Trent Brown

From 9-6-14

After my initial teaching/coaching position @ Newton Co. H.S., all the other opportunities came to me. With each new position, I would tell the minimum number of years I planned to be there. When Principal (& former member of one of our state championship teams) hired me, I told him I would be there at least 4 years. My 4 years of being in the classroom were made easier by sharing duties with a former player who had been on my first team at NCHS. Perry Haymore had retired as an assistant principal, and was working part-time, and I can't emphasize enough what he meant to me during my years there. Sometimes a coach is lucky when he doesn't do what he thought he should do. I knew this was going to be my last season at NCHS, and I wanted it to be a great year (without controversy)! The school was going back into the state's highest classification, & we would be playing the best schools from Metro Atlanta & Clayton Co. I can't begin to emphasize enough the important role that Assistant Coach, Rick Rasmussen, played in our success! My high respect for him, and my recommendation, helped him get the opportunity to follow me as the Rams' head coach. One of the main keys to our great season came in an unwanted package. We had a player in the 10th grade who received a varsity uniform, but was so disruptive we sent him down to the JV team! With the problems he created there, we certainly didn't want him in our basketball program. His junior year, he would come to the game to see his brother, Tyrone, play. But even then, it seemed that trouble followed him. When we started practice prior to my final year at Newton, this"troublemaker" showed up at practice. I told Coach Rasmussen that the state rules wouldn't allow us to "cut" him during the summer, but he could be assured that Trent would not be on our team. I, personally, told Trent, "You are not going to be on our team! We are not going to put up with the problems you cause!" He told me, "Coach, if you'll give me one more chance, I won't disappoint you!" But with the effort he put forth in summer practice, I told him I was going to take him with us to play in the games at a week-long camp. Very seldom does a person really change his habits, but Trent's effort & improvement earned him an opportunity to be a part of our team! Looking back on our 2005 season, I realize that without Trent Brown we never would have reached the Final Four! Trent was only 5'7", but he was tough--& I called on him to guard such players as the 6'10" center from Stephenson High who went on to star at Georgia Tech & in the NBA. One night we were down by 1 point in a big region game, with seconds remaining, & Trent on the line with a 1&1, & Coach Rasmussen said to me, "I'll guarantee you, Trent won't 'choke'!" Trent made both free throws to give us an important win! At the end of the season, I was so proud of not only Trent Brown, but the two other seniors who had meant so much to our team, John Monk & Todd Hoskins, that I arranged for them to attend the Men's Final Four Basketball Tournament. About a year later I received a phone call from Trent, & he wanted to thank me for letting him be a part of our team. He said it was the greatest year of his life! Realizing what he had meant to our team and how little confidence I had in him to contribute, I had to choke back tears as I said, "No, Trent, you've got it wrong! I have to thank YOU for what you meant to our team!" Trent Brown went to welding school, and after several years as a welder, he now teaches other aspiring students who want to have a successful vocation and contribute to society! Trent now has a family---& success!! Be sure and look at the end of the preview on final four for comments on Trent Brown.