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'{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Distinguish|Donald Brown (defensive back)|Donald Brown (Canadian football)|Donald Brown (running back)|Don Brown (running back)}} {{Infobox college coach | name = Don Brown | image = | alt = | caption = | current_title = [[Defensive coordinator]] | current_team = [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]] | current_conference = [[Big Ten Conference|Big Ten]] | current_record = | contract = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1955|7|31}} | birth_place = [[Spencer, Massachusetts]] | death_date = | death_place = | alma_mater = | player_sport1 = Football | player_years2 = 1973–1976 | player_team2 = [[Norwich Cadets football|Norwich]] | player_positions = [[Running back]] | coach_sport1 = Football | coach_years2 = 1977–1982 | coach_team2 = [[Hartford High School (Vermont)|Hartford HS (VT)]] (assistant) | coach_years3 = 1982 | coach_team3 = [[Dartmouth Big Green football|Dartmouth]] (assistant) | coach_years4 = 1983 | coach_team4 = [[Mansfield Mounties football|Mansfield]] ([[Defensive coordinator|DC]]) | coach_years5 = 1984–1986 | coach_team5 = Dartmouth (DC) | coach_years6 = 1987–1992 | coach_team6 = [[Yale Bulldogs football|Yale]] (DC) | coach_years7 = 1993–1995 | coach_team7 = [[Plymouth State Panthers football|Plymouth State]] | coach_years8 = 1996–1997 | coach_team8 = [[Brown Bears football|Brown]] (DC) | coach_years9 = 1998–1999 | coach_team9 = [[UMass Minutemen football|UMass]] (DC) | coach_years10 = 2000–2003 | coach_team10 = [[Northeastern Huskies football|Northeastern]] | coach_years11 = 2004–2008 | coach_team11 = UMass | coach_years12 = 2009–2010 | coach_team12 = [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]] (DC/CB) | coach_years13 = 2011–2012 | coach_team13 = [[Connecticut Huskies football|Connecticut]] (DC/CB) | coach_years14 = 2013–2015 | coach_team14 = [[Boston College Eagles football|Boston College]] (DC/LB) | coach_years15 = 2016–2018 | coach_team15 = [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]] (DC) | coach_years16 = 2019–present | coach_team16 = [[Michigan Wolverines football|Michigan]] (DC/LB) | coach_sport17 = Baseball | coach_years18 = 1992 | coach_team18 = [[Yale Bulldogs baseball|Yale]] (interim HC) | overall_record = 95–45 (football)<br>26–10 (baseball) | bowl_record = | tournament_record = Football<br>1–2 ([[NCAA Division III Football Championship|NCAA D-III playoffs]])<br>4–3 ([[NCAA Division I Football Championship|NCAA D-I-AA/FCS playoffs]])<br><br>Baseball<br>1–2 ([[NCAA Division I Baseball Championship|NCAA D-I]]) | championships = Football<br>2 [[Freedom Football Conference|FFC]] (1994–1995)<br>1 [[Atlantic 10 Conference|A-10]] (2002)<br>2 [[Colonial Athletic Association|CAA]] (2006–2007)<br><br>Baseball<br>1 [[Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League|EIBL]] (1992) | awards = Football<br>3× [[American Football Coaches Association|AFCA]] Region I COY (1994, 2002, 2006)<br>3× [[Freedom Football Conference|Freedom Conference]] COY (1993–1995)<br>2× [[Atlantic 10]] COY (2002, 2006) | coaching_records = }} '''Don Brown''' (born July 31, 1955) is an American [[college football]] coach and former player. He is currently the [[defensive coordinator]] at the [[University of Michigan]]. Previously, he served as defensive coordinator [[Boston College]] and at the [[University of Connecticut]] and as the head football coach at [[Plymouth State University]] (1993–1995), [[Northeastern University]] (2000–2003), and the [[University of Massachusetts Amherst]] (2004–2008), compiling a career [[college football]] head coaching record of 95–45. Brown was also the interim head baseball coach at [[Yale University]] in 1992, tallying a mark of 26–10. This past season his defense boasted five first team all B1G defense/special teams players. Please quit. We don’t want you here anymore. You’re a disgrace. Sincerely, the Michigan fanbase. ==Early life and college== Brown was born in [[Spencer, Massachusetts]], where he attended [[David Prouty High School]]. He went on to play football as a [[running back]] at [[Norwich University]]. Brown graduated in 1977. In 1996, he earned a master's degree from Plymouth State University.<ref name="bio"/> ==Coaching career== ===Early positions=== Brown began his college coaching career as an assistant, first at [[Dartmouth Big Green football|Dartmouth]], which won the [[Ivy League]] conference title during his tenure, and then at [[Mansfield University of Pennsylvania]]. In 1984, he returned to Dartmouth as its defensive coordinator. In 1987, he took the same position at [[Yale Bulldogs football|Yale]].