University of North Carolina Athletics
Browning Named Defensive Coordinator
February 10, 2000 | Football
Feb. 10, 2000
Ken Browning, six years an assistant coach at the University of North Carolina and two-time former state high school Coach of the Year, has been named the Tar Heels' football defensive coordinator. The announcement was made Thursday morning by head coach Carl Torbush.
Since joining UNC's staff in 1994, Browning has developed a number of outstanding tackles, including first-round NFL draft picks Vonnie Holliday and Marcus Jones and second-round picks Rick Terry and Russell Davis. Sports Illustrated selected North Carolina's defensive tackles in its positional "Dream Team" in its 1998 preseason college football issue.
"Kenny brings a tremendous wealth of experience, knowledge and leadership to the table," says Torbush. "There is nobody in this state who is more highly regarded and respected. He's one of the most intelligent football coaches I've ever been around and on top of that he's probably the hardest working football person I've ever been around. Football is not only his job, but his hobby. He's the only person I considered for this position."
rowning was head coach and athletic director at Northern High School in Durham, N.C., for 18 years. He posted a 178-35 record and won the 1993 4-A state title and Shrine Bowl. Over his last three years, Northern built a 43-2 record and was named the North Carolina Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 1992 and 1993. In 1988 he was elected as first president of the North Carolina Football Coaches Association. He became only the third coach to win both the state title and Shrine Bowl in the same year. Browning was the coach at Ledford High in Thomasville from 1970-75.
"I'm looking forward to continuing my relationship with (defensive coaches) Ron Case, Donnie Thompson and Ken Rucker," says Browning. "This defensive staff is a very special group. I'm a team-guy first, and I think that's the most important part. I won't win any games for us next year, but I hope that with the guys we have returning and the coaching staff we have returning we can work together and become a better football team."
