Sports

Football Head Coach Charles Brown ’12 Emphasizes Selflessness and Overcoming Adversity 

Head Coach Charles Brown ’12 came to Andover as a post-graduate and dedicated himself to understanding the values of Andover Football. His experience playing gave him insight on the hopes he holds for his players in the program and beyond Andover, demonstrating how Brown’s compassion and mentorship extend beyond the field.

Elizandro Periera ’27 spoke on how Coach Brown offers additional resources for the team to excel in both athletics and academics. He works out with the team in the gym and offers study hours for the players to attend.

“Coach Brown is super consistent. He’s always there, always focused on making us a better team. Even when the results don’t show it right away, he and the coaches work hard every year and every week to build a strong team. He’s the first one up to open the gym for our two-a-day workouts, and he’s the last one there during practice, always offering support. Even outside of football, he hosts study halls twice a week to help players catch up on schoolwork. He really wants us to succeed in all areas of life here at Andover,” said Periera.

Playing as a linebacker at Andover and then at Bowdoin College, Coach Brown reflected on the support he received from coaches along the way after tearing his ACL. He emphasized on how his season at Andover symbolized a time of transformation, teaching him how to overcome obstacles and deal with major football losses. 

“It was tough… It taught me about adversity: what to do when things don’t go your way. Despite not winning, I formed lifelong friendships with teammates and connected with people I never would have met if I had stayed in California. The experience showed me that there’s value in the struggle and in the relationships you build along the way,” said Brown.

Although kind and good-natured, Brown also recognizes the value of challenging players and pushing them out of their comfort zones. 

Periera said, “He’s definitely a friendly coach, but he knows when to get intense. When things get tough in practice or he needs to make a point, he’ll step up and get serious. There have been plenty of times when he’s had to push us to show us the mistakes we’re making. I think he’s doing the right things as a coach to make sure we improve as a team.”

Logan Umbach ’25 noted three of the main values that Brown leads by: discipline, camaraderie, and respect. Umbach praised Brown for his problem-solving skills and his commitment in building a tight-knit community.

“We have morning lifts every Monday and Wednesday, and you can’t be late for those. There’s a dress code, too, and the same rules apply to practice… Friendship and respect for others are also really important to him. At the start of the year, we had a couple of tussles during practice, and Coach was really good about helping us sort things out. Lastly, I think brotherhood and teamwork are key. We’ve done team bonding exercises and challenges, and he really values that,” said Umbach.

Brown also emphasized selflessness and a strong work ethic as pillars to building a solid foundation for the team.

Coach Brown said, “We have five core values: family, selflessness, effort, sportsmanship, and discipline… Selflessness is key in football because if one person doesn’t do their job, the play falls apart. Effort is about giving 100 percent [in] every play, because the next play isn’t guaranteed… Discipline is about showing up, doing what’s needed, and staying consistent, even when things are tough. These values are not just for football but for life in general.”

After his ACL injury, Brown acted as a source of support for Andover Football, with his involvement in coaching growing in college. He serves as the 6th Head Football Coach at Andover.

“Coach [Leon] Mo [Modeste] and Mr. Ventre encouraged me to stay involved, so even though I couldn’t play, I stayed on the sidelines, supporting and coaching my [Andover] teammates. That continued at Bowdoin, where I tore my ACL again several times. Despite the injuries, I found my role helping others. I officially started coaching here at Andover as an assistant to Coach Mo, and I took over after two years,” said Brown.

Looking ahead, Coach Brown shared his aspirations for the team to overcome the adversities and tough losses they may face this season. 

“Right now, we’re [at] 0-2, but the message is that the rest of the season isn’t set in stone. It’s about how you respond when things are tough. I also want them to take away lessons in work ethic, discipline, and learning from their mistakes,” said Brown.