Bemidji State University

Austin Brown enters his second season with the Beavers in 2025 after a history-making first season as the wide receivers coach and special teams co-coordinator in 2024.

The Beavers made an impact on the NCAA during the 2024 season, making their first ever NCAA Division II Tournament Quarterfinal appearance. BSU's appearance in the tournament garnered the honor of being the only team in the NCAA to appear in the second round for each of the past four years. The Beavers went into the postseason off the high of defeating No. 15/10 Augustana University in the final week of NSIC play. They then headed to San Angelo, Tex. for a rematch against Angelo State, the team that ended their playoff push in 2022. After a strong 24-14 victory, the team traveled to Gunnison, Colo. the following weekend to take on No. 10 Western Colorado. After getting down 19-14 in the third quarter, the Beavers needed something magical to pull out a win in the -2°, Rocky Mountain environment. This magic sparked late in the fourth quarter when Gabe Ward scooped a fumble on defense and ran it into the endzone for a 79-yard fumble-recovery touchdown, making it 20-19 in favor of BSU. The Beavers' streak came to a halt in their first quarterfinals appearance, falling 27-23 to NSIC rival RV MSU Mankato, falling four yards and eight quarters short of the National Champion title. 

The Beavers excelled in the classroom as well as on the field in 2024, marking two College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans in Marco Cavallaro and Brice Peters along with eight CSC Academic All-District Selections. Ridge Flatness and Bill Ketola were named NSIC Myles Brand All-Academic with Distinction Award winners and 26 were named to the NSIC All-Academic team. Center Jake Gannon brought in his fair share of post-season accolades being named the Rimington Trophy Winner for Division II, an award given to the top center in each NCAA division. He was also named an AP All-American First Teamer, D2CCA All-American, All-Super Region 4, D2Football.com All-American, Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-American, a finalist for the Gene Upshaw award and the Bobby Belly College Football Impact Player of the Year. Marcus Hansen joined Gannon as an AP All-American, All-Super Region 4, D2Football.com All-American honorable mention, Don Hansens's Football Gazette All-American honorable mention and Harlon Hill nominee. Brice Peters was named the team's AFCA All-American and Don Hansen's Football Gazette All-American Second Team, while he and Stephen Hoffman were added to the D2Football.com All-American honorable mentions list. As a team, the Beavers had six named All-NSIC First Team selections with eight on the second team.

As a unit, the Beaver offense created 2,536 yards through the air, out of 5,051 in total offense. Beaver wide receivers combined for 24 receiving touchdowns with an average of 181.14 yards per game, 6.66 per attempt. The offense finished the season ranked 47th in the NCAA for 3rd down conversion percentage (.419), 22nd in 4th down conversion percentage (.600), 48th in completion percentage (.601), 14th in first downs (266, second in NSIC), 27th in rushing offense (180.1), 29th in sacks allowed (1.21), 17th in TFLs allowed (4.29), 25th in time of possession (31:56), 59th in total offense (361.9) and 35th in winning percentage (.714). Quarterback Sam McGath ranked 18th in the NCAA for passing touchdowns (24) and 14th in points responsible for (192). Brice Peters finished his senior season ranked 6th in receiving touchdowns (13), 7th in receiving yards (1,144) and 23rd in receiving yards per game (81.7). The duo also went 56 and 55 for total offense and total points scored, respectively, with Peters taking 33rd for total touchdowns. 

Eastern Oregon University (2023-24): Austin Brown made significant contributions as the Offensive Coordinator in year one with the Mountaineers. In his first year, the Mountaineers saw substantial improvements in various offensive categories, including improvements from 12.3 PPG to 22.2 PPG, 244.5 total YPG to 352.6, 139.7 passing YPG to 261.2 YPG. Coach Brown also oversaw the Kickoff Return Unit this season which finished 2nd in the Frontier Conference at 22.9yds per return.

Southern Oregon University (2021-22): Brown joined Southern Oregon University in 2021 as the Wide Receivers/Recruiting Coordinator, quickly earning a promotion to Offensive Coordinator in his second season. Under his guidance, the Raider offense experienced remarkable improvements in multiple areas, finishing the 2022 season as the #1 passing offense in the Frontier Conference.

Oregon State University (2018-21): Brown's coaching journey led him to Oregon State University, where he served as a Graduate Assistant for the Wide Receivers. Working alongside top offensive minds in the PAC 12, including Jonathan Smith and Brian Lindgren, he honed his coaching skills and contributed to player development.

University of Colorado (2017-18): Brown began his coaching career in 2017 at the University of Colorado, starting as an intern assisting with the Quarterbacks. He quickly rose within the staff, transitioning to roles in the Recruiting Department and eventually helping with the Wide Receivers.

PERSONAL
A native of Buffalo, South Dakota, Brown completed his Bachelor of Arts in 2016 from Dickinson State University prior to completing his Master of Arts at Oregon state in 2020. Brown now resides in Bemidji with his wife Katy and their son TJ.