'He's a Great Addition!' John Saunders Praises Ole Miss Rebels' Newest Secondary Coach Bryan Brown

OXFORD, Miss. – Spring football is underway in Oxford, as the Ole Miss Rebels are busy trying to fine-tune their roster to make a run at the first-ever 12-team college football playoff beginning in 2024. The Rebels hit the NCAA Transfer Portal hard this offseason, which means spring practices will be crucial for team chemistry.

Ole Miss also added three new assistant coaches this offseason: secondary coach/co-defensive coordinator Bryan Brown, receivers coach George McDonald, and tight ends coach Joe Cox. Ole Miss’ secondary and receivers rooms have picked up some serious talent, but talent means nothing if you do not have the right guy coaching you. Ole Miss safety John Saunders Jr. has become an established veteran on the Rebel defense, and he recently praised his new position coach for his ability to bring this new-look secondary together.

“I like Coach Brown a lot; he’s been a great addition to the team,” Saunders told reporters. “He knows a lot, and he’s really familiar with Oxford. He’s a good guy for culture. He’s making sure we gel together. We’ve been having some [defensive back] events just getting familiar with each other.

“It’s been great having [Brown] along.”

Saunders, a former cornerback at Miami of Ohio, explained that Brown is involved with both corners and safeties on the field.

“Yeah [Brown] helps, he coaches [safeties] too,” Saunders said. “I think this is better because now we’re all meeting together as a backend. So now I’m learning what the corners are doing, the corners are learning what the safeties are doing, and we’re all just able to play together and know exactly what everyone’s job and responsibility is.”

Saunders will be returning in 2024 for his second season as a Rebel after recording three interceptions, 65 total tackles, and two tackles for loss in 2023. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety led the Rebels in interceptions and finished third on Ole Miss in total tackles a season ago.