Don Brown

Passed away peacefully on February 4 at the age of 96. Don will be remembered as one of the true legends of area high school football coaching and The Sacramento Bee’s Coach of the Decade for the 1960s. He was drafted into the Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday and served as a navigator on combat missions in Italy during World War II. Don returned from the war as a mature and disciplined 22 year old, ready to resume the athletics he loved. He starred at halfback at College of the Pacific (now UOP) from 1946-49. The 1949 Pacific Tigers had their finest team in the school's history, as Brown teamed with legendary quarterback Eddie LeBaron to guide COP to an 11–0 record, ranked No. 10 in the nation by the Associated Press, and highest scoring team in the country with 575 points. The complex offense was similar to the wing-T, using quickness and deception long before other teams, and formed the basis for Don’s future offensive program. He also starred on the baseball field, and became the second athlete in the history of Stockton to be chosen on two All-Conference teams in one year. After coaching stints in Tracy CA, and Encina High School in Sacramento, Don started the football program at Mira Loma when the school opened in 1960. He went 1-8 his first season, but by 1963 had started a string of championships, and molded a dynasty. Don won 9 CVC Championships in his 18 years of coaching the Matadors, the last coming in his retiring year. In a six year run from 1967-72 the Matadors went 57-4-1, and during the 1969 football season, Mira Loma had the state's longest winning streak at 27 games. His 1968 team was NorCal ranked No. 1 and was voted by area coaches as one of the all-time top 10 teams in area history in a 1995 Bee story. His 18 year record at Mira Loma was 125-50-4. Coach held a long string of awards, but what summed up his life the best may have been a speech his grandson Matt delivered at the National Football Foundation Sacramento Valley Chapter Hall of Fame in 2016. “…As his grandson, I’m sure I experienced a very different Coach Brown than many of you. To me, Coach Brown is just ‘Papa,’ or ‘The Old Coach.’ Just a loving, caring, charismatic, devoted Grandfather. Yet, to those of you who had the privilege of playing for Coach Brown, he was a passionate teacher, an inspirational coach, a mentor, a friend, a perfectionist. He was your fearless leader. The key to my Grandpa’s success was the philosophy he lived by, and so many of his players committed to - that no one person was more important than the team. My Grandpa had this great gift of creating a common goal and uniting individuals into one, through work ethic, dedication, and love. To those of you who played for Coach Brown: You remember the dynasty and that juggernaut wing-T offense he brought to Sacramento. But more importantly, you remember the man, who, through his relentless drive, passion, and commitment, had such an impact on your future. The man who taught you the importance of hard work, accountability, selflessness, pride, and most of all teamwork. Characteristics that would pave the way for success for the rest of your life. One last word of advice from Coach Brown, ‘Anything worth having, is worth working for. Find something you’re passionate about, pursue it, and take pride in everything that you do.’” Behind every great coach is a great wife. Don is survived by his wife of 71 years, June, their marriage described by a friend as “one of the greatest love stories of all time.” Don’s children and grandchildren wish to thank all the friends and former players who have kept in touch and meant so much to Coach Brown over the years, and our deep appreciation and gratitude to the wonderful caregivers who welcomed him and our mom into their loving home this past year. We love you Papa. In lieu of flowers, please simply offer your condolences and share memories to the family through our online Tribute Wall.