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Don Brown Named UMass Football Defensive Coordinator

Whipple's former defensive coordinator at Brown follows coach to UMass.

December 22, 1997

AMHERST, Mass. - Don Brown has been named the new defensive coordinator for the University of Massachusetts football team, it was announced today by Head Coach Mark Whipple. Brown joins the UMass staff after serving for two years as the defensive coordinator at Brown University under Whipple.

During his two-year stint at Brown, he helped mold the Bears defense into one of the top units in the Ivy League. Last year, Brown held opponents to just 194 total points on the season (19.4 ppg) &emdash; the fewest number of points allowed by the school in the last 10 years. Brown also set a school single season record with 28 interceptions in 1997. Senior linebacker Joe Karcutskie was a three-time All Ivy League pick and became Brown's all-time leading tackler, while senior safety Rocky Parson was one of 10 finalists for the Buck Buchanan Award (top defensive player in I-AA) after leading the nation in interceptions (1.0 int/game).

Before joining the Brown staff, he served as the head coach at Plymouth State College (Division III) from 1993-95. In his three years at Plymouth State, Brown guided the Panthers to a 25-6 overall mark, including two straight undefeated regular seasons, NCAA Division III Playoff appearances and Freedom Football Conference titles. He was tabbed the Freedom Football Conference Coach of the Year during all three seasons at Plymouth State. Brown also earned Regional Coach of the Year honors by the American Football Coaches Association in 1994.

"Don's combination of head coaching responsibilities for a Division III playoff team and being an experienced I-AA defensive coordinator makes him a perfect fit to lead our defense and help our team reach its goal of making the playoffs next season," said Whipple. "Having worked together for the past two years, we share the same philosophies on what our team's defensive approach should be. This should create a smooth transition heading into the offseason and spring practice."

Prior to his arrival at Plymouth State, Brown served as the defensive coordinator at Yale from 1987-93 under Carm Cozza. He was instrumental in helping the Elis capture their last Ivy League Championship in 1989. Brown also had coaching stints at Mansfield University, Dartmouth College and Hartford (Vt.) High School.

Brown is a 1976 graduate of Norwich University, where he was an All-New England running back. A native of Spencer, Mass., he and his wife, Deborah, have four children: Echo (22), Zachariah (18), Rana (16) and Chelsea (6).

Whipple assumed the head coaching job on December 16. He will serve as his own offensive coordinator for the Minutemen.