This article was originally published with Dawgs247 on September 4, 2015 and can be found here. 

Ten years ago Thomas Brown was seeking lanes among offensive linemen and propelling the Georgia running game. Today he’s coaching the Bulldogs’ tailbacks to do the same.

Brown is nearing the start of his first season as Georgia’s running backs coach. A former running back with the team from 2004 to 2007, Brown bounced around the NFL for three seasons before turning in his helmet for a headset. He got his start as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Georgia in 2011 before moving up the coaching ladder with other programs.

His ties to the school caused him to keep an eye on the program’s players during his subsequent coaching stints at Chattanooga, Marshall and Wisconsin.

“I’m a Georgia guy, so I knew about everybody,” Brown said. “I’ve been a bunch of different places, but I still followed the whole team and, more specifically, the tailback spot. I’ve talked to (receivers coach Bryan) McClendon a lot, shared some ideas and talked about guys.”

Brown comes back to Georgia after one year with Wisconsin, where he coached Heisman Trophy runner-up Melvin Gordon. Gordon racked up 2,587 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns in 2014, but he and Corey Clement were really the only running backs in the Badgers’ stable. That makes the situation at Georgia a new experience for the young assistant coach.

At the top of the depth chart stands Nick Chubb, who ran for 1,547 yards as a freshman and has many believing he can bring a Heisman Trophy back to Athens. Behind Chubb stands Sony Michel, a five-star tailback who battled injuries in 2014 but managed to score 6 touchdowns. Keith Marshall comes back from injury to take his share of carries and is joined byBrendan Douglas as well as A.J. Turman.

The talent at running back is impressive for Georgia, but it will be meaningless if not properly controlled. The number of capable players means substitutions should be easily invoked in theory, but leaving one man out for too long can become problematic. Having to split carries among the capable players doesn’t stand as much of a concern for Brown.

“Depth is always great, especially at the running back spot because guys can go down [quickly],” Brown said. “It’s a brutal position. I push those guys hard; I harp on being physical. We take hits every single play, so it’s good to have depth.”
With a full load at running back and a group of fullbacks that’s just as deep, he has a lot to work with. He’s also preparing for his first season coaching from the booth, which will make him the only full-time offensive coach there. Brown seems unsure of what the experience will be like and admitted if someone witnesses a chair flying through the box during play, he will likely be the culprit.

Even with the focus set on UL-Monroe and a new season, it can’t take the tarnish off Brown’s return. He was a solid player during his time at Georgia and is not far removed from the minds of many fans. It may even bring back thoughts of Brown’s last game at Sanford Stadium in Nov. 2007. He took 22 carries for 78 yards and one final touchdown in front of the home crowd as Georgia defeated Kentucky 24-13.

Brown may meditate on the significance momentarily, but he won’t let it distract him from doing his job.

“It’s going to be good to be back in my old stadium,” Brown said. “It’ll probably bring back some memories, but I’m not an emotional person, so I’ll probably block that out real quick. When it’s game time, I’m not going to be sentimental.”