John F. Meehan, 1920-24
Head Coach
All-Time Record at SU: 35-8-4 (.744)
After paying his dues as a field coach under SU coaching great Frank O'Neill, John F. Meehan ran with the opportunity to take the Orange into the 1920's. Meehan's teams were characterized by masterful offense and hard-hitting defense. His 1923 team allowed a stunning 19 points all season; the Orange scored at least 19 in five of the season's nine games. The average score of a Syracuse game during that year, based on points scored and allowed per game, was 26-2.
While in The Salt City, Meehan coached Hall of Fame center Joe Alexander during his senior year of 1920. At the end of the season, Alexander was selected as an All-American for the third time in his career. Meehan also coached Roy D. Simmons, Sr., an accomplished lacrosse player and boxer in addition to football. Simmons joined the coaching staff immediately following graduation and became an important coach of the 1959 National Championshiop team. Meehan's final season included the 200th win in program history when it beat Boston College at Archbold Stadium, 10-0.
Of the eight SU football coaches who have coached at least 40 games, Meehan owns the highest winning percentage. He left Syracuse for New York University after becoming the first head coach in SU football history to post consecutive eight-win seasons (1923-24).
Year
Won
Lost
Tied
1920
6
2
1
1921
7
2
0
1922
6
1
2
1923
8
1
0
1924
8
2
1
Career
35
8
4
