USD Alumnus Mike Brown '93 Named New York Knicks Head Coach

University of San Diego alumnus Mike Brown ’93 was named the head coach of one of the NBA’s most storied franchises, the New York Knicks, on Monday, July 7.

Brown played for the Toreros Men’s Basketball program from 1990-92 for Hank Egan and began his NBA career under the tutelage of fellow USD graduate and former NBA head coach Bernie Bickerstaff. Since then, in 25 years in the NBA he’s led three different franchises, collected two league coach of the year honors and won four NBA Championships.

“USD played a fundamental role in my development as a young man and eventually as an NBA coach,” Brown said Wednesday. “I have tremendous gratitude for the opportunity to play under Hall of Famer Hank Egan, most importantly just because he is just an outstanding person who taught me so many life lessons.”

Brown, 55, played two years at USD for Egan after transferring from Mesa Community College. It was Egan who introduced Brown to Bickerstaff; allowing Brown to get his start in the NBA. He is one of five former Torero hoopers to become an NBA head coach, joining Bickerstaff (’66), Eric Musselman (’87), David Fizdale (’96) and James Borrego (’01).

“The valued relationships that USD produces, led me to start my career under Bernie Bickerstaff,” Brown said. “I will always appreciate that first opportunity and the door that he opened to NBA coaching while taking me under his wing. His loyalty, friendship, and mentorship exemplifies the impact that USD has had on my life and makes me a proud Torero.”

In 1993 Brown earned a degree from USD in Business Finance. As a senior at USD in 1991-92, Brown started in 19 of 28 games, averaging 7.6 points and 3.1 rebounds. He deserved the team's Bugelli Leadership Award and was also a recipient of the Zable Athletic Excellence Award.

From 1997-99 Brown was an assistant for the Washington Wizards under Bickerstaff. Brown spent 2000-03 with the San Antonio Spurs with Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich – it was there that he won his first of four NBA titles, in 2003. In two seasons with the Indiana Pacers, Brown helped his team to another conference final in 2004.

Read the full story at USD Athletics.

— USD News Center