Cal Defensive Backs Coach Da'Von Brown Focuses on Building a Gritty Secondary
The new co-defensive coordinator likes what he sees early, and has a clear vision for how the backend of the defense will play.
Cal defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator Da’Von Brown offered an honest early-spring read on a secondary looking to maintain the program’s recent tradition of producing NFL talent.
“We have a gritty group. Guys are willing to learn, show up every day. I think these guys have the attention to detail that you want, the brotherhood that you want. There’s a bunch of competition in that room and I think we have the ability to play multiple guys. We’re just taking it day by day, step by step to make sure we got the right guys in the right group to go out there and execute.”
Brown tempered his optimism with an honest assessment of where the group still needs to go.
“We got a chance. We do got a chance, and I think the guys are getting better each and every day. We’re not there yet, so we got a lot of work to do, but I think the guys are willing to get it done.”
On the identity he wants to build in the secondary, Brown was direct.
“We’re going to be fast, we’re going to be tough, we’re going to be physical. When guys turn on the tape, what do they say about our defensive backfield? We want to be physical in the run game, eliminate explosive plays, play elite press technique, and get off blocks and make tackles.”
Brown also has a former player nearby in the Bay Area, with 49ers cornerback Upton Stout coming back to observe Cal spring football.
“Upton is a unique player. I had the chance to coach him at Western Kentucky. Great individual. I’m actually having him come down for spring ball to talk to some of the players, because he was an undersized guy but had a pro mindset and approached every day like it was game day. It’s pretty cool to be back with him around, and he deserved that. I’m fired up for him.”
Brown’s path to Cal was definitely influenced through co-defensive coordinator Michael Hutchings.
“My background was with Coach Hutch. He was part of the Western Kentucky defensive staff when I got hired there, then ended up leaving for the NFL. We crossed paths there and stayed in touch while he was in the NFL. When I became DC at Western Kentucky, I was piggybacking off ideas with him. When he got hired here, he gave me the call.”
On Tosh Lupoi, Brown had quick and genuine praise.
“He’s an elite ball coach. Does a really good job with the players, holds the coaches to a standard. Everybody around the building wants to come to work every day. The way he treats everybody, their families, he’s a family guy. He’s a defensive mind, so he’s always on me, trying to find a way to get my guys better, the unit better. It’s been a blessing to be around him.”
If spring ball optimism and coaching observations were trophies, we’d need a big room for them. I like hearing from the position coaches before they blend into the sidelines on game day. These spotlights are welcome and encouraging. I get no 6-6 vibe at all.
In this new portal team building world, 6-6 is no longer a given. Raise the money, buy the players and the wins will follow, eventually, if the coaching can adapt to integrating new players each year while simultaneously holding on to the key position players.