Bio

Lance Brown was named as the first head coach of the men's and women's wrestling programs at Jarvis Christian University in July 2022. He will be responsible for starting and growing both programs at JCU.

Brown has coached at the high school level for more than 10 years, serving as a head coach for eight. He spent three years at West Hills College Lemoore as assistant coach to California Hall of Fame Wrestling Coach Kent Olson, where he was a part of three conference championships, a regional championship, and a team 3rd place finish at the California Community College Athletic Association State Championship. In 2012, he was honored as the South Regional Assistant Coach of the Year and was on the California USA Wrestling National team coaching staff.

Prior to becoming a college and high school wrestling coach, Brown was a professional indoor football head coach. In that role, he prepared football players for opportunities with the NFL, Canadian Football League, and Arena Football Leagues. He played indoor professionally as a journeyman offensive/defensive lineman, earning All-American honors twice in minor league football. Later he would have workouts with several NFL teams before leaving football due to injuries. In 2008, he was inducted to the Minor League Football News Hall of Fame for his playing contributions.

Brown's role will be an important one as he comes in as the first head coach of two new teams. He will have the opportunity to build the program his way, while also working to grow the sport of wrestling here in Texas.

"I am very excited to be the first wrestling coach at Jarvis Christian," Brown said. "It's a HBCU with history and tradition of academic and athletic success. Being able to start a new wrestling program at the college level helps grow the sport not only as a whole, but in Texas. JCU is providing a great opportunity for student-athletes to stay close to home in Texas."

JCU will be one of the rare HBCUs with a men's wrestling program, but it will be the only HBCU with a women's wrestling team. Brown will have the opportunity to help continue the growth of women's wrestling.

"Another big part of the program will be our women's team," Brown said. "Women's wrestling is the fastest growing sport in the country, if not the world."

Brown was born and raised in Armona, California. He graduated from Lemoore High School. After graduation, Brown attended West Hills Community College and Ashworth College, earning a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Brown received his Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership at Columbia Southern University, and is currently in the process of completing his Doctorate of Education in Sports and Athletic Management at North Central University.

Coach Brown has been married to his wife Kathryn since 2004. They have two daughters - Mackenzie and Jazmine. Mackenzie is in high school and Jazmine is a former collegiate wrestler and national qualifier.