Former NFL running back Dee Brown formerly served at University of North Carolina Charlotte as the Director of Player Development for football. Brown's role oversaw the holistic growth and development of the 49ers 100-plus member football roster where he was involved in academic support, life skills training, life after football, and the program's community service efforts.
Through Brown's efforts, Charlotte's player were able to secure internship opportunities at Bank of America, Lowe's, CAP Insurance, Northwestern Mutual, Ten Oaks Financial, among many others. Summer programming for student-athletes has included a professional profile series where the 49ers have been able to develop key professional skills such as resume building, training for interviews, budgeting, and dressing for success.
Prior to arriving back in Charlotte, the former Carolina Panther spent two seasons at Campbell where he served as the Associate Head Coach and oversaw the quarterbacks and offensive recruiting efforts, working alongside his former teammate Mike Minter. The Camels ranked No. 6 nationally in red zone touchdowns in 2023 and No. 12 nationally in third down conversion rate despite finishing No. 98 in time of possession. Brown's top pupil, quarterback Hajj Malik Williams enjoyed a record-breaking year, throwing for 2,609 yards and 19 touchdowns while completing 71 percent of his passes, the No. 3 mark in the FCS.
On the recruiting trail, the 2023 recruiting class was the top ranked class in the Football Championship Subdivision. Brown also served as the program's academic liasion, resulting in 51 percent of the team being named to the department's honor roll in the Fall 2023 semester.
Brown served as Campbell's running backs coach in 2022, not only helping the Camels post a record-breaking passing attack, but coaching Bryant Barr to a breakout All-Big South season.
Prior to Campbell, Brown was the offensive coordinator for Livingstone College in 2021. Accepting the position on the first day of fall camp, Brown had little time to implement his entire offense but was able to still produce 2,000 yards passing and a two-time conference Back of the Week, despite starting three walk-ons and two freshmen.
Before joining the college ranks, Brown served as head coach for West Orange High School in Winter Garden, Fla., and at Victory Christian Center School in Charlotte, where he led his teams to two state championships (2012, 2014) and three title game appearances.
He also made coaching stops in the Charlotte area as offensive coordinator at Rocky River High School as well as an assistant coach at Lake Norman High and West Mecklenburg High.
Brown started his coaching career with the Denver Broncos under then-head coach Josh McDaniels. In Denver, Brown assisted the special teams coordinators and the running backs coach in day-to-day activities and execution of the practice and game plans.
Professionally, Brown enjoyed a six-year NFL career, playing for four different organizations after being selected by the Carolina Panthers in the sixth round of the 2001 draft. Brown also suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Kansas City Chiefs.
Brown played four seasons collegiately at Syracuse, rushing for 1,031 yards in 2000 and finishing his career #2 All-Time at SU in career touchdowns. Brown earned his bachelor’s degree from Syracuse in 2000 with a B.S. in Psychology . While at Syracuse, he was a part of teams that earned the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Achievement Award for having the highest graduation rate among Division I programs in the country.
He is also a graduate of Walden University with a M.S. in counseling/clinical therapy. He was a trainer for the International Institute of Restorative Practices. Brown also completed the QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Program.
Brown is a native of Clearwater, Fla. In his spare time, he enjoys every minute with his grandsons Josiah and Grayson, listening to all genres of music, exercising, and traveling with friends and family.
