Vincent Brown enters his fifth year with the Builders and second season as head coach.

After a complete rebuild following the 2020 COVID year where the team did not play any games, Brown looks to capitalize on the experience that his young group gained last season, competing against a strong ODAC schedule where the Builders played every game on the road but one. They also defeated USA South Conference playoff contender Brevard. Coupled with a strong recruiting class and off season, the Builders look to prepare the ship for battle.

In 2019 the Builder defense continued to excel. Under Brown’s leadership, the defense has ranked as one of the best in school history. As an addition this past season, Coach Brown introduced the “24K” Turnover Hard Hat and the defense responded to it’s new incentive. With a new emphasis on takeways, the Builder defense forced a total of 26 turnovers, inclduing 11 interceptions and 15 forced fumbles. The unit also set a school record with 17 sacks, as well as ranking nationally for fewest rushing touchdowns allowed with 12.

Combined with an efficient offense, Coach Brown and the defense led the Builders to a 6-3 regular season record and an appearance in the inaugural Neptune Bowl vs. Randolph-Macon College. The six wins marked the first time the Builders program finished above .500 vs. all varsity opponents since 2006 and just the 4th time since 1993.

As a testament to Coach Brown’s coaching prowess, for the 2nd year in a row the team’s Defensive MVP has emerged from his position group in 2018 winner Isaiah Washington(Sr.) and 2019 winner Javion Walker (Jr.)

Brown has coaching experience at all levels, including HS, junior college, NAIA, NCAA DIII and the European Football League. Brown is coming to Apprentice School after his coaching stop at Campbellsville University in Kentucky, which he started in 2017.

As linebackers coach Brown’s impact was felt immediately as the Tigers finished 2017 with an 8-2 overall record and were ranked 17th nationally in the NAIA Top 25 poll. In addition, the Tigers won the 2017 Victory Bowl. Following a 2-8 mark in 2016 before his arrival, Brown assisted in a complete defensive turnaround in 2017 with the team giving up nearly 40% fewer points per game (26.6) and allowing only 96 yards rushing per game (6th best mark in NAIA Division I). 

In addition to his coaching career, Brown had an exceptional career as a student-athlete. He played two seasons for the University of Memphis from 2000-2002 before transferring to Morgan State University, where he graduated with a degree in communications.

During his time at Morgan State, Brown was the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Rookie of the Year in 2003 and was nominated to the All-MEAC First Team. In addition, he was presented the Iron Man Award for leading the Bears with 98 tackles, 68 solo, 22 for loss over 100 yards and seven sacks. In 2004, Brown, received Preseason All-American honors and was the runner-up for MEAC Defensive Player of the Year during his senior campaign.

After his college career, Brown had private workouts with multiple NFL teams and was offed a contract to play in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2005 before playing two seasons in the Arena Football League with the Arizona Rattlers and Kansas City Brigade as a linebacker and fullback. He closed his playing career in 2009 with the Bolzano Giants of the Italian Football League (IFL). 

Prior to Campbellsville, he was the Assistant Head Coach and Safeties Coach for Gallaudet University. He also spent time serving as the defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator.

Brown served as the Head Coach for the Egyptian national football team in the winter of 2014 where he was responsible for organizing and selection of the team, practice and game-playing and making the first African national game appearance for the program.

In 2013, Brown coached the linebackers on a defense that ranked ninth in NCAA DIII in total defense (264.5 yards allowed/game) and topped the Eastern Collegiate Football Conference In 2015, the Gallaudet defense ranked third in the ECFC and 23rd overall by allowing 282.8 yards a game.

Prior to Gallaudet, Brown was the head strength & conditioning coordinator and defensive line coach at Louisburg College assisting the Hurricanes to their best record in school history and first-ever trip to a bowl game. In addition, Brown brought a strong recruiting class to contribute to the school’s record setting season. He joined the Hurricanes after one season as the defensive coordinator and strength coach for the 2012 State Champion Virginia Episcopal School located in Lynchburg, VA.

Brown, a native of Detroit, Mich., graduated from E.C. Glass High School in Virginia, where he was a two-sport athlete in football and basketball.