Boston College’s Don Brown will be new Michigan defensive coordinator
Boston College defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Don Brown will be Michigan's new defensive coordinator according to sources.
Under Brown, the Eagles were first this season in the FBS in total defense (254.4 yards per game) and fourth in scoring defense (15.3 points per game), earning him the American Football Coaches Association's Assistant Coach of the Year Award. They allowed 10 points or less in six of their games, but still finished with a 3-9 record thanks to anemic offense.
This season was Brown's third in his positions at Boston College. Last season, the Eagles finished 11th in the FBS in total defense (324.2 yards per game) and were second-best in run defense (94.5 yards per game).
In Brown's first season, Boston College was 21st nationally in scoring defense (21.3 points per game) and also 21st in sacks (36). Prior to his arrival to Chestnut Hill, the 60-year-old Brown was defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Connecticut (2011-12) and Maryland (2009-10).
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He was Massachusetts' coach from 2004-08, compiling a record of 43-19, which included an appearance in the 2006 FCS title game. Before that, he was Northeastern's coach for four seasons with a 27-20 record.
Brown was also defensive coordinator at Massachusetts (1998-99), Brown (1986-97), Yale (1987-92), Dartmouth (1984-86) and Mansfield (1983). He was also coach at Plymouth State from 1993-95 with a 25-6 record.
Brown was also Yale's interim baseball coach in 1992. He led the Bulldogs to a league title and the NCAA tournament that season with a 26-10 record.
A Spencer, Mass native, Brown was a running back at Norwich from 1973-76. He replaces former Michigan defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, who was hired as Maryland's coach earlier this month after just this season with the Wolverines.
Michigan is fourth in the FBS in total defense this season (281.3 yards per game) and 10th in scoring defense (17.2 points per game). The 14th-ranked Wolverines (9-3) and first-year coach Jim Harbaugh face 19th-ranked Florida (10-3) in the Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.
