Matt Brown

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!