Paul Brown Coaching Era

Lore & Background

Brown began coaching at Severn School in 1931, then at Massillon Washington High School, where his teams lost only 8 games in 11 seasons. He coached Ohio State to its first national championship in 1942. He led the Browns to all four AAFC championships and three NFL titles (1950, 1954, 1955). He was fired in January 1963 after a power struggle with owner Art Modell. He co-founded the Bengals in 1968 and retired from coaching in 1975, remaining team president until his death in 1991. The Bengals named their stadium Paul Brown Stadium in his honor.

Reader's Guide

Brown is credited with innovations including using game film to scout opponents, hiring a full-time staff of assistants, testing players on playbook knowledge, inventing the practice squad and the draw play. He also played a role in breaking pro football's color barrier by bringing the first African-Americans onto his teams. He was strict and controlling, leading to conflicts with players and his firing in 1963.

Did You Know?

• Brown's high school teams at Massillon lost only 8 games in 11 seasons, not 10 as sometimes reported.
• The modern face mask was not invented by Brown; that is a misattribution.
• On April 1, 2025, the NFL recognized AAFC records, moving Brown to seventh on the all-time wins list.