Dennis Brown (quarterback)

Dennis Brown

Brown (No. 22) from 1968 Michiganensian
Sport(s)	Football
Biographical details
Born	c. 1948
Playing career
1966–1968	Michigan
Position(s)	Quarterback
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1971	Dartmouth (freshman coach)
1972–1979	Michigan (assistant)
1980–1986	West Virginia (def. coordinator)
1987–1988	Arizona State (def. coordinator)
Accomplishments and honors
Awards
AP All-Big Ten Conference Quarterback, 1968

Dennis M. Brown is a former American football player and coach. He played at the quarterback position for the University of Michigan from 1966 to 1968, the final two years of Bump Elliott's tenure as the school's head football coach. In his first start at quarterback, Brown broke two Big Ten Conference single-game records with 338 yards of total offense and 61 plays. At the end of his playing career at Michigan, he held most of the school's career passing records, including passing yards (2,534), pass attempts (388), and touchdown passes (20). He later served as an assistant football coach at Michigan (1972–1979), West Virginia University (1980–1987), and Arizona State University (1988–1990).

Brown grew up in Lincoln Park, Michigan. He attended Lincoln Park High School, where he was an all-state football player and also served as co-captain of the basketball and baseball teams.

Brown enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1965. As a sophomore in 1966, he was a back-up to quarterback Dick Vidmer. His first appearance for Michigan was as a substitute for Vidmer in a 41–0 victory over Oregon State on September 17, 1966. He completed both of his passes, including a touchdown pass to Jim Berline. Brown also saw brief action in a loss to an undefeated Michigan State team (0–1 passing) and against Minnesota (1–1 passing).

In 1967, Brown started six games at quarterback for a Michigan team that finished the season with a 4–6 record. It was Michigan's last losing season for more than 40 years.

Vidmer began the 1967 season as the starting quarterback, and Michigan won one game and lost three under Vidmer. Brown was brought into the game in the second half against Michigan State. Although the Wolverines lost the game 34–0, Brown's performance was good enough to win him the starting assignment the following week. Teammate George Hoey later recalled, "From an emotional standpoint, I know that when Dennis came in, he was just a spark plug. He had a fiery spirit and that permeated through the team." Vidmer had the stronger throwing arm, but Brown was more mobile.