Matt Brown enters his first season as Linebackers Coach at Tennessee State University in 2026, bringing championship pedigree and a proven record of defensive success to the Tigers’ football staff.
Prior to joining TSU, Brown served as Co-Defensive Coordinator at Albany State University from 2023–25, helping build one of the most dominant defenses in NCAA Division II football. During the 2025 season, Albany State captured the NCAA Division II HBCU National Championship and the SIAC Championship while finishing with a program-record 12 wins (12–2) and an undefeated 10–0 conference record.
The Golden Rams led Division II in total defense and ranked among the nation’s best across multiple statistical categories, including No. 1 nationally in third-down defense and passing efficiency defense, while finishing near the top nationally in scoring defense, sacks, interceptions, tackles for loss, and red-zone defense. Brown was part of a defensive staff honored as the 2025 AFCA Minority Forum Defensive Coaching Staff of the Year and was named a finalist for Division II Coordinator of the Year by FootballScoop/Teamworks.
Brown began his coaching career at his alma mater, Alcorn State University, where he served in several defensive roles from 2018–22. He assisted with the defensive line in 2018 as the Braves led the FCS and Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) in sacks, sacks per game, and tackles for loss, while also ranking first in total defense and rushing defense. In 2019, he transitioned to graduate assistant linebackers coach, helping guide a defense that ranked No. 1 in the FCS and SWAC in takeaways per game and interceptions while mentoring FCS All-American and All-SWAC standout Solomon Muhammad. Brown later served as the program’s nickels coach in 2022 and was part of Alcorn State’s 2018 and 2019 SWAC Championship and Celebration Bowl teams.
A native of Fayette, Mississippi, Brown earned both his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Master’s degree in Sports Administration from Alcorn State University. He is a proud 2016 graduate of Jefferson County High School.