<ref name="bio"/> ===Yale baseball=== Brown was named the interim head baseball coach at Yale during the 1992 season. Brown led the Bulldogs to a 26–10 record, including a 14–4 mark in the Eastern Intercollegiate Baseball League (EIBL), the EIBL championship and a bid to the [[NCAA]] tournament. Competing in the Midwest Regional, Yale lost the opener to Clemson, before taking an elimination game against Nichols State. The Bulldogs were then eliminated by UCLA. ===Plymouth State=== In 1993, Brown assumed his first head coaching job at Plymouth State University, a [[Division III (NCAA)|Division III]] school, and he held that position for three seasons. During his last two years, he led the team to win the [[Freedom Football Conference]] championship and advanced to the Division III playoffs. Brown was named the Freedom Conference Coach of the Year all three of his seasons at Plymouth State. In 1994, he was also named the [[American Football Coaches Association]] District I Coach of the Year.<ref name="bio"/> In 1996, he took over as the defensive coordinator at Brown University, where he remained for two years. In his second season, Brown posted its best record (7–5) in 20&nbsp;years and led the nation with a school record 28 [[interception]]s and ranked second in takeaways with 36. Opponents scored an average of 19.4&nbsp;points per game.<ref name="bio"/> In 1998, Brown moved to the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) as its defensive coordinator. That year, UMass won the [[Division I-AA]] national championship. In 1999, they earned a share of the [[Atlantic 10]] championship and secured another berth in the Division I-AA playoffs.<ref name="bio"/> ===Northeastern=== From 2000 to 2003, Brown held his second head coaching job at Northeastern University. The season prior to his arrival, the Huskies finished with a 2–9 record. In 2000, Northeastern scored a 35–27 upset victory over [[Division I-A]] [[UConn Huskies football|Connecticut]]. In 2002, he led Northeastern to an 11th-place final ranking, the school's highest-ever placement. The Huskies' ten wins were also the most in school history. That season, he was named Atlantic 10 Conference Coach of the Year, New England Football Writers Coach of the Year, and American Football Coaches Association Region I Coach of the Year. In 2003, he led the Huskies to a third-place finish in the Atlantic 10, and the eight-win season matched the second-most in school history. Northeastern was the only team to record a victory against [[Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens football|Delaware]], which went on to become the Division I-AA champions.<ref name="bio"/> ===UMass=== In 2004, Brown returned to UMass to take over as its head coach. During his tenure as head coach from 2004 to 2008, UMass posted the best five-year record in school history, 43–19.<ref name="newdc"/> In his first year, he led the Minutemen to a 6–5 record, including victories over fourth-ranked [[Colgate Raiders football|Colgate]], seventh-ranked {{cfb link|team=New Hampshire Wildcats|title=New Hampshire}}, and ninth-ranked {{cfb link|team=Maine Black Bears|school=University of Maine|title=Maine}}. During 2005, Brown led UMass to a 7–2 start and a final ranking of #19. That year, the Minutemen defeated fourth-ranked [[James Madison Dukes football|James Madison]] and handed Delaware their worst home loss in two decades, 35–7.<ref name="bio"/> In 2006, Brown led Massachusetts to the Atlantic 10 conference championship and a finish as runners-up to the national championship. They ended the season ranked No. 2 with a 13–2 record. At home, he set a school record with a perfect 8–0 record in [[Warren McGuirk Alumni Stadium|McGuirk Stadium]]. That season, Brown was named the AFCA Region I Coach of the Year, Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year, and New England Football Coach of the Year.<ref name="bio"/> In 2007, UMass again won its conference as a member of the [[Colonial Athletic Association]]. The team advanced to the semifinals and finished the season with a No. 6 final ranking.<ref name="bio">[http://umassathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brown_don00.html Player Bio: Don Brown] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227043620/http://umassathletics.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/brown_don00.html |date=December 27, 2008 }}, Official University of Massachusetts Athletics Website, retrieved January 10, 2009.</ref> ===Maryland=== On January 9, 2009, the [[University of Maryland, College Park|University of Maryland]] announced the hiring of Brown as its defensive coordinator, which filled the vacancy created by the departure of [[Chris Cosh]].<ref name="newdc">[http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010909aaa.html Brown Hired As Defensive Coordinator] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119010742/http://umterps.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/010909aaa.html |date=January 19, 2009 }}, University of Maryland Terrapins Football, January 9, 2009, retrieved January 9, 2009.</ref> Maryland paid UMass a $25,000 buyout in accordance with the terms of Brown's contract.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/2009-11-09-assistants-clauses_N.htm Assistant football coaches see pay rise with unique clauses], ''USA Today'', November 10, 2009.</ref> With a dearth of experience and talent, especially on the [[offensive line]], Maryland suffered a 2–10 record during the [[2009 Maryland Terrapins football team|2009 season]].