A torn Achilles tendon and a dream to coach football has led Winthrop High School graduate Alec Brown on a coaching journey that has brought him back to Maine.

After three years of coaching college football in North Dakota, Brown is in his first season as an assistant at Bates College.

Alec Brown, a Winthrop High School graduate, is in his first season as the tight ends/special teams coach with the Bates College football team. Bates College athletics photo

“I always knew I wanted to coach, and that’s the reason why I played or tried to play college football, because I wanted to be a coach,” Brown said. “I wanted to learn more. I wasn’t necessarily playing it because I knew I was going to be a superstar and catching touchdowns or making tackles.”

Brown attended Winthrop High School and played running back and linebacker for Winthrop/Monmouth Ramblers from 2013-16. He was coached by current athletic director and football coach Joel Stoneton his freshman season, and Dave St. Hilaire his sophomore through senior years.

“Those two guys have always been a part of my life, and they coached me all the way from grade school all the way up through high school,” Brown said. “So very fortunate to have those guys, it was a good time. I’m still in constant communication with those guys. I’ve got friends on the Winthrop coaching staff still. I still have a very, very strong connection for that program and that school.”

After graduating high school in 2017, Brown attended Husson University, where he played for a short time until the Achilles rupture, which he called a “freak accident” towards the end spring practices his freshman season.

Brown said he decided to turn his injury into a blessing. He reached out to coach St. Hilaire, who welcomed him to the Ramblers sideline. Brown balanced school and high school football coaching during his undergraduate years.

“As a player, you always think you know everything, but when you see it from a different lens, it becomes apparent that you know nothing at all,” Brown said. “So those couple years of coaching on staff was amazing. I love Maine high school football — always have, always will. I followed it forever.”

Brown graduated from Husson in 2021, and enjoyed post-grad life for exactly one week before flying to North Dakota for graduate school at Valley City State. He attended school and worked there for three years, coaching tight ends for his first two seasons and linebackers and special teams his third and final year.

Alec Brown of Winthrop/Monmouth breaks free for a big gain against Oak Hill during a September 2016 game in Winthrop. Daryn Slover/Sun Journal file photo

In July, Brown was named the Bobcats’ special teams and tight ends coach.

“I wanted to be back home. I was over there (North Dakota) for three years,” Brown said. “All my family’s still living in Winthrop, and it was just time for me to come back home.”

Bates head coach Matt Coyne said Brown stood out among other candidates during the interview process with his preparedness, football IQ and past coaching experience. Being a Mainer only adds to Brown’s allure.

“He’s super passionate about this state and obviously this area, and so far he’s just been a really integral part to the development of our program, with our guys, special teams wise and with our tight ends,” Coyne said. “He has a lot of pride in his state, and he understands the state and on our staff, that’s super important.

“Obviously, what we’re building here at Bates, as we build this program back, we want to try to attract the best and brightest in Maine to stay in the state and choose Bates as a destination.”

Coyne added that Brown’s understanding of Maine high school football and coaches, as well as the levels of talent across the state, will be huge for recruiting and Mainers to play for the Bobcats, whose 2024 roster has two players from Maine, former Oxford Hills standout Zach Louvat and Ayden Brusa from Skowhegan.

“Just having pride in Maine, I think that’s a big piece for what we are and what Bates stands for,” Coyne said.

Coaching the Bobcats has reunited Brown with his best friend and college roommate, Ryan Hafford, who is the Bates football equipment manager. Brown said Hafford likes to take all the credit for his return to Maine football.

“This is this home. I don’t really know how else to explain it,” Brown said. “Everybody wants to be home, and Bates and Maine is home for me. I get to wake up and see my family every single day. I get to see my 2-year-old nephew, my brother and sister every single day. That’s something I couldn’t do for three years.”

The Bobcats opened the season last week with a 19-7 loss at Amherst. Their home opener is Saturday against Trinity at 1 p.m. at Garcelon Field.

Bates is coming off an 0-9 season and has finished a season with a winning record only once in the past 40 years. Brown said the building of the program is viewed as a step-by-step process.

“We’re not going to be looking at and chasing scoreboard wins and losses,” Brown said. “We’re coming to work every single day with a mindset that today needs to be better than yesterday.”

As for his coaching style, Brown called himself “more of a relaxed guy,” but said he can rev up his energy when it’s time.

“There’s a switch you have to flip once you step foot on the football field,” Brown said. “It’s time to go, and it’s time to work. Football’s supposed to be fun, you’re supposed to be laughing and joking, enjoying time with guys you’ll be in contact with for the rest of your life.”

That’s the experience Brown had during his career as a player, and what he hopes to pass on to each athlete he coaches.