Indiana Football has officially added a key piece to its new era under Curt Cignetti, naming Tyson Brown as the program’s Director of Athletic Performance. For a team looking to establish a tougher, more disciplined identity in the Big Ten, this hire is more than just a staff change-it’s a signal of intent.
Brown steps into the role with a résumé that spans nearly two decades and includes stints at both Power Five programs and the NFL. Most recently, he spent two seasons at UConn, where he helped guide the Huskies to back-to-back bowl appearances-something that hadn’t happened in Storrs since 2009-10.
That stretch included 18 wins across 2024 and 2025, the most successful two-year run in recent program history. For a school that’s often struggled to find consistency on the gridiron, Brown’s impact in the weight room clearly translated to results on the field.
Before UConn, Brown led Mississippi State’s strength and conditioning program from 2020 to 2024, a period that included three straight bowl trips under head coaches Mike Leach and Zach Arnett. The Bulldogs went 2-1 in those postseason games and notched nine wins during Leach’s second year-a mark the program hadn’t hit since 2014. That kind of sustained success doesn’t happen without a culture of physical preparation, and Brown was central to building that foundation.
Brown’s connection to Cignetti actually dates back to a brief stint at Elon in 2017, when Cignetti initially hired him. But when then-Washington State strength coach Jason Loscalzo left for the NFL, Brown stayed behind in Pullman and took over the Cougars’ strength program.
That decision paid off. Over six years at WSU-including two as the head strength coach-Brown was part of a run that saw the Cougars rack up 46 wins, five straight bowl appearances, and four top-three finishes in the Pac-12 North.
Working under Mike Leach during that time, Brown helped mold a team that consistently punched above its weight in one of the nation’s most competitive conferences.
His coaching journey also includes stops at South Florida (2013), Washington (2010-11), and internships with the Houston Texans, Baylor, and his alma mater, Sioux Falls. It was at Sioux Falls where Brown first made his mark-as a player on the 2006 NAIA national championship team, and later as a strength coach during the Cougars’ 2008 title run. That early success laid the groundwork for a career built on pushing athletes to their physical limits and preparing them to thrive in high-pressure moments.
Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Sioux Falls and a master’s from California University of Pennsylvania. He’s a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) and is certified by USA Weightlifting-credentials that underscore both his technical expertise and his commitment to athlete development.
For Indiana, this hire isn’t just about filling a vacancy. It’s about building a culture.
Cignetti is bringing in someone he trusts, someone who’s been part of winning programs at multiple levels, and someone who knows how to get the most out of his players. As the Hoosiers look to turn the page and climb the Big Ten ladder, Tyson Brown will be at the center of that transformation-setting the tone, setting the standard, and making sure this team is built from the ground up, the right way.