Mizzou hires Greg Brown as cornerbacks coach

Missouri added a 35-year coaching veteran to its football staff Monday, announcing that Greg Brown would become the cornerbacks coach.

Brown, 58, spent the last two seasons as Louisville’s safeties coach/recruiting coordinator. He takes over for Cornell Ford, who has shifted to become the Tigers’ running backs coach.

“Greg’s experience is unmatched around the country, and the success he’s had with the guys he’s coached at every level is so impressive,” said MU coach Barry Odom, who was promoted from defensive coordinator Dec. 3 as Gary Pinkel’s successor. “He always produces very well-coached players who compete at the highest level, and he’s got a tremendous track record of developing guys to play at or above their top level.”

The Tigers ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense this season, allowing only 16.2 points per game.

Missouri’s pass defense, which gave up 169.3 yards per game, also ranked fifth in the nation for a defense that ranked seventh overall, allowing only 302 yards per game.

The well-traveled Brown has spent one season in the SEC, serving as Alabama’s secondary coach in 2013.

“I’m really excited to be part of the University of Missouri and to go to work with Barry Odom and the talented staff that he’s putting together,” Brown said. “I’ve been very impressed with the success he’s had throughout his career, and I can’t wait to get in and help build on the great defense he put together last season.”

Brown coached two players — Colorado’s Deon Figures (1992) and Louisville’s Gerod Holliman (2014) — who won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s best defensive back.

After his career as a cornerback at UTEP wrapped up in 1980, Brown served as a graduate assistant for one season at his alma mater and spent one year in the high school ranks before moving to professional football.

He coached the USFL’s Denver Gold in 1983-84 and jumped to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1984-86 before returning to the college ranks with Wyoming (1987-88), Purdue (1989-90) and Colorado (1991-93).

Brown spent the next 12 seasons in the NFL with the Falcons (1994, 2000-01), Chargers (1995-96), Oilers (1997-98), 49ers (1999) and Saints (2002-05).

He returned to the college ranks as a defensive backs coach with Colorado during 2005-09.

During that stint with the Buffaloes, Brown coached Ryan Walters, who came to Missouri with Odom last offseason and is entering his second season as the Tigers’ safeties coach.

Brown was Arizona’s co-defensive coordinator in 2010 before going back to Colorado as defensive coordinator for two seasons.

With the Crimson Tide in 2013, Brown coached first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix before moving to Louisville in February 2014.

“His experience and leadership will be great assets to add to our staff,” Odom said. “I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s recognized as one of the best in the business at what he does. He’ll bring a tremendous amount of knowledge and respect to our program and university.”

Brown and his wife, Stacie, have two daughters, Hannah and Grace.

Odom has filled seven of his nine full-time coaching positions, retaining Walters and Ford along with associate head coach Andy Hill, who will return to coaching wide receivers.

Former Oklahoma/Utah State offensive coordinator Josh Heupel was hired Dec. 17 as Missouri’s new offensive coordinator. He’ll also coach quarterbacks.

Former TCU co-defensive coordinator and MU graduate DeMontie Cross was hired Dec. 18 as the Tigers’ new defensive coordinator, replacing Odom. Cross also will coach linebackers.

Former USC defensive line coach Chris Wilson was hired Dec. 21 as Craig Kuligowski’s replacement, but Missouri still needs an offensive line coach and can add an additional full-time coach (perhaps to oversee special teams).

This story was originally published January 4, 2016 at 12:04 PM with the headline "Mizzou hires Greg Brown as cornerbacks coach."