Former Annapolis coach Roy Brown dies
Former Annapolis coach Roy “Danny” Brown died Sunday at the age of 70 from complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Brown was head coach at Annapolis from 1989 through 2002 and compiled a career record of 104-47. He was the winningest active coach in Anne Arundel County at the time he announced his resignation in July 2003. “Roy was a real sensible coach and a very fair coach who could be tough when he needed to,” said Bill Phebus, the top assistant at Annapolis throughout Brown’s 14-year tenure. “Roy was a good leader and I always felt like the kids looked up to him.” Brown led Annapolis to eight playoff appearances, including six straight from 1997 through 2002 — both of which were county records at the time. The Panthers reached the Class 3A state championship in 2000, falling to Calvert in College Park. “I always felt like Roy coached with a lot of common sense. He wouldn’t beat his head against the wall having players do something they couldn’t,” Phebus said. “Roy believed if the players weren’t doing what we wanted it was the coaching staff’s fault.” His last Annapolis team finished 9-2 after losing to eventual Class 3A state champ Seneca Valley in the quarterfinals. Brown was a standout athlete at Arundel High from19631966, earning All-County honors in both football and baseball. The Millersville native also played both sports at what is now McDaniel College. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound tight end was good enough to get a tryout with the Chicago Bears and later played semi-pro football in the Baltimore area. Brown moved to Fenwick Island, Del., after retiring from teaching and coaching. About three years ago, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and has been in assisted living for most of that time. A funeral mass for Brown, who is survived by his wife Kathy, will be held Nov. 14, 11:30 a.m., at Baldwin Methodist Church in Millersville. 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