Mack Brown: Leadership Runs in the Family

Brown and a serviceman (used by permission)

“It’s in our blood.”

            That’s Mack Brown’s description of how coaching and leadership is part of the Brown families' heritage. And his older brother Watson says the same thing.

The heritage is also in education.

            “Everyone in our family was in the school business,” said Mack between photo shoots in Austin, just days before the start of preseason practice. “All the male role models in our family were people who believed in education, were principals and coaches.”

            Their grandfather, Eddie Watson, was a head coach and principal at Cookeville Central High School. At that time, he was the winningest high school football coach in Tennessee.

            Their father, Melvin, was a head coach, principal and superintendent.

            Their parents ran a disciplined, strict home and made sure their children worked hard, did well in school and developed character. Those same traits are prominent in the Brown brothers’ coaching styles today. They have a younger brother Mel as well. Their cousin Mel Brown, now principal at Mt. Juliet High School, is one of the winningest high school baseball coaches in Tennessee history. He built McGavock into a powerhouse program and then coached at Lipscomb.

            Both Watson and Mack attended Vanderbilt and played football there. Mack also played at Florida State.

            “Watson went to Vanderbilt to be a sportswriter,” said Mack. “And I went to Vanderbilt to be an attorney. But then our paths changed.”

“Our grandmother tried to get us to do something other than coaching. But it’s in our blood. Watching our grandfather and father had a big impression on us. Our grandfather was a strong coach.”