July 5, 2022 | by Taylor Pill

WATERTOWN, Wis. -- The Maranatha Baptist University Athletic Department announced today that Paul Brown will be joining the staff as Assistant Athletic Director and Head Coach of Maranatha's Women's Basketball program, beginning with the 2022-23 season.

Brown graduated in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Bible with a minor in Coaching from Pillsbury Baptist Bible College. Brown was an NCCAA scholar-athlete, playing basketball for three years; one year as a co-captain. During his final year at Pillsbury, Brown was an assistant coach on NCCAA Hall of Fame coach Keith Champion’s staff alongside current Maranatha Baseball Head Coach, Gary Garrison. 

After graduating from Pillsbury in 2000, Brown returned home to Arizona to coach basketball at his alma mater, Tri-City Christian Academy. During his first three years at Tri-City Christian, he coached the varsity girls team where he compiled a record of 51-2 with two State Championships. In 2003, Brown became the varsity boys' head coach. With the boys' team, Brown compiled a record of 341-70 with 14 trips to the Final Four, 11 state championship games, and 6 state championship titles while playing multiple classifications above their school size for most of those seasons.

Brown was voted as the Canyon Athletic Association Coach of the Year three different seasons and six of his players were voted Canyon Athletic Association Player of the Year. Many of Brown’s players from Tri-City Christian, including 2021 Maranatha graduate Taylor Ball, have gone on to play collegiately. Brown’s overall record in 22 seasons as Head Coach at Tri-City Christian is 392-72 with 16 trips to the Final Four, advancing to 13 State Championship Games, and winning 8 State Championships.

Brown has also served as Athletic Director at Tri-City since 2003. During his 22 years at the school, he served as the head coach for the varsity golf and baseball teams and taught P.E. full-time. 

Since 2010, Coach Brown has also been the Executive Board President for the Canyon Athletic Association, an athletic governing body of over 110 junior high and 90 high school programs in Arizona. Brown has assisted in creating, amending, and enforcing the league constitution while serving on the Disciplinary Committee, running state championship events, and various other administrative duties over the past twelve years.

Brown will come to Maranatha with his wife, Tricia (of 18 years), and their four children.

"I am definitely looking forward to being part of the Maranatha program," Brown said. "Anytime you Coach at any level, the next level above brings excitement and a new challenge in the game that I love. Even being able to assist a seasoned Athletic Director like Rob Thompson and learn the ins and outs of a college program is going to be fun.

As Assistant AD, Brown will be responsible for coordinating facilities, managing events, and coordinating the summer camps.

"We are excited to have Paul join the Athletic Staff of Maranatha Baptist University," said Maranatha Director of Athletics, Coach Rob Thompson. "Paul’s experience in coaching and athletic administration at the high school level will be a great asset to the university. Paul will bring a fresh set of eyes to the department, and enthusiasm to the women’s basketball program."

Brown fills the head coaching role after Coach Clayton Morrison announced his retirement in April.

For more on the Women's Basketball program, click here.