Kippy Brown, a longtime NFL assistant coach whose career stretched from college football into a run of stops around the league, has died at 71.
Brown’s coaching path began at Memphis State in 1978. From there, he worked at Louisville and Tennessee before landing his first NFL role as the New York Jets’ running backs coach in 1990. That move launched what became a lengthy professional run on the NFL sideline.
After a short return to Tennessee in 1993, Brown went on to coach with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and Seattle Seahawks. His final NFL job came in Seattle, where he served as wide receivers coach from 2010 to 2014.
Former Seahawks coach Pete Carroll paid tribute to Brown with a statement remembering both his personality and the way people responded to him. “He was a great friend to everybody, because he had such a positive, good, fun-loving spirit,” Carroll said.
“Everybody loved being around Kip. And he had a light about him, he wanted to have a good time and have fun and make things pleasant for everyone around him.
That’s why so many people have rallied around him in this last month or so and reached out to (his wife) Deon, being supportive and loving. He was a wonderful person, and my heart goes out to Deon and the family.
It’s a beautiful family.”
Doug Baldwin, who wideout for the Seahawks, also reflected on Brown’s impact in Seattle. “Kippy was the perfect person for us, for our group of guys who came in at that time-myself, Ricardo (Lockette), Jermaine, Golden, Sid,” Baldwin said. “Kippy and Sidney Rice paired really well together as being the elder statesmen in the room, helping us young guys get onboarded into the NFL life.”
In Other News...
Rays Suddenly Face Another Shane McClanahan Concern
Shane McClanahans return to the Rays was already carrying obvious significance, because every outing was part of the longer effort to reestablish one of the organizations most important arms after a back injury and a lengthy road back from Tommy John surgery and nerve issues. Instead, Tampa Bay has had to put the left-hander on the 15-day injured list with left forearm tightness, a development that quickly shifts attention from his progress to his availability.
The move leaves the Rays trying to navigate another early setback with a pitcher they had hoped could stabilize things as he worked back into major league form. To fill the opening, the club recalled right-hander Alex Cook from Triple-A Durham, a straightforward roster response on paper but one that underscores how fragile McClanahans comeback trail has become. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Hit A Familiar Wall In Another Frustrating Loss
Another rough night for the Rays came with a familiar script, one in which the lineup never found a foothold and the opposing starter dictated everything. Cal Quantrill was at the center of it, blanking Tampa Bay over seven innings and limiting the damage to just two singles and two walks while striking out five, as Texas rolled to a 6-0 win and kept the Rays searching for answers at the plate.
Shane McClanahan was locked in a tight game until the fifth, when the Rangers finally cracked it open and shifted the tone for good. The loss only added to the frustration around Tampa Bay, and it also put a spotlight on a matchup that has been especially unfriendly to the Rays whenever Quantrill takes the mound. [Read more 🡒]
Rays Make A Surprising Change In One Area Fans Trusted Most
The Rays have made a notable shakeup in an area that has long been one of the organizations strengths, parting ways with two members of their scouting department. Jeff Johnson, who served as manager of international scouting, and Rigoberto de los Santos, the Dominican Republic regional crosschecker and Santo Domingo area scout, are both out after the changes were first reported by industry sources and shared by Francys Romero on X.
It is a surprising turn for a club that continues to pair a strong major league record with a highly regarded farm system, even after recent trades have chipped away at some of its prospect depth. International scouting has been a crucial part of the Rays identity for years, so any reset there invites attention, especially with the organization still trying to keep its talent pipeline as deep and productive as ever. [Read more 🡒]