Dave Brown Steps Down as Winthrop High Hoop Coach

Dave Brown

Dave Brown, who built the Winthrop High School boys basketball program into a Northeastern Conference powerhouse, has stepped down from his position after ten seasons at the helm.

The 40-year-old Lynn resident and St. Mary’s graduate informed his players of his decision Monday.

Brown transformed Winthrop, the smallest school in the NEC, into a perennial contender for league and state titles. His teams won 93 games the past five years, including the 2011 Division 4 state championship and three NEC South titles. He had a career record of 136-95.

“I had ten good years in Winthrop,” said Brown, a Winthrop Police officer. “It’s been a challenging year with my work schedule and coaching. I just think it’s a good time to take some time off. My wife [Helen] and I  have three small children. Coaching high school basketball takes a tremendous commitment and it can be emotional draining.”

Brown served as a Winthrop assistant for two years before being appointed head coach. Winthrop won just six games in his first two seasons, but the program began to thrive under his leadership, advancing to the North sectional final three years in a row before defeating Cohasset in the state final at the TD Garden.

With his outstanding coaching record, experience as a college player at Westfield State where he is a Hall of Fame inductee, the solid academic performance of his players, and the number of athletes he has sent on to college, Brown would be a leading candidate for any coaching opening in boys or girls basketball.

“I’m not completely stepping out of coaching,” said Brown. “If a good situation were to come up for my family and me, I would look into it. Over the course of my tenure in coaching, I’ve probably lost some friends because of coaching situations, but I’ve also gained some friends.”

Brown said coaching high school basketball extends beyond the season nowadays. “I’m going to enjoy the off season where you’re not running around chasing kids to get to summer league and fall league games. My three kids [Ava, Eliza, and Dave Jr.] play baseball and softball so now I can concentrate on seeing them play.”

Brown began his high school basketball career at St. Mary where he was a 1,000-point scorer. He continued his success at Westfield where he eclipsed the 1,000-point milestone.

Brown said Winthrop was a great town in which to coach.

“I want to thank all my former players,” said Brown. “I have a unique relationship with them. Many return to our practices and I stay in touch. Without them, we wouldn’t have accomplished all the championships that we won. I know I’m going to miss coaching in Winthrop. I’m losing a part of my family – that’s the atmosphere we had here.”

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