Football
Reynolds, Vinson
Vinson Reynolds
- Title:
- Defensive Line
- Email:
- vdreynol@syr.edu
- Phone:
- 6731
A dynamic recruiter and teacher, Vinson Reynolds was named the Orange’s defensive line coach in January 2016. He coached the defensive tackles exclusively from 2017-19 before assuming responsibility for leading the entire unit again in 2020.
Reynolds’ work with Syracuse’s trenchmen has been a primary factor in the Orange’s rise to becoming one of the most disruptive defenses in college football. Syracuse has 56 takeaways the past two seasons (2.2 per game) and owns a +22 turnover margin over that span. The Orange are one of two FBS teams (Arizona State is other) to rank in the top 15 in average turnover margin in both 2018 and 2019. Syracuse was fifth in 2018 (+1.0) and No. 13 in 2019 (+0.75).
When Reynolds arrived at Syracuse in 2016, he molded a young defensive line that featured future NFL Draft selection Chris Slayton and two freshman starters at defensive end. The results showed the following season, as his group of interior linemen contributed to a Syracuse defense that allowed 6.4 fewer points, 28.3 fewer rushing yards and 57.1 fewer total yards per game than the year before.
The growth continued in 2018. Syracuse ranked in the top 10 nationally in five defensive categories, including turnovers gained (3rd - 31), fumbles recovered (5th - 13) and sacks (6th - 3.31 per game). The performance helped spur the Orange to a 10-3 record and a Camping World Bowl victory over West Virginia. Slayton flourished as the anchor of the front seven. He earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl after the season and was drafted by the New York Giants.
In 2019, Syracuse led the ACC and ranked 11th nationally with 12 fumble recoveries. Reynolds protégé Kenneth Ruff recovered two loose footballs to tie for team-high honors.
In 2021, 'Cuse ranked third in the ACC and 16th nationally with over six sacks per game. Cody Roscoe was selected to the All-ACC First Team, while Josh Black earned honorable mention honors.
During his time with the Orange, Reynolds has also made his mark on the recruiting trail. He has used his Midwest connections to open a pipeline to Syracuse, particularly from the state of Michigan. He also served as the primary recruiting coach for ESPN 300 quarterback Tommy DeVito.
Reynolds joined the Orange after serving as the defensive line coach at Western Michigan from 2013-15. At WMU, he was part of a staff that engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in FBS history. Reynolds and the WMU coaches transformed the Broncos from a 1-11 team in 2012 into a program that earned consecutive bowl berths in 2014 and 2015. The 2015 Broncos were 8-5 and defeated Middle Tennessee 45-31 in the Bahamas Bowl, the first bowl victory in school history.
In 2014, Reynolds directed a Western Michigan defensive line that recorded 17 of the team’s 29 sacks. The unit was part of a Bronco defense that finished third in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in points allowed per game. Reynolds also was recognized for his recruiting prowess that year. Rivals.com named him to its list of the top 10 recruiters from schools outside the Power Five and American Athletic Conference (formerly known as the Big Six). That year Reynolds helped solidify, what was at the time, the website’s highest ranked class (No. 58) in MAC history.
Prior to his stint in Kalamazoo, Reynolds mentored the defensive linemen at Central Michigan where he helped the Chippewas to a win over Western Kentucky in the 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The group included Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills defensive end Leterrius Walton, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Before making the move to CMU, Reynolds was the defensive line coach at Central Oklahoma in 2010. He also previously worked as a graduate assistant and defensive quality control coach at Oklahoma State for head coach Mike Gundy. Oklahoma State made appearances in the 2008 Holiday Bowl and 2010 Cotton Bowl while Reynolds was on the OSU staff.
Reynolds started his coaching career in 2006 as the defensive line coach at Division III University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
In addition to his collegiate experience, Reynolds has completed two NFL internships. In 2015, he gained critical coaching skills and perspective with the Baltimore Ravens under John Harbaugh. During the summer of 2016, Reynolds worked with head coach Chuck Pagano and the staff of the Indianapolis Colts.
A Detroit, Michigan native, Reynolds played his college football at Northern Illinois from 2000-03. He was named to the All-MAC First Team at defensive end as a senior after totaling 76 tackles, including 15 for a loss, and six sacks.
Reynolds earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois in 2004. He received his master’s degree in adult education from Wisconsin-Platteville in 2007.
Reynolds and his wife, Cynthia, have three sons – Eric Coley, Josiah Reynolds and Jeremiah Reynolds. Eric Coley is a redshirt junior defensive back for the Orange.
THE REYNOLDS FILE
Experience: 15th season/5th at Syracuse
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
Alma Mater: Northern Illinois '04
Family: wife, Cynthia; sons, Eric Coley, Josiah Reynolds and Jeremiah Reynolds
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Northern Illinois (2000-03)
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2008 Holiday Bowl
2010 Cotton Bowl
2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
2015 Bahamas Bowl
2018 Camping World Bowl
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
Central Michigan
Leterrius Walton (Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills)
Western Michigan
Richard Ash (Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Commanders - AAF, Dallas Renegades - XFL)
Keion Adams (Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants)
Syracuse
Cody Roscoe (First Team All-ACC)
Chris Slayton (New York Giants)
Reynolds’ work with Syracuse’s trenchmen has been a primary factor in the Orange’s rise to becoming one of the most disruptive defenses in college football. Syracuse has 56 takeaways the past two seasons (2.2 per game) and owns a +22 turnover margin over that span. The Orange are one of two FBS teams (Arizona State is other) to rank in the top 15 in average turnover margin in both 2018 and 2019. Syracuse was fifth in 2018 (+1.0) and No. 13 in 2019 (+0.75).
