Dan Brown

Dan Brown was born in Orange, Ca. on June 28, 1958, to Bart and Sue Brown. He married his high school sweetheart Mindy Kemp in 1980 and they were blessed with six children. Dan grew up in Norco, California with his ten brothers and four sisters. He played football at Mount San Jacinto College and received a scholarship from Boise State. As a linebacker at Boise State, Dan was a member of the 1980 Division 1AA national championship team. After playing at Boise State he became a graduate assistant and eventually became a fulltime coach. After six seasons with Boise State, Dan went onto coach at the University of New Mexico, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Portland State University; Birmingham Barracudas (CFL); Memphis Pharaohs (USFL). Coach Brown returned to Boise State in 1996 as Interim Defensive Coordinator. In 1997, Dan became the linebacker coach and recruiting coordinator at California State University, Fresno. In 2001, Coach Dan Brown took over as Defensive Coordinator at Fresno State. Under Coach Brown's leadership, Fresno State had the WAC's top defense two times -- leading the conference in both scoring and total defense. Twenty-three of Coach Brown's defensive players have gone on to play professional football. During his tenure at Fresno State, the team has gained national prominence and enjoyed unprecedented success. In the past ten seasons, Fresno State has played in nine post-season bowl games. Dan Brown had many hobbies, such as golf and horses. But Dan's heart was his friends and family. The inclusion of family and friends was always more important than the activity. He loved his family first and foremost. In life and in death, Dan Brown exemplified the qualities of humility, faith, and selfless leadership. Above all, Coach Dan Brown will be forever remembered for the depth of his love and his faith. His Faith and love for friends, family, and football lives on. He is preceded in death by his father, Bart Brown. Dan is survived by Mindy, his wife of nearly 29 years; their six children, Korissa, Tara Mackey and her husband Scott, Larry, Eric, Travis, and Jordan; and two grandchildren-J.T. and Trevyn Mackey. Dan is also survived by his mother Sue; sisters, Vickie Vaipulu and her husband, Steve of Riverside, Ca., Ellen Drinkwater and her husband Mark, also of Riverside, Debbie DiThomas and her husband Tony of Colton, Ca., and Mary Annette Kelley and her husband Dr. Wm. Kelley of Soldotna, Ak. Dan Brown is also survived by ten brothers, Ron and his wife Tess, of the Philippines, Bill and his wife Karen of Riverside, Ca., Greg and his wife Dianne of Thousand Oaks, Ca., Randy and his wife Kelly of Huntington Beach, Ca., David and his wife Cyd of Pasadena, Ca., Gerry and his wife Peggy of Romoland, Ca., Chuck and his wife Yvonne of Norco, Ca., Jamie and his wife Sue of San Jacinto, Ca., John and his wife Joanne of Hemet, Ca., and Dennis and his wife Michelle of Riverside, Ca.. Dan is also survived by 67 nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved deeply. A Viewing will be held at St. Paul Newman Center on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Paul Newman Center on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Fresno State chapter, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Attn: Jamal Jones, 5724 N. Fresno St. #2, Fresno, Ca 93710; or Dan Brown's Children's College Memorial Fund, Educational Employees Credit Union, 9515 N. Sommerville, Fresno, Ca. 93720. SERENITY FUNERAL SERVICES 5042 North Fresno Street Fresno, Ca. (559)244-6330