Portions of release contributed by New Mexico State Media Relations
GOLDEN, Colo., Dec. 30, 2014 – Colorado School of Mines Director of Athletics David Hansburg formally announced former New Mexico State offensive coordinator/quarterback coach Gregg Brandon as head coach of the university's 126-year old football program on Tuesday.
Brandon is only the sixth head coach to walk the sidelines since 1937.
"Gregg Brandon brings an unbelievable amount of experience to Colorado School of Mines. His energy and enthusiasm will be a great asset to our football program as we move into a new era for the Orediggers." Hansburg said.
Brandon, who recently completed his second season at New Mexico State, carries over 33 years of experience to Golden, including stints at seven NCAA Division I institutions.
"I am excited to become the head football coach at Colorado School of Mines." said Brandon. "It is a great opportunity to work with outstanding young men who excel in the classroom and win on the field. The opening of the Korell Athletics Center and Marv Kay Stadium for the 2015 season also make this a uniquely attractive place to coach and it shows how committed the school is to athletics and student life in general."
In his first season with the Aggies, he helped NMSU to the No. 55 ranking in passing yards in the nation. As a team, the Aggies threw for 240.9 yards a game and 2,886 yards on the season, with 17 touchdowns. Quarterback Andrew McDonald led the Aggies with 2,497 yards and 15 touchdowns. Brandon also guided wide receiver Austin Franklin, offensive tackles Andy Cunningham and Davonte Wallace to All-Independent Football Team honors.
Brandon spent two seasons at Wyoming, returning in 2011 as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
He served as head coach at Bowling Green from 2003-08, compiling a record of 44-30 (.595) and guiding the Falcons to three bowl appearances and four winning seasons. BGSU defeated Northwestern in the 2003 Motor City Bowl and Memphis in the 2004 GMAC Bowl, and also earned a berth in the 2003 Mid-American Conference Championship game en route to No. 24 in the final BCS computer rankings.
Originally hired as the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator in 2001 by Urban Meyer, Brandon's BGSU teams recorded a bevy of notable non-conference wins: at Purdue (27-26 in 2003), at Minnesota (32-31 in 2007) and at Pittsburgh (27-17 in 2008). He coached 33 All-MAC selections and 2004 MAC Player of the Year, Omar Jacobs.
From 1987-90, Brandon was the wide receivers coach at Wyoming under head coach, Paul Roach. During his four-year tenure, the Pokes went 35-15 (.700) and won back-to-back Western Athletic Conference championships in 1987 and 1988, twice finishing conference play undefeated. Wyoming appeared in the 1987 and 1988 Holiday Bowl as well as the Copper Bowl in 1990.
Following his time in Laramie, Wyo., he held assistant positions at Utah State (1991), Northwestern (1992-98), Colorado (1999-2000) and Bowling Green (2001-02). In 2009, Brandon served as offensive coordinator at Virginia, and in 2010 he was on the coaching staff of the Las Vegas Locomotives of the United Football League (UFL).
He has helped lead nine teams to bowl appearances during his collegiate coaching career, including an appearance in the Rose Bowl at the conclusion of the 1995 season with Northwestern. Northwestern won the outright Big Ten title in 1995 and tied for the conference championship in 1996.
A native of Colorado Springs, Brandon played football at Mesa State in 1974, before transferring to Northern Colorado where he played his final three seasons as a defensive back and wide receiver. He graduated from UNC in 1978 with a bachelor's degree in education.
He and his wife, Robyn, have two sons, Nick and Tim.
Contact:
Bryan Desch, Mines Athletics Communications Director | bdesch@mines.edu