River States Conference

Wiley Brown Named Men's Head Basketball Coach at IU Southeast

10/19/2007 12:00:00 AM

Brown succeeds Walt Corbean who resigned from IU Southeast in August to become the director of basketball operations at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C.

"It is truly an honor for me to be named head coach here at IU Southeast," said Brown. "It has always been my dream to be a college basketball head coach, and I am excited for being granted the opportunity to join this wonderful university and basketball family."

IU Southeast Chancellor Dr. Sandra Patterson-Randles believes that Brown is exactly the correct fit for the growing campus. "Great athletics, like great education as a whole, is fueled by enthusiasm, and that certainly describes Wiley Brown. He has a wealth of experience, a great track record of encouraging players to achieve their full potential, and a positive attitude that is contagious," said Patterson-Randles. "We are delighted that Wiley will be joining the campus community as our new Men's Head Basketball Coach. With the transition of IU Southeast into a full-service, residential campus, this is an exciting time for our institution, and Wiley's leadership will be a real plus to our momentum."

A starting forward on the NCAA Division I National Champion basketball team at the University of Louisville in 1980 and a member of the 1982 Final Four team, Brown has served in multiple capacities in the Louisville athletic department since 1992. Brown served as strength and conditioning coordinator under both former Louisville Hall of Fame Head Coach Denny Crum and current Louisville Head Coach Rick Pitino for a total of 13 years.

In 2003, Brown served as an interim assistant coach for the Louisville men's basketball program. For the past three years, Brown has been fortunate to serve Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich and the university as the assistant director of outreach and most recently as the director of community enrichment. During that time he has managed fundraising efforts for outreach programs throughout greater Louisville and directed the CARDSfit program.

Coach Brown is energized about the Grenadiers' returning players and is ready to begin practice. "I am eager to get on the court and start coaching! I think that Walt (Corbean) left a great team here, and I am ready to continue the success he had here at IU Southeast."

"It is really easy for me to love this team already," said Brown. "The guys coming back this year can really shoot the ball and are filled with lots of enthusiasm."

Brown is no stranger to playing at a competitive level. As a player at Louisville, Brown posted career totals of 699 points, 407 rebounds and 121 assists, helping the Cardinals to a combined 101-30 four-year record.

After finishing his successful collegiate basketball playing career, Brown joined the National Football League (NFL) where he played defensive end for two seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. During his time with the Eagles' organization, Brown played under the direction of Dick Vermeil and Marion Campbell.

After his brief stint in the NFL, Brown returned to basketball. For seven years Brown played professional basketball in the International Federation of Basketball where he traveled throughout the world. Brown spent one year with the CBA Louisville Catbirds and the remaining six years in
Spain, France, and Italy.

A native of Sylvester, Ga., Brown kept a promise to his mother by earning his bachelor's degree in 1992 from the University of Louisville. He majored in communications, health education and Pan African studies. He was twice named to the U of L honor roll. He and his wife, Anne-Marie, reside in Louisville and have one son, Caleb.

On welcoming Brown to IU Southeast:

"Great athletics, like great education as a whole, is fueled by enthusiasm, and that certainly describes Wiley Brown. He has a wealth of experience, a great track record of encouraging players to achieve their full potential, and a positive attitude that is contagious."

On Brown's leadership during this exciting time for IU Southeast:

On welcoming Brown to IU Southeast:

"I am thrilled to have basketball superstar Wiley Brown as our new Head Men's Basketball Coach at IU Southeast! His coaching philosophy fits well with the mission of our campus, placing emphasis on student success on and off the court."

On Brown's skills:

On Brown's commitment:

"I am very impressed with Coach Brown's commitment to academics and student development. Both are major goals of our intercollegiate athletic program here at IU Southeast."

On Brown's character:

"Coach Brown embodies everything that is positive about intercollegiate athletics, and we are absolutely thrilled to have him join our department."

On Brown's experience:

"I have no doubt that Coach Brown's playing and coaching experiences will have a positive impact on the IU Southeast Men's Basketball Program."

On being honored:

"It is truly an honor for me to be named head coach here at IU Southeast."

On realizing dream:

"It has always been my dream to be a college basketball head coach and I am excited for being granted the opportunity to join this wonderful university and basketball family."

On being a good fit:

"I really feel that this university and is a great fit for me. I like the family atmosphere and the warmth I have felt from everyone I have encountered."

On coaching style:

"I have an aggressive coaching style and like transition basketball. I want us to be smart players on the court and give maximum effort at all times."

On this year's team:

"I am eager to get on the court and start coaching! I think that Walt (Corbean) left a great team here, and I am ready to continue the success he had here at IU Southeast."

"It is really easy for me to love this team already. The guys coming back this year can really shoot the ball and are filled with lots of enthusiasm. We do have a young team, but we also have lots of potential for a successful season and hopefully a run at post-season success."

On Louisville Athletic Director Tom Jurich:

"I have been fortunate to work under the best athletic director in the country in Tom Jurich for the past 10 years. His strong leadership and support has prepared me for this wonderful opportunity here at IU Southeast."

On Denny Crum and Rick Pitino:

"I have learned a lot over the years from Denny Crum and Rick Pitino during my time at Louisville. I have been blessed by have strong role models and mentors in my life who believe in me. I will forever be in debt to them for teaching me and believing in my abilities as a coach and a motivator."