A Milestone for Gardner‑Webb
Gardner‑Webb University has named Mike Brown as the first head coach of its newly established women's flag football program, a move that underscores the institution's commitment to expanding opportunities for female athletes.
Brown arrives with a fifteen‑year résumé that blends grassroots development with high‑level competition. His most recent stop was at Lees‑McRae College, where he guided the program through its maiden season and compiled an 11‑8 record while orchestrating an offense that averaged 44 points per game.
Under Brown’s direction, the Lees‑McRae offense was prolific, while the defense limited opponents to just 14 points per contest, a balance that caught the attention of the Conference Carolinas, where he served as chairman during the league’s inaugural flag‑football season.
Prior to Lees‑McRae, Brown honed his craft at Mandarin High School in Jacksonville, Florida, where he transformed the program into a perennial playoff contender. He also served as the varsity offensive line and quarterbacks coach from 2020 to 2021 and previously coordinated the passing game at Prescott High School in Arizona between 2015 and 2019.
His expertise extends beyond the high school ranks. Brown has been an active participant in USA Football’s 7v7 and 5v5 platforms, contributed to national training camps, and earned a spot among the 18 coaches selected for the 2024 USA Select Bowl in Los Angeles. He currently holds the role of one of three national team scouts for USA Football.
Brown’s influence also reaches the community through the Girl Power 7v7 Flag Football League and the Queen Bee Sport Academy, initiatives that have engaged over 500 athletes. He founded these programs to provide competitive outlets and to foster leadership among young women.
Beyond the field, Brown brings a personal commitment to faith, family, and excellence. He joins his wife, Brandi, and their children — Michael, Grace, and Avaya — in Boiling Springs, North Carolina, where he will lead the program into its first season of varsity competition.
The university’s athletic director highlighted Brown’s blend of tactical acumen and character‑driven leadership as the ideal foundation for a program that aims to compete at the highest level of collegiate flag football.