July 12, 2007

Nedra Brown has been hired by Alabama A&M University as head volleyball coach, announced Wednesday by director of athletics Betty Austin. Brown replaces Austin in the position which she held for 30 years before being elevated from interim director of athletics this spring. Brown comes to Alabama A&M from head coaching stints at Kentucky State and LeMoyne-Owen and has compiled a 119-105 career record in eight seasons.

In 2006, her only season at Kentucky State, she led the Thorobrettes to a 19-15 overall record and an undefeated regular season mark of 10-0 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC). KSU was upset in the third round of the SIAC Tournament. Brown spent the previous seven seasons at LeMoyne-Owen capturing a 100-95 overall record for the Magicians.

After eight seasons a head coach in the SIAC and NCAA Division II, Brown expressed enthusiasm in moving to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) and NCAA Division I. Brown said she is thrilled to replace a legendary coach like Austin, who won 604 career matches as the only coach A&M has ever had.

"With the legacy founded by Coach Austin at Alabama A&M, I am looking forward to the challenge of putting a program together that continues what has already been established as one of the most successful volleyball schools in the country. This is definitely an opportunity to win and be successful. I am grateful to Coach Austin for the opportunity and look forward to working directly with her as the director of athletics because her stamp will always be on this volleyball program."

Austin echoed Brown's enthusiasm. "I truly feel the committee got the right person for the job in Coach Brown. Her professionalism and leadership qualities will be an asset to this university and the young women she will lead both on and off the court."