This past week, Lawrence University football coach Dave Brown announced to his team, and then to the public that he would be resigning after the Vikings final game of this season this weekend at home against Macalester College. A national effort to find Coach Brown’s successor is already underway, according to Lawrence University athletics director Kim Tatro.
Brown is tied for the fifth longest tenure of any LU football coach. He began his career at LU in 1992 as the head track and field coach and as a football assistant. He took over the head coach job in 1999. Brown also served as athletics director from 2000 until 2002, when Tatro took the position over.
Brown cites family reasons as one reason for his resignation. He has three school-age children, and wants to spend more time with them.
Brown’s tenure at LU has been a rough one, but one that leaves promise for the future. The team has increased in size and depth during Brown’s tenure, but is still stuck in its streak of 17 consecutive losing seasons. Brown’s record at LU is 11-48 going into this week’s season finale against the Scots. The Vikings will have 40 letter winners returning next fall.
This week’s game marks the end of a LU career for six seniors. Linebacker Drew Thomas, tight end Adam Tegelman, defensive back Steven Addo-Yobo, tight end Anthony Totoraitis, offensive lineman Matt Durand, and wide receiver O.J. Ambrose are all playing their final game in the Banta Bowl. The Vikings come into the game with a record of 1-8, while Macalester is 1-7. The team’s share the fact that their lone win each came against Knox.
The Scots lead the all-time series 4-3, but the teams have split their last two meetings. The Vikings lost 30-25 last year, but won 13-10 in 2001 in the infamous “immaculate deflection” game. In that game, quarterback R.J. Rosenthal’s pass deflected off receiver Zach Michael’s shoulder and into the hands of Chris McGinley for the game-winning touchdown with under a minute left in the game.
The Vikings will try and even the series at four games apiece, and give Coach Brown a win in his last game as LU coach. Kickoff is set for noon in the Banta Bowl.
Brown resigns as LU football coach
