XFL Memphis Maniax Head Coach Kippy Brown


 
Maniax Head Coach Kippy Brown
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Kippy Brown
Head Coach

A veteran of 21 football coaching seasons, including nine NFL and 12 collegiate, Kippy Brown began his outstanding football career at Sweetwater (Tenn.) High School winning the 1973 state championship. He also helped his prep team lead the state in scoring in 1972 and 1973.

Following a stellar high school career, Brown attended Memphis State University where he was quarterback for the Tigers from 1975-77. The Sweetwater, Tenn., native was an outstanding field general, and his leadership ability combined with his unique scrambling talents and strong arm paid dividends when the Tigers upset sixth-ranked Auburn 31-20 in 1975. In what was probably the Tigers’ best win during his tenure, Brown engineered the victory over the Tigers from the Alabama Plains by completing seven of 11 passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.

After graduating from MSU in 1977 with a B.A. in communications, Brown switched gears from playing to coaching at his alma mater and served as running backs coach in 1978 under head coach Richard Williamson and receivers coach from 1979-80.

After coaching two years with the Tigers, he moved to Louisville to coach Cardinals receivers for the 1982 campaign. One of his pupils was Mark Clayton who played for the Miami Dolphins from 1983-92.

Following the ’82 season at U of L, Brown returned to his roots in the state of Tennessee helping coach a Johnny Majors-run Volunteer club. During his first stint with the Vols from 1983-89, Brown helped Tennessee acquire the nickname “Wide Receiver U.,” coaching numerous pass catchers to greatness. Receivers Anthony Miller, Tim McGee, Alvin Harper and Carl Pickens all benefited from Brown’s tutelage prior to their joining the professional ranks.

Brown, 45, caught the attention of the New York Jets while with Tennessee and coached the Jets from 1990-92. While with the Jets in 1991, he coached running backs for NY head coach Bruce Coslet and saw his backs rank fifth in the NFL in rushing. That 1991 squad also returned to the playoffs for the first time since 1986.

Brown later returned to Rocky Top when Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer convinced him to return to the collegiate ranks as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach for two seasons (1993-94). He brought an offensive flair from the professional ranks to the UT offensive package as the Vols compiled an 18-6 record and outscored their opponents 847-383 over the course of those two years. A young Peyton Manning also benefited from Brown’s guidance during his freshman campaign as the Vols’ signal caller.

Following a highly successful 1994 Tennessee season, Brown was again called to the pro ranks, joining Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1995. Then Tampa Bay head coach Sam Wyche named Brown running backs coach stating, “Getting Kippy is a major coup for us.” While in Tampa, he also worked closely with current Bucs head coach Tony Dungy.

A year later, the Miami Dolphins came calling and Brown joined the staff serving from 1996-1999. In 1998, he was promoted to offensive coordinator by Dolphins then-head coach Jimmy Johnson. During his four years with the Dolphins, Brown worked with future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino. Marino was excited about Brown’s style of high-flying offense prior to training camp in 1998 stating, “We’re changing our philosophy, and that’s exciting.” Marino, who retired following the 1999-2000 season, is still a great proponent of Brown’s offensive philosophy.

He was also instrumental in the development of Karim Abdul-Jabbar, who rushed for a club rookie record in 1996 to become the team’s first 1,000-yard rusher since 1978. Abdul-Jabbar also tied for the NFL lead in 1997 in rushing touchdowns with 15. During the two years that Brown was offensive coordinator, he called all the plays and the Dolphins made the NFL playoffs in both 1998 and 1999.

Brown has been currently serving as running backs coach for the Green Bay Packers. After changes in the Miami Dolphins’ organization, Brown joined the Green Bay coaching staff under head coach Mike Sherman.

Brown and his wife, Deon (Wilson), were married in Memphis in 1974. Deon is a native Memphian who taught locally at Craigmont High School from 1978-81. The couple has two grown children, Jerome, born January 8, 1975, and Jennifer, born July 28, 1980.

Jerome earned a basketball scholarship at the University of Tennessee under former Vol head coach Wade Houston, and is now competing on the Buy.com golf tour. Jennifer is currently a junior Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga.

The Brown File:
Playing History:
Sweetwater (Tenn.) High School – 1973 Tennessee State Champion
Memphis State University – Quarterback 1975-77 (B.A. communications)

Coaching Career:
1978-80 Memphis State University – running backs (1978), receivers (1979-80)
1982 University of Louisville – running backs
1983-89 University of Tennessee – receivers
1990-92 New York Jets – running backs
1993-94 University of Tennessee – assistant head coach/wide receivers
1995 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – running backs
1996-99 Miami Dolphins – running backs (1996-97), offensive coordinator (1998-99)
2000 Green Bay Packers – running backs
2000- Memphis Maniax – Head Coach

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