Madison Reporter

Former Wisconsin running backs Coach Gary Brown is being fondly remembered by many of the players he coached over a career that spanned decades. 

"Just a small sample of the light Coach Brown was to everyone around him and how he brought the energy every single day," Badgers safety Collin Wilder said in a Twitter post that included a video of Brown. "His love was so genuine and it went beyond the football field. Rest in Heaven, Coach."

Brown passed away on the evening of April 10 after a long battle with cancer.

The former NFL running back had been struggling with his health and was in hospice care "for the last couple of weeks" in his hometown of Williamsport, Pa., a report on 247sports.com said this week.

Brown started his college career as a running back at Penn State and was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the 1991 NFL Draft. His best seasons were in 1993, when he rushed for 1,002 yards and six touchdowns with the San Diego Chargers; and in 1998, when he raced for 1,063 yards with the New York Giants. 

Brown began coaching at the local high school in his hometown. After several college coaching jobs, he moved up to the NFL, spending three years as running backs coach for the Cleveland Browns, followed by six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. 

Brown joined the Badgers' program as running backs coach for the 2021-2022 season, a report from Fox 11 Sports said this week. Though he coached for just a season at Wisconsin due to health issues, Brown made quite an impression on his charges, with freshmen running back Braelon Allen joining those who posted odes to the coach over social media after word of his death began to spread.

"This one hurts…rest easy coach," Allen tweeted, quoted by Badger247.

Wisconsin hired Brown to replace John Settle in March 2021. But Brown stepped away from the program in March of this year, with Al Johnson being named as his replacement.

"I am deeply saddened by Gary's passing," Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst said in a statement quoted by Badger247. "Though he was only on our staff for a year he had a profound impact on our players and our program. We are all better people for having known Gary. He was a tremendous person, a terrific coach and a joy to be around. He had great energy and passion for life and that showed every day."

In all, Brown coached in the NFL for nine seasons, including six with Dallas.  

"Gary Brown had a big heart partnered with a big smile and a big personality," Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said in a statement quoted by Badger247. "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 family, football and life was evident each day."

While in Dallas, Brown served as a mentor to some of the game's best backs, including Ezekiel Elliott, DeMarco Murray and Darren McFadden.

"Great Father, Husband, Coach, and Mentor," Murray—who was named to three Pro Bowls under Brown's tutelage—posted on Twitter, quoted by Badger247. "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."

Brown was 52 years old. He is survived by his wife, Kim; his daughters, Malena and Dorianna; and his son, Tre.