Vincent Brown enters his fourth season as the Tribe’s associate head coach/defensive coordinator and linebackers coach.
Brown’s defensive unit established itself among the best in the Colonial Athletic Association last season as it ranked among the nation’s top 20 in defensive touchdowns (11th), rushing defense (12th) and interceptions (18th). Additionally, W&M’s 29 sacks were just two shy of ranking among the program’s top-10 list, while it ranked third in the CAA in forced turnovers and pass efficiency defense.
In addition to the team’s success, three Tribe standouts earned all-conference honors last season. Defensive end Nate Lynn highlighted the talented group, as he earned multiple All-America accolades and was selected as a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which honors the nation’s top FCS defensive player.
Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited the 2020 campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Brown’s group performed well and allowed just 322.0 yards per game, including just 167.7 yards per contest through the air. Highlighting the individual accolades was standout defensive end Will Kiely who earned second-team all-conference honors.
Brown’s first season leading W&M’s defense provided a number of highlights, as his unit established itself among the league’s best in creating turnovers. In addition to leading the Colonial Athletic Association with 2.0 forced turnovers per game, the Tribe’s 24 forced turnovers marked the program’s highest total since 2009.
W&M’s defense also nearly broke into the program’s single-season top-10 lists in multiple categories. Its 30 sacks were just one shy, while its rushing defense (152.9) was just 3.0 yards from ranking among the program’s very best.
Bill Murray highlighted the individual Tribe standouts who benefited from Brown’s tutelage, as the standout defensive tackle earned first-team All-America honors from Hero Sports and signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots.
Brown, a former All-Pro linebacker for the New England Patriots, took over the Tribe’s defense in 2019 after stints as a coordinator at Howard University and UConn.
Prior to leading W&M’s defense, Brown served as London’s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Howard University the prior two seasons. In addition to producing a pair of All-MEAC selections, Brown mentored a young Bison defense that helped the program secure a 7-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in league play in 2017. That year’s squad ranked second in the conference in fourth down conversion defense and third in red zone defense versus league opponents.
Before his tenure at Howard, Brown spent three seasons at UConn (2014-16) as co-defensive coordinator where he coached four All-American Athletic Conference standouts.
Brown coached at the University of Virginia for four seasons, working with the linebackers (2010-12) and the defensive line (2013). Additionally, he served as the special teams coordinator in 2013. Highlighting those who benefited from Brown’s tutelage during his time in Charlottesville was linebacker Steve Greer who earned All-ACC honors after leading the team with 103 tackles. Greer’s 357 career tackles were the most of any active ACC player during the 2012 season.
After serving as a graduate assistant at UVA in 2007 and helping lead the Cavaliers to an appearance in the Gator Bowl, Brown coached linebackers for London at the University of Richmond for two seasons (2008-09). In addition to helping the Spiders win a national title in 2008, he mentored All-America linebacker Eric McBride and three All-CAA selections in 2009.
Prior to his start in collegiate coaching, Brown served as an inside linebackers coach for the Dallas Cowboys in 2006. His previous coaching experience also includes a four-year stint as an assistant coach at Meadowcreek High School near Atlanta, while he was also the school's assistant athletic director for one year.
A three-time All-Pro linebacker for the New England Patriots (1991, 1992, 1993), Brown was selected in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft. He went on to start 103 of 123 games for the Patriots before retiring in 1995.
A native of Atlanta, Brown played at Mississippi Valley State where he earned Kodak All-America honors as a senior in 1987. He was a second-team Associated Press All-American as a junior. A three-time all-conference pick, he set a school record for career tackles (570) and led the team in stops his final three seasons. He graduated with a degree in criminal justice.
Brown and his wife, Chandra, have four children: Dane, Vincent II, Raven and Jorian.
