JCU Tabs Lance Brown as Head Coach of New Men's and Women's Wrestling Teams
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Posted By: Kennedy Williams on August 04, 2022 Jarvis Christian University Athletic Director Bobby Ladner announced the hiring of Lance Brown as the head coach of the new men's and women's wrestling teams. Brown has coached at the high school level for more than 10 years, serving as a head coach for eight. He spent three years at West Hills College Lemoore as assistant coach to California Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Kent Olson, where he was a part of three conference championships, a regional championship, and a team 3rd place finish at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship. In 2012, he was honored as the South Regional Assistant Coach of the Year and was on the California USA Wrestling National team coaching staff. Prior to becoming a college and high school wrestling coach, Brown was a professional indoor football head coach. In that role, he prepared football players for opportunities with the NFL, Canadian Football League, and Arena Football Leagues. He played indoor professionally as a journeyman offensive/defensive lineman, earning All-American honors twice in minor league football. Later he would have workouts with several NFL teams before leaving football due to injuries. In 2008, he was inducted to the Minor League Football News Hall of Fame for his playing contributions. Brown's role will be an important one as he comes in as the first head coach of two new teams. He will have the opportunity to build the program his way, while also working to grow the sport of wrestling here in Texas. "I am very excited to be the first wrestling coach at Jarvis Christian," Brown said. "It's a HBCU with history and tradition of academic and athletic success. Being able to start a new wrestling program at the college level helps grow the sport not only as a whole, but in Texas. JCU is providing a great opportunity for student-athletes to stay close to home in Texas." JCU will be one of the rare HBCUs with a men's wrestling program, but it will be the only HBCU with a women's wrestling team. Brown will have the opportunity to help continue the growth of women's wrestling. "Another big part of the program will be our women's team," Brown said. "Women's wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the country, if not the world." Ladner believes Brown is the perfect fit to take on the task of starting a new athletic program at JCU. "We are excited to bring in an experienced and accomplished individual like Coach Brown to help build and lead our new men's and women's wrestling teams," Ladner said. "I believe Coach Brown is a great fit for Jarvis, and we are excited to see everything he accomplishes here." Brown was born and raised in Armona, California. He graduated from Lemoore High School. After graduation, Brown attended West Hills Community College and Ashworth College, earning a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Brown received his Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership at Columbia Southern University, and is currently in the process of completing his Doctorate of Education in Sports and Athletic Management at North Central University. Coach Brown has been married to his wife Kathryn since 2004. They have two daughters - Mackenzie and Jazmine. Mackenzie is in high school and Jazmine a former collegiate wrestler and national qualifier. The JCU men's wrestling program will one of four active active programs among the HBCUs. Morgan State will be adding wrestling for the 2023 season, and will be the first NCAA Division I HBCU with the sport. The JCU women's wrestling program will be the only active women's program among HBCUs. JCU is also just the fifth college in Texas to add the sport. JCU joins fellow NAIA members Wayland Baptist University and Texas Wesleyan University in competition in the state. Schreiner University and Texas Woman's University compete at the NCAA level. JCU will join the Sooner Athletic Conference for wrestling since the Red River Athletic Conference does not sponsor the sport. JCU will join Oklahoma City University, Texas Wesleyan, Wayland Baptist, Central Christian College, and Arkansas Baptist College in competition on the men's side. On the women's side, JCU will join Texas Wesleyan, Wayland Baptist, Oklahoma City, Central Christian, Lyon College, and Missouri Baptist University. SOURCE Jarvis Christian University If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Kennedy Williams
From Loganville, GA Spelman College class of 2020 Member Since July 2016 |
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