Photo Courtesy Fresno State Athletics

Remembering coach Dan Brown

Dan Brown will not be remembered as a just a football coach, but as a respected and inspirational man. It is apparent just how many lives he touched and how important he was to the entire Fresno State community and everyone who came through the football program.

Brown passed away last Friday after a two-year battle with brain cancer at the age of 50. Throughout his illness, he always deflected attention away from himself and never complained about anything.

Tomorrow the university will honor Brown̢۪s life by flying the flag at half-staff on campus.

A viewing will be held from 5:30 p.m to 6:30 p.m. tonight, followed by a Rosary at 7 p.m. A Mass will be celebrated tomorrow morning at 10 a.m.

All of the services will be held at the St. Paul Newman Center at 1572 E. Barstow. The Newman Center is just north of Bulldog Stadium.

“Simply stated, Dan Brown was a great man and a great coach. I’m saddened by the passing of coach Brown because he was such a good guy. He was an inspiration to me and everybody who met him; throughout his sickness he rarely missed practices or games and stayed with a positive attitude all the time. He was just so dedicated to the team; he always put the Bulldogs as a priority. He loved us and he loved the program. His spirit will live on through his family and the Fresno State Bulldogs.â€Â

— Will Harding,
Former Fresno State cornerback

“He was the man that had enough belief in me to give me my first opportunity to play as a redshirt freshman. I had so much respect for him as a coach, that early on in my career, my only goal was to not let him down and prove to him, and the rest of my team, that he made a good decision. But he was so much more than just a great coach; he fought the battle of brain cancer throughout my final season as a Bulldog and still made it to practice and all the games – that still inspires me to this day and will continue to forever.â€Â

— Marcus Riley,
Former Fresno State linebacker

Career at Fresno State

̢ۢ Brown was a key to Fresno State̢۪s postseason success since 1997. In nine of the past 10 seasons, the Bulldogs have reached a postseason bowl game.

̢ۢ The Bulldog defense was best in the WAC two
times in the last five seasons. In those years, the defense led the conference in both scoring and total defense.

̢ۢ Under Brown̢۪s tutelage, three Bulldogs earned WAC Defensive Player of the Year honors. Alan Harper (2001), Garrett McIntyre (2005) and Marcus Riley (2007) all flourished under Brown.

̢ۢ Brown̢۪s defense led the Bulldogs to their only conference victory over Boise State. In the 2005 season, the Broncos were held to only seven points and the defense pitched a second half shutout. The game was the first time in almost 20 seasons that Boise State scored only seven points.

̢ۢ In 2008, the defense struggled at times, but also set school records in rushing defense. In two games, against New Mexico State and at San Jose State, the Bulldogs held their opponents to negative rushing yards. The ̢۪Dogs held the Aggies to minus-9 yards and the Spartans to minus-5 yards on the ground. Both games were victories for Fresno State.

̢ۢ Multiple defensive players have made it to the pro ranks after learning under Brown. NFL players including James Sanders, Richard Marshall and Marcus McCauley all made it after playing for Fresno State and coach Brown.