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Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Matt Brown
Greater Louisville, KY
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By: Beth Bush
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Photo(s) By: Mark Atwell
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At 28, Matt Brown is wise beyond his years. Not surprising since he has coached football since he graduated from Oldham County High School 10 years ago. He is smart, comfortable in his own skin, speaks slowly but surely and most important, seems VERY excited about his new coaching position at Oldham County. You could feel his passion for the game, the school and the kids.
VYPE: Tell me about your background.
Brown: I decided to go to U of L for college and not play football. My high school football coach, Mike Jackson, had asked me to help coach the Oldham County team once I graduated. I studied political science, and then went on to receive my Masters in Education so that I could teach social studies in high school.
VYPE: What else have you been doing since you graduated from college?
Brown: From Oldham County, I went to Waggener to be a defensive coordinator, where I coached for a year. Then I was hired by Atherton as the head coach. I inherited a challenging situation, where the team was 0-10, and the way Atherton was districted, it was difficult to win. Luckily, we were reclassified into 4A and we were able to turn things around.
VYPE: How did Atherton prosper as a team under your leadership?
Brown: Great. Our season ended with a 4-7 record, which qualified Atherton for the playoffs for the first time in school history. Best record in 28 years.
VYPE: Are you excited about returning as the head coach to your alma mater?
Brown: Yes! Regardless of the fact that Oldham County has just built a first class facility and stadium, I’m excited to be back because of the parents and administration. They are so supportive of the program and we have the greatest kids.
VYPE: What goals have you set for your new team?
Brown: On field, my goal is to compete and win the district. We haven’t had a winning record in three seasons. Off field, I will hold the kids to a high standard. Keep them out of trouble; help them with offering study halls. Class work comes first before football. If the kids can’t keep up their grades, they can’t play.
VYPE: What is your biggest challenge?
Brown: Probably coming in and mending fences. Not too many fences to mend, but whenever you step in as a new coach, there’s a bit of a getting-to-know-each-other phase.
Also, I will challenge the kids to believe that they CAN win, regardless of their opponent. They should EXPECT to win games. I want them to believe they can achieve on a higher level. I felt that belief was the issue holding us back in the summer 7 on 7 tournaments.
VYPE: What is your coaching style?
Brown: I’m enthusiastic. I truly believe that we need to TEACH the kids. They need to learn to play football and learn about the game. Getting on a player by yelling and cursing isn’t my style and it isn’t beneficial to 9 out of 10 players.
I am intense and I expect the players to work hard on the field and off.
VYPE: What do you love about coaching?
Brown: Well, I have never dreaded getting out of bed to go to work. I get to get up and go have fun. I realize I’m still young, at 28; however, I’ve been coaching for 10 years, so another perk of the job is getting to be with teenagers. They have so much energy and it makes me feel young, too.
VYPE: Dislikes?
Brown: It’s a lot of long hours. As a head coach, I am ultimately responsible for the team. Outside of practice, I view tapes on weekends, work constantly through the summer on conditioning and tournaments. It’s rough but it goes with the job.
VYPE: Who inspires you?
Brown: Mike Jackson, now the head coach for Ballard, has been instrumental in developing my abilities as a football coach. He has given me lots of advice along the way and has provided me many opportunities. In addition, Willie Foster who I coached under at Waggener taught me a lot about perspective, remembering it is high school football.
VYPE: What about your family?
Brown: I’ve been married for four years and have two sons, Miller, 2 and Madden, 8 months. My wife, Betty Jo, also went to Oldham County and cheered. Betty Jo and I have been together a long time--she knew what she was getting when she married a football coach.
VYPE: How exciting, you have two little football players ready to go!
Brown: Yes, but my wife still wants her little cheerleader!
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