Hall of Fame
Willie Brown made an immediate impact on the early success of the Northwest men's basketball program.
After a standout career with North Calhoun High School in Bruce, Brown came to Northwest and guided the Rangers to back-to-back winning seasons under coach Henry B. Koon from 1970-72.
Northwest totaled a 13-9 overall mark and finished as division runner-ups in 1970-71, before responding the next season with a 25-5 overall record, 12-0 division mark and the program's first-ever MACJCÂ Championship.
Brown ranks eighth in Northwest school history with 1,073 career points and is also first in field goals made and attempted, fourth in scoring average (22.4 ppg) and 10th in rebounds/game (7.9). He finished as the MACJC's top scorer as a sophomore, averaging 25.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game.
Like his teammate, Wilbert Beard, Brown also continued his playing career at Southeastern Louisiana from 1972-74 and helped guide the Lions to the Gulf South Conference title and a second place finish in the NCAA Division II Tournament in 1973.
He completed his bachelor of science at Mississippi Industrial College in Holly Springs before receiving additional degrees in physical education, social studies and special education from the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University.Â
Brown held several coaching and teaching positions after his playing career. In 1978, he was hired by president Koon at Northwest and served in a variety of roles, including physical education instructor, director of intramural sports and assistant men's and women's basketball coach under the direction of legendary head coaches Harry Adair and Kenneth "Cat" Robbins.
Brown was then hired by Calhoun City High School in 1990 as the head basketball coach, achieving his best season in 1993-94 where his Wildcats finished as the Region 4-2A and Class 2A North Half champions. For his efforts, Brown was awarded Coach of the Year honors by the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.
In 1994, Brown departed for the same role at Bruce High School where he coached both high school and junior high basketball, in addition to his duties as head track coach and a three-year stint as assistant football coach from 1994-96. He coached until his retirement in 2010.
He now enjoys retirement with his wife, Shirley, and his family, including his great-grandsons, Cori and Caysen. He's currently an active member and deacon at Jackson Chapel Church in Bruce.
