncos and then signed with the Seahawks’ practice squad in August.
Jackson has not seen any playing time yet, but would still be eligible for a Super Bowl ring if Seattle wins the NFL championship.
Syracuse Orange wide receiver Courtney Jackson (85) cruises in after a punt return against Boston College at the Carrier Dome in this 2021 file photo. Dennis Nett | dnett@syracuse.com
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Super Bowl 2026 will kick off Sunday, Feb. 8, at 6:30 p.m. in Levi’s Stadium, the home of the San Francisco 49ers. The game will air on NBC.