Don Brown - Football Coach - University of Massachusetts Athletics

Don Brown

Title:
Football Head Coach

Highly respected football coach and iconic defensive mind Don Brown returned to the University of Massachusetts football program for his second stint as head coach on November 22, 2021, and the 2024 season marks Brown’s third season back in Amherst.

Brown, who previously led the Minutemen to the winningest five-year stretch in program history from 2004 to 2008, is known for his aggressive and blitz-heavy attack on defense and has nearly 47 years of coaching experience to his credit.

Last season, Brown ushered in the next steps for the program as the Minutemen posted three wins against the nation’s 44th-toughest schedule including road triumphs at New Mexico State and at Army. It was the first time since 2018 that UMass posted at least three wins in a season and the first time since 2015 the team posted multiple road victories.

The continued year-two growth under Brown was keyed by progress on offense, with the Minutemen improving to 23.2 points per game in 2023, which marked over 85 percent improvement from the season before. Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams rushed for 1,157 yards on 236 attempts and 12 touchdowns. Lynch-Adams became the second UMass player (behind Ellis Merriweather) to achieve 1,000-plus rushing yards in a season in the FBS era, and first player with Brown at the helm.

At the conclusion of the 2023 season, 10 of Brown’s players were placed on Phil Steele’s 2023 Postseason All-Independent Conference Team, including Lynch-Adams (First Team RB), Anthony Simpson (First Team WR), Cole Garcia (First Team OG), Gino Campiotti (Second Team TE), Josh Atwood (Second Team C), Billy Wooden (First Team DT), JB Brown (Second Team DE), Tyler Rudolph (Second Team S), Greg Desrosiers Jr. (Second Team KR) and Ethan Dumont (Second Team LS).

In his first season back at UMass, the Spencer, Massachusetts, native began his rebuild by turning the 130th-ranked defense into the 55th-ranked defense in FBS. Following the 2022 season, seven of his players were named to Phil Steele's 2022 Postseason All-Independent Conference Team, including Merriweather (Second Team RB), Josiah Johnson (Second Team TE), Jalen Mackie (First Team LB), Jordan Mahoney (First Team CB), Marcus Cushnie (Second Team DE), Rudolph (Second Team S) and Desrosiers Jr. (Second Team KR). Merriweather went on to sign with the New Orleans Saints following the NFL Draft and also spent time on the Green Bay Packers’ practice squad throughout the year.

Before returning to Massachusetts, Brown spent the previous 13 years guiding defenses at Maryland, Connecticut, Boston College, Michigan and the University of Arizona, where he served as the Wildcats' defensive coordinator during the 2021 season.

While at Michigan, the Wolverines finished among the top-12 units in the nation in total defense from 2016-2019, which included a No. 1 ranking in 2016. Under Brown's watch, the Wolverines led the country in pass defense twice, once in 2016 again in 2017. Michigan made 16 top-25 appearances in total defense, scoring defense, rush defense, and pass defense during the 2016-2019 stretch.

During his time with Michigan, Brown's student-athletes earned 49 All-Big Ten recognitions, with 43-of-44 starters earning all-conference honors as well as 10 players that picked up 14 first team nods.

Prior to his four years in Ann Arbor, Brown spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Boston College where he was known for the team's defensive overhaul that brought the squad to two bowl games in three seasons; a matchup with Arizona in the AdvoCare Independence Bowl in 2013 and the Pinstripe Bowl in 2014 against Penn State. The Eagles' ranked No. 92 in total defense the year prior to Brown's arrival and under his leadership earned two top-12 finishes in 2014 and 2015. That 2015 unit led the nation in total defense allowing only 254.3 yards per game. Brown spent one season at the University of Connecticut and the 2009 and 2010 campaigns at the University of Maryland before making his way to Boston College.

Before his tenure as a Power Five defensive coordinator, Brown served as the head coach at Massachusetts (2004-08), Northeastern (2000-03), and Plymouth State (1993-95) where he compiled a career record of 94-45. Brown amassed a combined five conference championships and six playoff appearances during his time at those three institutions. During his first stint at UMass, he led the Minutemen to a 43-19 record in what was the winningest period in program history.

Over the last decade, 29 defensive players who played under Brown have been selected in the NFL Draft. After the total overhaul of the Boston College defense, Brown was tabbed as the American Football Coaches Association, Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015. Brown was a five-time nominee and a finalist in 2016 for the Broyles Award, annually awarded to the nation's top assistant coach.

In 1992, Brown served as the interim head baseball coach at Yale where he led the team to a 26-10 record and an NCAA Tournament bid.

Brown played four years as a running back at Norwich University and lettered for two seasons as a member of the Men's Basketball team. He earned his bachelor's degree in physical education from NU in 1977.

Brown and his wife Deborah have four children and 10 grandchildren.

DON BROWN COACHING HISTORY
Massachusetts – (2021-current)
Arizona – Defensive Coordinator (2021)
Michigan – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (2016-20)
Boston College – Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers (2013-15)
Connecticut – Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks (2011-12)
Maryland – Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks (2009-10)
Massachusetts – Head Coach (2004-08)
Northeastern – Head Coach (2000-03)
Massachusetts – Defensive Coordinator (1998-99)
Brown – Defensive Coordinator (1996-97)
Plymouth State – Head Coach (1993-95)
Yale – Defensive Coordinator (1987-92)
Dartmouth – Defensive Coordinator (1984-86)
Mansfield University – Defensive Coordinator (1983)
Dartmouth – Assistant Coach (1982)
Hartford High School – Assistant Coach (1977-82)

DON BROWN AWARDS & HONORS
2019: Broyles Award nominee
2018: Broyles Award nominee
2017: Broyles Award nominee
2016: Broyles Award finalist
2015: Broyles Award nominee
2015: AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year
2014: Broyles Award nominee
2013: Broyles Award nominee
2006: AFCE Region I Coach of the Year
2006: Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year
2006: New England Football Coach of the Year
2002: New England Football Coach of the Year
2002: Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year
1995: AFCA District I Coach of the Year
1994: AFCA District I Coach of the Year
1993: AFCA District I Coach of the Year