Browning Ready to Take on New Role With the Bears
Last week, the Bears announced the promotion of defensive quality control coach Andrew Browning to defensive line coach, replacing departed DL coach Tony Tuioti, who took a similar position at Nebraska. Prior to his arrival at Cal, he was the defensive line coach at UTEP for five seasons (2013-17) and spent three seasons on the football staff at his alma mater, Boise State (2010-12).
“I’m real excited, very humbled and thankful to be in this role this year,” said Brownng. “Very excited to get the opportunity to work with Coach Wilcox and his great staff and be a part of that room in a larger role is very exciting. It’s a great group of young men and I’m looking forward to this upcoming year.”
When Browning was hired as a QC assistant at Cal last year, he was no stranger to Cal head coach Justin Wilcox.
“I played at Boise a while ago and when I first got there, Coach Wilcox was a graduate assistant,” said Browning. “Then he came to Cal (as linebackers coach), and in my senior year, he came back and was our defensive coordinator.
Browning’s feelings on reuniting with Wilcox in a full-time capacity?
“Unbelievable,” said Browning. “I always go back to when I played and I’ve always had a lot of respect for Coach Wilcox. He’s obviously a very bright football coach and I just love his approach day-in and day-out -how detailed he is and how straightforward he is. I think everyone appreciates that.
“I’m very grateful and thankful he gave me this opportunity in this role.”
Part of Browning’s job will be to make sure his defensive line corps and the defense as a whole doesn’t rest on their laurels after a successful 2018 season.
“In this game, there’s always stuff you can work on,” noted Browning. “Nobody’s ever played a perfect game. We just have to continue to build off our success from last year. We have to understand that every year is different. Just because we did some good things in the past, it doesn’t mean we’ll do good things in the future.”
Former Cal defensive tackle Rusty Becker, who’s in training for Cal’s Pro Day and future NFL workouts is a fan of the Bears’ decision to promote Browning.
“During a lot of spring practice, I talked to Coach Tony but once fall camp and the season started, there was a lot more input and interaction with Coach AB,” said Becker. “He got to be my film partner.
“A lot of times after a game on Sunday’s, he’d be the guy I’d watch film with. And he already knew the plays I had questions about before I even asked him. I’d have a question and his answer would be instaneous. He already knew the play and how to break it down and what technique I should’ve used.
“It was honestly crazy how knowledgeable he was and how much he studied the film. The knowledge he has, he’s able to instaneously tell you what you did wrong and what you could’ve done better -and what you did great, too. He’s not afraid to give out compliments, either.”
Browning’s youth has played a role in his ability to connect with the players, as well.
“Oh, most definitely,” said Becker. “He’s able to connect with all of us really well. He was always on beat with us and he still has that competitive edge, too, and liked to mix it up with us.
“I think he’s going to do great. I’m excited for him.”