Syracuse head coach Fran Brown was upset with wide receiver Trebor Pena after he requested more NIL money and expressed concern about the Orange's quarterback situation prior to entering the transfer portal.

"We paid him enough," Brown told "Cuse Sports Talk" on Wednesday. "He was going to get paid more. ... But there were some numbers that were asked to me that I didn't feel I would be able to do and move on. Of course, I treated him right. I took care of him, done everything that was needed. I just said, 'Yo, you've got to go.'"

Brown added, "A lot of times people think the grass greener on the other side, and then they get there and they find out it was turf."

Pena left the program Tuesday ahead of the spring transfer window, which opened Wednesday. The 6-foot, 184-pound wideout led Syracuse with 84 receptions for 941 yards and nine touchdowns last season.

While Brown praised Pena for his talent and production, he doesn't believe that the wideout was focused on leading a young Syracuse team next season.

"He's about him, to make sure he can do well because this is his last (year)," Brown said.

Brown also lamented Pena's desire for a raise after a strong 2024 season, saying that only Ohio State star Jeremiah Smith is worthy of a lofty salary at the college level.

"Sometimes people be asking for an outrageous number," Brown added. "You not about to make more than every coordinator. ... If you're going to make $2 million at wide receiver, that's the little homie over at Ohio State. Ain't nobody else making that money. (I'm not) giving no wide receiver no $2 million in college. Nah, that ain't me."

Brown was also miffed after Pena questioned whether LSU transfer quarterback Rickie Collins was ready to assume the starting role next season.

"That ain't your freaking job to be thinking that," Brown said. "I ain't got time for you to be doing all that stuff."

He added, "When they start trying to do your job and think too much and all, you've got to go. It's no point in them being there."

Brown guided the Orange to a 10-3 record in his head coaching debut last year. Syracuse earned double-digit wins for the first time since 2018 after defeating Washington State 52-35 in the Holiday Bowl.