Alabama A&M Athletics

Brawnski Towns has been a fixture as both a player and coach at A&M for over three decades. The long-time Normalite is entering his 34^th season as a coach with the Bulldogs.  He has served as the defensive coordinator for nearly two decades, and has annually directed some of the top defensive units in the country.  In addition to defensive coordinator duties, Towns also holds the title of Associate Head Football Coach.
 
Towns first ventured to "The Hill" in 1965 to play for legendary coach Louis Crews.  During four successful seasons as a defensive back, he set a school career interception record with 29 picks, a record that still stands today. He was a three-time All-SIAC selection (1967-69) at defensive back, and served as a tri-captain in 1968 and 1969. 
 
Following his college playing career, Towns signed with the Buffalo Bills of the NFL as a free agent.  After a brief stint with the Bills, he returned to A&M in 1971 where he spent the next five years as the defensive backs coach.  He then joined the staff at Arkansas-Pine Bluff in 1976, spending eight seasons with the Golden Lions, where his secondary ranked in the top five in pass defense in the nation in 1976-77. 
 
Towns returned home to "The Hill" in 1984.  In 1987 and 1988, as the DB coach the defense led the nation in total defense, pass defense and scoring defense.  In 1993 as defensive coordinator the secondary finished No. 1 in the nation in pass defense.  He co-coordinated a unit that led the nation in rushing defense, allowing only 30 yards per game in 2000.  Overall, he has directed a unit that has finished ranked in the top 10 of at least one category 15 times since his return in 1984.  In 1989 Towns was named defensive coordinator.
 
In 2002, the Bulldog defense led the SWAC in total defense (288.8), rushing defense (83.8), sacks (51) and scoring defense (18.8).   In 2003, the Bulldogs topped the conference in total defense (258.1), rushing defense (82.6), sacks (50), interceptions (24) while second in scoring defense (16.2) and pass defense (175.5).  In 2004, the defense was a conference leader in total defense (275.9), rushing defense (94.6), sacks (44) and number four in pass defense (181.2).  Town’s 2009 defensive unit finished third in the SWAC in total offense.  They also finished first in rushing defense (102.5), sacks (43), opponent third-down percentage (28.1) and opponent fourth down percentage (23.1).  The 2010 squad finished 6^th in total defense, 3^rd in rushing (122.4) and 4^th in passing defense (190.5).  They also placed 2^nd in opponent first downs (14.6) and 3^rd in opponent third-down conversions (27.2%).  2011 saw the Maroon & White defense stand tall not allowing and offense to score more than 21 points or more in nine contests.  That season saw A&M finish second in rush defense (82.4), sixth in pass efficiency defense (88.8), third in total defense (245), third in scoring defense (15.2), sixth in pass defense (162.5), and third in sacks (4.0).  AAMU also ninth in scoring defense and sacks nationally.­ At the end of the 2012 season, the Bulldogs finished sixth in passing defense (187.9), fifth in rushing defense (160.9) and fifth in sacks (2.1).  They also placed fourth in both total defense (332.6) and scoring defense (21.5), lastly AAMU finished third in defensive passing efficiency (106.8) during the 2012 campaign. 
 
In 2007, Towns boasted yet another All-America selection from the Bulldog defense as Al Donaldson earned first-team honors with the American Football Coaches Association after leading the nation with nine interceptions. Robert Mathis earned the same honors in 2002 after setting an NCAA record for single season sacks.  Corey Hart became the latest Bulldog defender to earn All-American for his 2011 performance.
 
Most recently, Mathis and former linebacker Johnny Baldwin have been NFL draft picks from the Bulldog defensive ranks.  Mathis has put together a Pro Bowl and Super Bowl Championship career with the Indianapolis Colts since being picked in 2003.  Baldwin was a 5th round pick of the Detroit Lions, but has been hampered by injuries in the NFL.  Towns, great toutagled continued in 2011 as Frank Kearse was selected in the 231^st in the 7^th round by the Miami Dolphins in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Towns’ reputation as a football coach is synonymous with defensive pressure football.  The Bulldogs are well-known for their intensity on the defensive side of the ball, and Towns is the spearhead for that attitude.
 
A Bessemer, Alabama native, Towns and his wife, Mae Etta, have one adult daughter, Vickye.