2011 North Carolina Media Guide
Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/39383
Ken Browning Running Backs Coach 18th Season at UNC THE BROWNING FILE Date and Place of Birth: Born March 2, 1946, in Durham, N.C. Family: Wife, Susan; sons, Chuck, John and Joe Education: Guilford College, 1968 Playing Experience: 1964-67, Guilford College Coaching Experience: The longest tenured assistant coach in North Carolina history, Ken Browning enters his 18th season with the Tar Heels and fifth as the running backs coach. Browning has coached on the offensive and defensive side of the ball at UNC, including three seasons as tight ends coach (2001-04) and 11 years as defensive tackles coach (1994-2000, 2005-06). Everett Withers is the fifth head coach Browning has worked under at North Carolina. Browning also oversees Caro- lina’s camps and clinics. In 2011, Browning received the Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award by the National Football Foundation and the College Football Hall of Fame. He was also named to Rivals.com’s all-star ACC coaching staff. A different running back has led the team in rushing in each of the last three seasons under Browning’s tutelage, a testament to his ability to adapt to changes in personnel. Shaun Draughn led the team in rushing in 2008, Ryan Houston in 2009 and Johnny White in 2010. Of that threesome, only Houston returns in 2011. Draughn, who started and rushed for 160 yards in the Music City Bowl vs. Tennessee, and White, who was the team’s leading rusher last year with 720, were both seniors in 2010. White, who was on pace for a 1,000-yard season until he fratured his clavicle at FSU, was drafted in the fifth round by the Buffalo Bills in the 2011 NFL Draft. Houston elected to redshirt last season and is the Tar Heels’ only proven runner. He will face competition from redshirt freshman Giovani Bernard, junior Hunter Furr and January enrollee Travis Riley. In 18 seasons in Chapel Hill, Browning has developed a number of outstand- ing players, including first-round NFL draft picks Vonnie Holliday (DT), Marcus Jones (DT/DE) and Ryan Sims (DT) and second-round picks Rick Terry (DT) and Russell Davis (DT). He also recruited and coached 2008 first-round NFL draft pick Kentwan Balmer. Sports Illustrated selected North Carolina’s defensive tackles, which Browning coached, in its positional “Dream Team” in its 1998 preseason college football issue. In 2002, Sims, who played under Browning for three years, was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the first round. Browning is in his second stint coaching on the offensive side of the ball at UNC. He coached Carolina’s tight ends for four seasons (2001-04) under then-head coach John Bunting, where he developed several standout players. With Browning on the defensive side of the ball, the Tar Heels led the ACC in total de- fense from 1995-97 and finished No. 2 in the nation in yards allowed in 1996 and 1997. The Tar Heels were third in the country against the run in 1996 allowing 73.9 yards per game. In 1997, Carolina was fourth in the nation stopping the run as op- ponents averaged 77.9 yards per contest. UNC held opponents to less than 50 yards rushing 54 • TarHeelBlue.com 1968-69, Patrick Henry High School, Va. 1969-70, Martinsville High School, Va. 1971-75, Ledford High School, N.C. 1976-93, Northern Durham High School, N.C. 1994-1999, North Carolina (assistant coach/defensive tackles) 2000, North Carolina (assistant coach/defensive coordinator/defensive tackles) 2001-04, North Carolina (assistant coach/tight ends) 2005-06, North Carolina (assistant coach/defensive tackles) 2007-present, North Carolina (assistant coach/running backs) in six games and less than 100 yards in nine of 12 games. Promoted to defensive coordinator in 2000, Browning directed a UNC squad that set a school record with an ACC-best 53 sacks. Carolina finished 19th in the nation against the run, allowing just 103.5 yards per game, and was second in the league and 30th in the nation in total defense. One of the state’s most decorated high school coaches, Browning joined the Tar Heel staff in 1994 and has coached in some of the most memorable Carolina football games. He has been a part of 10 bowl games and was on the staff in 1996-97 when UNC had a combined record of 21-3 and finished ranked in the top 10 both seasons. Browning was the head coach and athletic director at Northern Durham High School for 18 years. He posted a 178-35 record and won the 1993 4-A state title and Shrine Bowl. Over his last three years, Northern built a 43-2 record and he was named the North Carolina Coach of the Year by the Associated Press in 1992 and 1993. He became only the third coach to win both the state title and Shrine Bowl in the same year. Browning and his wife, Susan, have three sons – Chuck, John and Joe. The Browning Family: (front row) Jack, Angie, C.J., Christie, Susan, Anne, Patrick; (back row) Chuck, John, Ken, Joe