Former Dallas Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown has passed away at 52
Gary Brown, who coached Ezekiel Elliott and DeMarco Murray to rushing titles with the Dallas Cowboys, passed away Sunday night in his hometown of Williamsport, Pa., his wife Kim confirmed to the Star-Telegram. He was 52.
Brown, who spent last season coaching running backs at the University of Wisconsin, was with the Cowboys for seven seasons, from 2013-19.
He was not retained by the Cowboys after Mike McCarthy was hired in 2020 and shortly thereafter doctors found a malignant tumor near Brown’s pancreas.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones released a statement on Brown’s death Sunday night.
“Gary Brown had a big heart partnered with a big smile and a big personality. His energy and spirit were infectious. He lit up every room he walked into and touched the lives of those who knew him in such a positive way. Everyone who knew him, loved him. He meant so much to the players he coached and the coaches he coached with. His love for his family, football and life was evident each day.
“He continued to fight, and he never gave up. My family and the Dallas Cowboys family are heartbroken, and our love and support are with his wife, Kim, his daughters, Malena and Dorianna, and his son, Tre.”
Jason Garrett, the Cowboys head coach while Brown was a part of the team, said, “Gary Brown was simply one of the best people I’ve ever been around in my life. He was a heckuva player, an excellent coach and an even better person. GB was a wonderful husband and father. He was a dear friend to so many. So genuine. So caring. So loyal. He always had your back.”
Brown sat out the 2020 season before joining the staff at Wisconsin in 2021.
He was hospitalized in last December due to septic shock and ultimately succumbed to liver and kidney failure.
Brown played in the NFL from 1991-99, for the Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers and the New York Giants. He began his NFL coaching career in 2009 with the Cleveland Browns before joining the Cowboys in 2013.
The Giants paid homage to Brown’s death on Twitter: “We mourn the passing of Gary Brown, a great man who played for Big Blue for two years — including a 1,000-yard season in 1998. Once a Giant, Always a Giant.”
Under Brown’s tutelage, Murray won the NFL rushing title in 2014 with 1,845 yards, while surpassing the NFL’s all-time rushing champ Emmitt Smith as the franchise’s single-season record holder.
Murray, now a coach at Oklahoma, reacted to Brown’s death on Twitter Sunday night: “Great Father, Husband, Coach, and Mentor. Appreciate you and your family more than anything GB… Thank you for teaching me the way on the field and in life. Appreciate you Gary Brown.”
His best achievement as a coach job may have come in 2016 when Darren McFadden rushed for 1,089 yards in 10 starts, averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
Brown then coached Elliott to rushing titles in 2016 and 2018 with 1,631 and 1,434 yards, respectively. Elliott rushed for 1,357 yards and averaged 4.5 yards per carry in Brown’s last season in 2019.
Brown is survived by his wife Kim, two daughters, Malena and Dorianna, and one son, Tre.
This story was originally published April 10, 2022 at 9:32 PM.
