Brian Townsend (American football)
Encyclopedia
Brian Lewis Townsend is a college athletics administrator and a former American football
player. He is currently the director of basketball operations and assistant athletic director at the University of Michigan
. He played college football
at Michigan from 1988 to 1991 and played professional football for the Cincinnati Bengals
in 1992.
in 1968. After graduating from Cincinnati's Northwest High School
, he played college football
for the University of Michigan
from 1988 to 1991. During his four years as a player for Michigan, Townsend had 70 tackles and 23 assists. In 2000, the Wolverine Magazine named Townsend to its Michigan Football All-Decade Team.
Townsend was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round (281st overall pick) of the 1992 NFL Draft
. He appeared in three games as a linebacker
for the Cincinnati Bengals
during the 1992 NFL season
.
From 1998 to 2003, Townsend was the boys' basketball coach at Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School. His 1999 team won the Class A State Championship title, and Townsend compiled a record of 109-36 in six years as head coach.
From 2004 to 2007, he was an assistant basketball coach at Ohio University
. In each of his last three seasons, his teams won 19 or more games. During the 2004-2005 season, his team compiled a 21-11 record and appeared in the NCAA Tournament.
In 2007, Townsend was hired as the Director of Basketball Operations for the University of Michigan. He continues to hold that position, and is also an assistant athletic director under David Brandon
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player. He is currently the director of basketball operations and assistant athletic director at the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Michigan from 1988 to 1991 and played professional football for the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
in 1992.
Athletic career
Townsend was born in Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
in 1968. After graduating from Cincinnati's Northwest High School
Northwest High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Northwest High School is a public high school located in Colerain Township, Ohio, near Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. It is part of the Northwest Local School District....
, he played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1988 to 1991. During his four years as a player for Michigan, Townsend had 70 tackles and 23 assists. In 2000, the Wolverine Magazine named Townsend to its Michigan Football All-Decade Team.
Townsend was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the 11th round (281st overall pick) of the 1992 NFL Draft
1992 NFL Draft
The 1992 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 26–27, 1992. The league also held a supplemental draft after the regular draft...
. He appeared in three games as a linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
during the 1992 NFL season
1992 NFL season
The 1992 NFL season was the 73rd regular season of the National Football League.Due to the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew, the New England Patriots–Miami Dolphins game that was scheduled for September 6 at Joe Robbie Stadium was rescheduled to October 18. Both teams originally had that...
.
Coaching and administration
After retiring from football, Townsend was hired as an assistant basketball coach at Northwest High School in Cincinnati.From 1998 to 2003, Townsend was the boys' basketball coach at Ann Arbor's Pioneer High School. His 1999 team won the Class A State Championship title, and Townsend compiled a record of 109-36 in six years as head coach.
From 2004 to 2007, he was an assistant basketball coach at Ohio University
Ohio University
Ohio University is a public university located in the Midwestern United States in Athens, Ohio, situated on an campus...
. In each of his last three seasons, his teams won 19 or more games. During the 2004-2005 season, his team compiled a 21-11 record and appeared in the NCAA Tournament.
In 2007, Townsend was hired as the Director of Basketball Operations for the University of Michigan. He continues to hold that position, and is also an assistant athletic director under David Brandon
David Brandon
David A. Brandon is the director of intercollegiate athletics for the University of Michigan. He was formerly chairman of the board, chief executive officer, and manager of Domino's Pizza. He is also a former regent of the University of Michigan. Brandon took over Domino's in March 1999 when...
.