Scott Browning Promoted to Head Football Coach
January 5, 2006

EDINBORO, PA – Edinboro University President Dr. Frank G. Pogue today announced the promotion of Scott Browning as head football coach. Browning has served twenty years as an assistant coach at Edinboro under three different head coaches, the last six under Lou Tepper. He becomes the 13th head coach of the Fighting Scots.

“I am very pleased to announce the promotion of Scott Browning to the position of head football coach at Edinboro University effective immediately,” stated Pogue. “Scott has been a member of the Edinboro coaching staff for 20 years. He has demonstrated his ability to not only coach athletes on the playing field, but also to lead young men by the example of his character and by his dedication to them as students and as individuals. He will join our other highly successful coaches at Edinboro University.“

New Head Football Coach Scott Browning is pictured here during his introductory news conference. Sitting beside him is University President Dr. Frank G. Pogue. File photo

Browning joined the Edinboro program in 1986 as the running backs coach under Steve Szabo. After three seasons on the offensive side of the ball, the Ohio State University graduate moved to the defensive side, serving as the defensive backfield coach for head coach Tom Hollman.

In 1994 he moved back to offense as the offensive line coach. He has remained in charge of the linemen since that time, coaching such All-Americans as Jeremy O’Day, Joe Valvoda and Greg Bzorek. The last two years Browning’s offensive line led the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference in fewest sacks allowed.

When Tepper came on board in 2000, Browning was appointed the recruiting coordinator in addition to his duties with the offensive line. A year later he was named the offensive coordinator, and the Fighting Scot offense made great strides over the last five years. Browning emphasized a balanced attack which showcased the combination of a strong ground game and dangerous aerial attack. Over the last three seasons Edinboro has averaged 29.9 ppg. in 2003, 33.2 ppg. in ’04, and 31.4 ppg. in ’05.

All told, Browning has been an assistant coach on all seven of Edinboro’s NCAA playoff teams, along with five of the six PSAC champion squads.

New Head Football Coach Scott Browning is seen here with his son, Drew, on the sideline during a game this past season. The question is: Does Drew have coaching in his blood also? Come back in 20 years and we'll answer it for you. File photo

“It goes without saying that I am extremely excited to have this opportunity,” noted an elated Browning. “I was proud to be a part of the teams in the 1990’s that ranked among the best in Division II, and over the last few years we have once again elevated the program to one of the best in the country.

“The University and the community of Edinboro mean a great deal to me. Over the years we have tried to become an integral part of this community. I am thrilled that I can continue that association while taking over a group of players that represent the ideals I believe in.

“I’m sure you will see some changes in the future, but I can tell you this, the ideals remain in place for this program, and always have in the time I’ve been here. Without question we want to be successful on the field, and that means challenging for a fourth straight PSAC West title this year.

“But we won’t compromise integrity. We will continue to bring in young men who have the ability to be successful both in the classroom and on the football field. It is my sincere belief that when they take the field, they must wear the Edinboro jersey with pride, and when they are in the community, that they have earned the respect that comes with being a Fighting Scot.”

Browning also expressed pleasure in the swift nature of the hiring.

“I think the Edinboro administration stepped up and showed how important this program is by moving quickly to fill the head coaching position,” Browning commented. “This is a critical time of year, and as a staff we spent many hours on the road over the last month. I think we are on the verge of another very good recruiting season, and the quick decision keeps us in the forefront with these players. Coming off an 8-2 season and a third straight PSAC West championship, it was also important to maintain that momentum with our current players.”

While still working to piece together his staff, Browning noted that he is pleased Wayne Bradford will remain with the Fighting Scots in 2006. Bradford oversaw a defensive unit that led the country in scoring defense (9.3 ppg.), rushing defense (53.7 ypg.), and total defense (211.2 ypg.).

“Wayne is a bright young coach who has achieved the utmost respect from his players,” Browning pointed out. “From working on the offensive side of the ball, I can tell you just what a great job Wayne has done with our defense. He has been an integral part of our three PSAC West titles.”

Edinboro Director of Athletics Bruce Baumgartner feels the combination of Browning and Bradford leaves the Fighting Scots with a bright future.

“I think this gives Edinboro football an exciting new look,” commented Baumgartner. “As assistant coaches they played an integral part of the team’s success over the last three years. Scott Browning’s loyalty to this program is unquestioned, as is his ability to coach. Wayne Bradford’s decision to remain on this staff leaves us with the stability to continue to move forward, and he will have an increased role and responsibility.”

Browning has served as an assistant coach at three NCAA Division I institutions. Prior to joining the Fighting Scot staff, he coached receivers and running backs at Ohio State for two years. That group included Keith Byars. The Buckeyes went to the Rose Bowl and the Citrus Bowl in his two seasons. Browning served as a graduate assistant coach at New Mexico State in 1982, and the following year instructed the receivers at Idaho State.

A 1981 graduate of Ohio State University with a bachelor’s degree in Education, Browning began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Worthington High School and Dayton-Fairview High Schools in Ohio from 1979-81. Before transferring to Ohio State he attended Capital University where he played football for one season. Browning later earned a master’s degree in Education and Administration from New Mexico State in 1983.

Browning, 47 and a native of Loudonville, Ohio, and his wife, Lynn, reside in Edinboro and have two children, Andrew (11) and Katelyn (7). He is also camp director of the Tri-State Linemen’s Camp, a highly-successful instructional camp for linemen that will be in its eleventh season this summer. Browning’s brother, Mitchell, is the offensive coordinator at the University of Minnesota.