When Reynolds arrived at Syracuse in 2016, he molded a young defensive line that featured future NFL Draft selection Chris Slayton and two freshman starters at defensive end. The results showed the following season, as his group of interior linemen contributed to a Syracuse defense that allowed 6.4 fewer points, 28.3 fewer rushing yards and 57.1 fewer total yards per game than the year before.
The growth continued in 2018. Syracuse ranked in the top 10 nationally in five defensive categories, including turnovers gained (3rd - 31), fumbles recovered (5th - 13) and sacks (6th - 3.31 per game). The performance helped spur the Orange to a 10-3 record and a Camping World Bowl victory over West Virginia. Slayton flourished as the anchor of the front seven. He earned an invitation to the East-West Shrine Bowl after the season and was drafted by the New York Giants.
In 2019, Syracuse led the ACC and ranked 11th nationally with 12 fumble recoveries. Reynolds protégé Kenneth Ruff recovered two loose footballs to tie for team-high honors.
In 2021, 'Cuse ranked third in the ACC and 16th nationally with over six sacks per game. Cody Roscoe was selected to the All-ACC First Team, while Josh Black earned honorable mention honors.
During his time with the Orange, Reynolds has also made his mark on the recruiting trail. He has used his Midwest connections to open a pipeline to Syracuse, particularly from the state of Michigan. He also served as the primary recruiting coach for ESPN 300 quarterback Tommy DeVito.
Reynolds joined the Orange after serving as the defensive line coach at Western Michigan from 2013-15. At WMU, he was part of a staff that engineered one of the most impressive turnarounds in FBS history. Reynolds and the WMU coaches transformed the Broncos from a 1-11 team in 2012 into a program that earned consecutive bowl berths in 2014 and 2015. The 2015 Broncos were 8-5 and defeated Middle Tennessee 45-31 in the Bahamas Bowl, the first bowl victory in school history.
In 2014, Reynolds directed a Western Michigan defensive line that recorded 17 of the team’s 29 sacks. The unit was part of a Bronco defense that finished third in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) in points allowed per game. Reynolds also was recognized for his recruiting prowess that year. Rivals.com named him to its list of the top 10 recruiters from schools outside the Power Five and American Athletic Conference (formerly known as the Big Six). That year Reynolds helped solidify, what was at the time, the website’s highest ranked class (No. 58) in MAC history.
Prior to his stint in Kalamazoo, Reynolds mentored the defensive linemen at Central Michigan where he helped the Chippewas to a win over Western Kentucky in the 2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl. The group included Pittsburgh Steelers and Buffalo Bills defensive end Leterrius Walton, who was selected in the sixth round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Before making the move to CMU, Reynolds was the defensive line coach at Central Oklahoma in 2010. He also previously worked as a graduate assistant and defensive quality control coach at Oklahoma State for head coach Mike Gundy. Oklahoma State made appearances in the 2008 Holiday Bowl and 2010 Cotton Bowl while Reynolds was on the OSU staff.
Reynolds started his coaching career in 2006 as the defensive line coach at Division III University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
In addition to his collegiate experience, Reynolds has completed two NFL internships. In 2015, he gained critical coaching skills and perspective with the Baltimore Ravens under John Harbaugh. During the summer of 2016, Reynolds worked with head coach Chuck Pagano and the staff of the Indianapolis Colts.
A Detroit, Michigan native, Reynolds played his college football at Northern Illinois from 2000-03. He was named to the All-MAC First Team at defensive end as a senior after totaling 76 tackles, including 15 for a loss, and six sacks.
Reynolds earned his undergraduate degree from Northern Illinois in 2004. He received his master’s degree in adult education from Wisconsin-Platteville in 2007.
Reynolds and his wife, Cynthia, have three sons – Eric Coley, Josiah Reynolds and Jeremiah Reynolds. Eric Coley is a redshirt junior defensive back for the Orange.
THE REYNOLDS FILE
Experience: 15th season/5th at Syracuse
Hometown: Detroit, Mich.
Alma Mater: Northern Illinois '04
Family: wife, Cynthia; sons, Eric Coley, Josiah Reynolds and Jeremiah Reynolds
PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Northern Illinois (2000-03)
| COACHING LEDGER | ||
| Years | School | Position |
| 2006-07 | Wisconsin-Platteville | Defensive Line |
| 2008 | Oklahoma State | Graduate Assistant |
| 2009 | Oklahoma State | Quality Control Coach |
| 2010 | Central Oklahoma | Defensive Line |
| 2011-12 | Central Michigan | Defensive Line |
| 2013-15 | Western Michigan | Defensive Line |
| 2016 | Syracuse | Defensive Line |
| 2017-19 | Syracuse | Defensive Tackles |
| 2020-21 | Syracuse | Defensive Line |
POSTSEASON COACHING EXPERIENCE
2008 Holiday Bowl
2010 Cotton Bowl
2012 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl
2014 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl
2015 Bahamas Bowl
2018 Camping World Bowl
PROMINENT PLAYERS COACHED
Central Michigan
Leterrius Walton (Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills)
Western Michigan
Richard Ash (Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Commanders - AAF, Dallas Renegades - XFL)
Keion Adams (Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants)
Syracuse
Cody Roscoe (First Team All-ACC)
Chris Slayton (New York Giants)
Fran Brown Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, September 06
Players Postgame vs. UConn
Saturday, September 06
Syracuse Football Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, September 06
Fran Brown Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, September 06