<ref name=breakingdown>Patrick Stevens, [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/28/breaking-down-why-terrapins-broke-down/ Breaking down why Terrapins broke down], ''The Washington Times'', November 28, 2009.</ref> The loss of cornerback [[Nolan Carroll]] due to a broken leg was cited as a serious detriment for the defense.<ref name=breakingdown/> The defense struggled to pressure opposing [[quarterback]]s with the implementation of Brown's aggressive, [[Blitz (gridiron football)|blitz]]-oriented scheme.<ref>[http://www.diamondbackonline.com/sports/local-recruit-has-a-change-of-heart-1.1086211 Local recruit has a 'change of heart'; Johnson decommitted from Miami to join Terps for personal reasons, according to high school coaches], ''The Diamondback'', January 25, 2010.</ref> Maryland finished tied for last in the [[Atlantic Coast Conference]] in scoring defense, allowing an average of 31.2 points per game and caused just 12&nbsp;turnovers and recorded 27&nbsp;[[quarterback sack|sacks]]. The lower than expected figures were attributed to a lack of players suited to the defensive scheme.<ref>[http://terrapintrail.com/sports/2010/07/24/five-maryland-storylines-heading-into-acc-media-day/ Five Maryland Storylines heading into ACC Media Day], ''The Diamondback'', July 24, 2010.</ref> With a year of experience in Brown's defense and a stronger secondary, the unit was expected to improve during the [[2010 Maryland Terrapins football team|2010 season]].<ref>[http://terrapintrail.com/2010/07/ Football kickaround], ''The Diamondback'', July 29, 2010.</ref> Maryland rebounded with a 9–4 record and a bowl game victory, with a markedly improved defense.<ref name=know>[http://voices.washingtonpost.com/terrapins-insider/2010/12/dc_don_brown_i_know_ive_got_a.html DC Don Brown: 'I know I've got a lot of good football in me'], ''The Washington Post'', December 23, 2010.</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' described Brown's scheme as "organized chaos" and "blitzing nearly 85 percent of the time."<ref>Eric Prisbell, "Teprs making defensive adjustments", ''The Washington Post'', D3, September 30, 2011.</ref> Highly touted junior safety [[Kenny Tate]] emerged as a playmaker, and Brown praised his play at "virtually every position on the field" as "unbelievable".<ref>Eric Prisbell, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/11/26/AR2010112602432.html For Maryland football, seven plays defined bounce-back season], ''The Washington Post'', November 26, 2010.</ref> Brown was credited with preparing the team well for the [[2010 Military Bowl]], where Maryland beat the 12th-ranked offense of [[2010 East Carolina Pirates football team|East Carolina]], 51–20.<ref>[http://espn.go.com/blog/ncfnation/post/_/id/36428/instant-analysis-maryland-51-east-carolina-20-2 Instant analysis: Maryland 51, East Carolina 20], ESPN, December 29, 2010.</ref> After the season, head coach [[Ralph Friedgen]] was fired, and Brown stated a desire to remain at Maryland on the next coaching staff.<ref name=know/> ===Connecticut=== On February 4, 2011, Brown was hired as the defensive coordinator at the University of Connecticut.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/020411aab.html|title=Don Brown Named Defensive Coordinator|website=uconnhuskies.com}}</ref> He kept that position until December 19, 2012, when he was hired to serve the same position at [[Boston College]]. ===Michigan=== On December 21, 2015, Brown was named defensive coordinator at Michigan under head coach [[Jim Harbaugh]]. Brown replaced former defensive coordinator [[D. J. Durkin]], who had departed to take the head coaching job at [[Maryland Terrapins football|Maryland]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Harbaugh Hires Brown to Coordinate U-M Defense|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/122115aaa.html|work=MGoBlue.com|publisher=CBS Interactive|accessdate=December 21, 2015|date=December 21, 2015}}</ref> ==Head coaching record== ===Football=== {{CFB Yearly Record Start|type=coach|conf=yes|bowl=yes|poll=TSN}} {{CFB Yearly Record Subhead | name = [[Plymouth State Panthers football|Plymouth State Panthers]] | conf = [[Freedom Football Conference]] | startyear = 1993 | endyear = 1995 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | year = [[1993 NCAA Division III football season|1993]] | name = Plymouth State | overall = 6–4 | conference = 5–1 | confstanding = 2nd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = conference | year = [[1994 NCAA Division III football season|1994]] | name = Plymouth State | overall = 10–1 | conference = 6–0 | confstanding = 1st | bowlname = [[NCAA Division III Football Championship|NCAA Division III Quarterfinal]] | bowloutcome = L | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = conference | year = [[1995 NCAA Division III football season|1995]] | name = Plymouth State | overall = 9–1 | conference = 7–0 | confstanding = 1st | bowlname = [[NCAA Division III Football Championship|NCAA