LONDON REUNITED WITH OLD DC BROWN
Coach worked with former NFLer at three other schools
Through less than six degrees of separation, former NFL linebacker Vincent “The Undertaker” Brown is William and Mary’s defensive coordinator.
Brown, who held the same job at Howard University the past two seasons, will serve on Mike London’s staff for a fourth different program. Before his time with the Bison, Brown also coached for London at Richmond and the University of Virginia.
In all, Brown has spent nine of his 12 years on college staffs working either for or with London. And he’s signed up for more.
“Coach London is a very passionate coach and he cares deeply about the kids,” Brown said. “We have a shared vision in how we treat people both on and off the field. I feel very fortunate and blessed to be able to continue the relationship working with him.
“Ultimately, you’re judged by how you do with wins and losses. But from our standpoint, it’s how you impact these young people and change their lives in a positive way.”
Brown had never met London until 2007. The bridge that connected them was then-Virginia head coach Al Groh.
Groh had been the New England Patriots’ defensive coordinator during Brown’s final three seasons (1993-95) with the team. When he got the U.Va. job in 2001, Groh hired London as defensive line coach. Five years later, London was named the Cavaliers’ defensive coordinator.
Which brings us to ’07, when Brown was hired as Groh’s graduate assistant at Virginia. A year later, London got his first head coaching job at Richmond, and Brown came along as his linebackers coach.
When London was lured to U.Va. in 2010, Brown followed. After three years at Connecticut, where he was co-defensive coordinator, Brown rejoined London at Howard in 2017.
“I have a long history of working with Vincent and his NFL credentials and coaching experience speak for themselves,” London said. “His character and values are perfectly aligned with what we demand from our program and I am confident he will be an outstanding leader of our defense.”
Brown, 54, was a linebacker for the New England Patriots from 1988-95. He started 103 of the 123 games he played, including the final 32 of his career. He played alongside University of Virginia and Tabb graduate Chris Slade.
A second-round pick out of Mississippi Valley State, Brown was named All-Pro in 1991, ’92 and ’93. He retired with 811 career tackles, 737 of which were solo.
W&M also announced the hiring of Ras-I Dowling, who starred at Virginia and Deep Creek, as cornerbacks coach.
Dowling, 30, played for London at Virginia from 2007-10 and was named second-team All-American his senior year. He was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft (No. 33 overall) by the Patriots.
Because of hip and thigh injuries, Dowling played in seven games in two seasons with New England. He spent the 2013 season on the New York Jets’ practice squad before signing with the Oakland Raiders in ’14. He played three games before being released.