Billy Brown was chosen as EKU’s director of football sports performance in February 2020.
In 2023, EKU went 5-6 overall with the average point differential against FCS opponents being 4.8 points per game. EKU went 5-4 against FCS opponents and 4-2 in the inaugural season of the United Athletic Conference.
In his third season at EKU, the Colonels earned their first NCAA FCS Playoff berth since 2014 and a share of the ASUN regular-season championship. EKU went 6-2 against FCS opponents and beat an FBS team for the first time in eight seasons. The Colonels rose to No. 16 in the national polls and posted a 5-2 mark at Roy Kidd Stadium.
In 2021, EKU completed the biggest single-season turnaround in program history as the Colonels went 7-4 after a 3-6 campaign in 2020. Eastern Kentucky defeated three teams that were ranked in the preseason top-25 and went 5-1 at Roy Kidd Stadium. EKU climbed as high as No. 19 in the national rankings and won five consecutive games for the first time since 2014.
In his first season, he helped the Colonels to a road win at The Citadel, a near upset of FBS Troy, a victory over No. 11 Central Arkansas and a 49-17 win against Western Carolina in the 2020 Opportunity Bowl. The win over the 11th ranked Bears was the program’s first victory over a ranked team since 2013 and the first win over a non-conference ranked team since 2003 when Eastern Kentucky beat No. 11 Appalachian State. EKU was recognized as the national team of the week three times during the 2020 season.
“Billy’s name was continuously given to me by several different people I know and trust in the strength and conditioning field,” head coach Walt Wells said. “He’s a talented young coach. He brings a lot of energy and is a perfect fit for us.”
Before coming to Eastern Kentucky, Brown was the assistant strength and conditioning coach at Marshall from February of 2013 to 2020. While with the Thundering Herd, he collaborated on the design and execution of all aspects of the football strength and conditioning program, and implemented unique strength and conditioning programs for softball and baseball. He also created and directed all elements of the nutrition program at Marshall.
From January 2012 to February 2013, Brown served as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach at The Citadel. He oversaw the strength and conditioning programs for baseball and cross country while providing year-round assistance with the football and wrestling teams. While serving as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Central Florida from May 2010 to December 2011, Brown worked directly with the football, baseball, tennis, soccer, track and men’s golf programs.
Brown earned a bachelor’s of science degree in exercise physiology from Central Florida in May 2011. He also is certified by the Collegiate Strength & Conditioning Coaches Association.
