University of Memphis Athletics
Memphis Mourns Loss of Hall of Famer, Pioneer Kippy Brown
Sep 01, 2026 | Football, General
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The University of Memphis is mourning the loss of M Club and Tennessee Sports Hall of Famer Kippy Brown, who passed away Aug. 31 at the age of 71.
Brown played for the Tigers from 1974-77 and was a pioneer as the first Black quarterback in Memphis football history.
Brown was honored with the Billy J. Murphy Award and inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
In his first season as Memphis' starting quarterback, Brown led the Tigers to a 31-20 upset victory over No. 7 Auburn and a 7-4 overall record. During his four-year tenure with the Tigers, Memphis never had a losing season.
Following his successful playing career, Brown embarked on a distinguished coaching career that included stops at Memphis (State), Louisville and Tennessee, as well as eight NFL franchises: the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. Brown culminated his coaching career as a member of the Seahawks' coaching staff during their 2014 Super Bowl season.
Throughout his professional coaching career, Brown coached a number of notable players, including Dan Marino, Andre Johnson, Calvin "Megatron" Johnson, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Marshawn Lynch.
Originally from Sweetwater, Tennessee, Brown led Sweetwater High School to back-to-back Class A state championships in 1971 and 1972.
Brown is survived by his wife, Deon and two children, Jennifer and Jeome.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
Brown played for the Tigers from 1974-77 and was a pioneer as the first Black quarterback in Memphis football history.
Brown was honored with the Billy J. Murphy Award and inducted into the M Club Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
In his first season as Memphis' starting quarterback, Brown led the Tigers to a 31-20 upset victory over No. 7 Auburn and a 7-4 overall record. During his four-year tenure with the Tigers, Memphis never had a losing season.
Following his successful playing career, Brown embarked on a distinguished coaching career that included stops at Memphis (State), Louisville and Tennessee, as well as eight NFL franchises: the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans and Seattle Seahawks. Brown culminated his coaching career as a member of the Seahawks' coaching staff during their 2014 Super Bowl season.
Throughout his professional coaching career, Brown coached a number of notable players, including Dan Marino, Andre Johnson, Calvin "Megatron" Johnson, Golden Tate, Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse and Marshawn Lynch.
Originally from Sweetwater, Tennessee, Brown led Sweetwater High School to back-to-back Class A state championships in 1971 and 1972.
Brown is survived by his wife, Deon and two children, Jennifer and Jeome.
How to follow the Tigers: For complete information on Memphis Tigers Football, visit www.GoTigersGo.com and follow the team's social media channels on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
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