Division III First Round]] | bowloutcome = L | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Plymouth State | overall = 25–6 | confrecord = 18–1 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subhead | name = [[Northeastern Huskies football|Northeastern Huskies]] | conf = [[Atlantic 10 Conference]] | startyear = 2000 | endyear = 2003 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | year = [[2000 NCAA Division I-AA football season|2000]] | name = Northeastern | overall = 4–7 | conference = 1–7 | confstanding = 10th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | year = [[2001 NCAA Division I-AA football season|2001]] | name = Northeastern | overall = 5–6 | conference = 4–5 | confstanding = 6th | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = conference | year = [[2002 NCAA Division I-AA football season|2002]] | name = [[2002 Northeastern Huskies football team|Northeastern]] | overall = 10–3 | conference = 7–2 | confstanding = T–1st | bowlname = [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|NCAA Division I-AA First Round]] | bowloutcome = L | ranking = 11 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | year = [[2003 NCAA Division I-AA football season|2003]] | name = Northeastern | overall = 8–4 | conference = 6–3 | confstanding = 3rd | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | ranking = 20 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Northeastern | overall = 27–20 | confrecord = 18–17 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subhead | name = [[UMass Minutemen football|UMass Minutemen]] | conf = [[Atlantic 10 Conference]] / [[Colonial Athletic Association]] | startyear = 2004 | endyear = 2008 }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | year = [[2004 NCAA Division I-AA football season|2004]] | name = [[2004 UMass Minutemen football team|UMass]] | overall = 6–5 | conference = 4–4 | confstanding = T–2nd <small>(North)</small> | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | year = [[2005 NCAA Division I-AA football season|2005]] | name = [[2005 UMass Minutemen football team|UMass]] | overall = 7–4 | conference = 6–2 | confstanding = 2nd <small>(North)</small> | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | ranking = 19 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = conference | year = [[2006 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2006]] | name = [[2006 UMass Minutemen football team|UMass]] | overall = 13–2 | conference = 8–0 | confstanding = 1st <small>(North)</small> | bowlname = [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|NCAA Division I Championship]] | bowloutcome = L | ranking = 2 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | championship = conference | year = [[2007 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2007]] | name = [[2007 UMass Minutemen football team|UMass]] | overall = 10–3 | conference = 7–1 | confstanding = 1st <small>(North)</small> | bowlname = [[NCAA Division I Football Championship|NCAA Division I Quarterfinal]] | bowloutcome = L | ranking = 7 | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Entry | year = [[2008 NCAA Division I FCS football season|2008]] | name = [[2008 UMass Minutemen football team|UMass]] | overall = 7–5 | conference = 4–4 | confstanding = 3rd <small>(North)</small> | bowlname = | bowloutcome = | ranking = | ranking2 = no }} {{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal | name = Massachusetts | overall = 43–19 | confrecord = 29–11 }} {{CFB Yearly Record End | overall = 95–45 | bowls = no | poll = | polltype = Ranking from The Sports Network Poll }} ==References== {{Reflist}} ==External links== * [https://mgoblue.com/coaches.aspx?rc=2955&path=football Michigan profile] {{Navboxes | list = {{Yale Bulldogs baseball coach navbox}} {{Plymouth State Panthers football coach navbox}} {{Northeastern Huskies football coach navbox}} {{UMass Minutemen football coach navbox}} {{Big Ten Conference defensive coordinator navbox}} {{1998 UMass Minutemen football navbox}} {{AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year}} }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Brown, Don}} [[Category:1955 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American football running backs]] [[Category:Boston College Eagles football coaches]] [[Category:Brown Bears football coaches]] [[Category:UConn Huskies football coaches]] [[Category:Dartmouth Big Green football coaches]] [[Category:Mansfield Mounties football coaches]] [[Category:Maryland Terrapins football coaches]] [[Category:Michigan Wolverines football coaches]] [[Category:Northeastern Huskies football coaches]] [[Category:Norwich Cadets football players]] [[Category:Plymouth State Panthers football coaches]] [[Category:UMass Minutemen football coaches]] [[Category:Yale Bulldogs baseball coaches]] [[Category:Yale Bulldogs football coaches]] [[Category:High school football coaches in Vermont]] [[Category:Plymouth State University alumni]] [[Category:People from Spencer, Massachusetts]] [[Category:Players of American football from Massachusetts]]'