Coach of the Year

Bahamian Chris ‘Fireman’ Brown received his first accolade in his young head coaching career, walking away with Clayton State University Lakers’ prestigious Coach of The Year Award.

It was a tough year for his men and women’s track and field teams but he weathered the storm and showed why he was given the job. The Lakers canceled their indoor season due to the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic but began their outdoor season on February 27. After a trying, but successful, season, Brown was grateful to win his first award as a head coach, saying it’s an honor.

“First and foremost, I would thank the Lord for blessing me to be able to do what I do and see a new day. To be able to accomplish this was nothing but the good works of the good Lord. This award is very promising for me. It shows that with hard work, perseverance, dedication, and patience, anything is possible. I am very honored,” Brown said.

Clayton State is located in Morrow, Georgia, and competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II Peach Belt Conference (PBC). The women finished in the top five in all their meets while the men placed in the top three in five of six meets. The men’s 4×400 meters (m) relay squad was named All-Region and went on to finish the season undefeated. A total of 23 student-athletes were named All-Conference. The men captured three PBC championship titles and the women took one event title.

“I thank the committee for recognizing the hard work of myself and the student-athletes,” Brown said. “Being able to keep everyone focused, in the right frame of mind and being able to execute … there is a lot that went on behind the scenes. I am grateful and thankful that all the athletes who I coached this season bought into the program and they were focused. They were determined to go out there and achieve their goals. With that being said and done, I am grateful and honored that they all trusted in me to be able to lead them. It shows that hard work pays off.”

Brown, a five-time Olympian, and Olympic relay gold, silver and two-time bronze medalist, was impressed with the athletes who persevered despite not having an indoor season. It was a tough start to their outdoor season but he loved the resilience of his athletes.

“I was very impressed,” Brown said. “We started off the season a little shaky. I had about eight young ladies and several guys opt out. At first it was rocky but the ones who stayed the course, believed in themselves and in training, and went out and made a huge sacrifice. I owe it all to the athletes because they stayed the course and focused. They believed anything is possible and they went out with a vengeance and executed. Everyone knew their role and position and did what we were supposed to do and we came home victorious with everyone coming out healthy.”

There was one school record set during the season. It was done on the men’s side by Justin Johnson in the long jump. He leapt 7.05m (23’ 1-1/2”) at the PBC Championships back in May. He surpassed the previous record twice this past season. A total of six PBC Athletes of the Week awards were handed out to the program.

“I am looking forward to more awards and hopefully bringing a championship here to the university. I also want to continue to grow. I am looking to grow the sport and to giving back,” Brown said.

The Lakers are set to start the 2021-2022 season on Friday, December 3.

Brown is hoping that the coach of the year award is the first of many to come, and said it felt like being on the podium. He asked Bahamians to pray for him and his family during this time of COVID-19, and he will continue to pray for The Bahamas.

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