University of Georgia Athletics
Thomas Brown Says Competition Is Key For Success
January 22, 2011 | Football
Jan. 22, 2011
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia assistant strength and conditioning coach Thomas Brown says that competition is a key to a successful football program.
"Overall, I think you can solve most problems with more competition," said Brown, a four-year letterman for the Bulldogs (2004-07). "I think that makes guys raise their level of expectations. It's harder for guys to be motivated when they know they're guaranteed to play. So overall we want to develop and push our guys to their max, but also bringing in people who can compete with those guys will make everybody a lot better."
Having the players believe in the system is something Brown also thinks is important.
"I'm on the floor everyday motivating guys and encouraging them to give their all every single day and buy into the system so we can get back to playing sound, team football," said Brown. "Overall we have a great group of guys who are committed to win, and we are doing great so far."
Brown, a native of Tucker, Ga. and 2007 offensive captain for the Bulldogs, was drafted in 2008 by the Atlanta Falcons, where he spent two years before playing for the Cleveland Browns for one season.
"I think me being close in age to the guys allows me to be able to relate to them a lot better," he said. "I've been through the process of college football and my brief stint in the NFL, so I can tell them what to expect and how to prepare for it."
Brown was the strongest pound-for-pound football player in the history of UGA and holds the running back squat and power clean record. Throughout his career, he has built a philosophy of his own regarding strength and conditioning.
"I think I have a mix of both old school and new school," he said. "I do agree with the old school mentality of attacking it, developing mental toughness and getting guys in shape. Everything we do is going to be based around conditioning. I think we are going to be well prepared to finish games and be in better shape than all of our opponents."
Currently, Brown lives in Auburn, Ga. with his wife and two boys and is looking forward to this season.
"I'm just excited," he said. "This is a new experience and something new for me. I'm just going to try to make myself beneficial."
