FOOTBALL: A players' coach
Defensive Coordinator Corwin Brown brings new attitude, new scheme to Irish
Ken Fowler
Issue date: 8/31/07 Section: Irish Insider
Corwin Brown is a players' coach.
Yes, the product of the Bill Parcells-Bill Belichick-Al Groh-Eric Mangini coaching tree is a players' coach.
No, he's not a lackadaisical, non-disciplinarian.
He's not a guy who is going to play favorites or coddle starters.
And Brown certainly is not a guy who is going to say anything other than what he thinks.
But talk to the Notre Dame defense, and they'll tell you that the team's new, 37-year-old defensive coordinator is what they think a "players' coach" should be.
He relates well.
* * *
Something about the former standout at Michigan - who grew up in a tough neighborhood of Chicago, earned a spot in the NFL, studied the game closely enough to land an assistant coaching gig in college and then a spot on a pro team's staff - connects with almost every defender for the Irish.
"He's a great players' coach. He knows how to get guys fired up," fifth-year defensive lineman Trevor Laws says. "You really feel like you're playing for him when you're out there because he's always right behind you, always pushing you. He knows how to get players to play, and you really do want to play for him."
Laws says that Brown's youth is a benefit in his relationship with players, something related to what some of Laws' teammates say.
For other defenders, having a coach whose playing experience was substantial and recent means an extra level of comfort and respect. Brown played for the New England Patriots from 1993-96, for the New York Jets from 1997-98 and for the Detroit Lions from 1999-2000. Meanwhile, Irish head coach Charlie Weis didn't play any college ball, and defensive backs coach Bill Lewis ended his playing days 45 years ago, when he graduated from East Stroudsburg (Pa.) State.
Though former Irish defensive coordinator Rick Minter played in college at Henderson State (Ark.) in the 1970s, Brown's experience is more relevant and tangible for players aspiring for NFL stardom.
Yes, the product of the Bill Parcells-Bill Belichick-Al Groh-Eric Mangini coaching tree is a players' coach.
No, he's not a lackadaisical, non-disciplinarian.
He's not a guy who is going to play favorites or coddle starters.
And Brown certainly is not a guy who is going to say anything other than what he thinks.
But talk to the Notre Dame defense, and they'll tell you that the team's new, 37-year-old defensive coordinator is what they think a "players' coach" should be.
He relates well.
* * *
Something about the former standout at Michigan - who grew up in a tough neighborhood of Chicago, earned a spot in the NFL, studied the game closely enough to land an assistant coaching gig in college and then a spot on a pro team's staff - connects with almost every defender for the Irish.
"He's a great players' coach. He knows how to get guys fired up," fifth-year defensive lineman Trevor Laws says. "You really feel like you're playing for him when you're out there because he's always right behind you, always pushing you. He knows how to get players to play, and you really do want to play for him."
Laws says that Brown's youth is a benefit in his relationship with players, something related to what some of Laws' teammates say.
For other defenders, having a coach whose playing experience was substantial and recent means an extra level of comfort and respect. Brown played for the New England Patriots from 1993-96, for the New York Jets from 1997-98 and for the Detroit Lions from 1999-2000. Meanwhile, Irish head coach Charlie Weis didn't play any college ball, and defensive backs coach Bill Lewis ended his playing days 45 years ago, when he graduated from East Stroudsburg (Pa.) State.
Though former Irish defensive coordinator Rick Minter played in college at Henderson State (Ark.) in the 1970s, Brown's experience is more relevant and tangible for players aspiring for NFL stardom.