New Jersey City University Athletics

JERSEY CITY, NJ…In 23 seasons at the helm of the New Jersey City University men’s basketball program, head coach CHARLES BROWN has achieved many milestones, and has become an icon in New Jersey basketball circles. Now with 429 wins and counting, Brown is on the verge of even more history—becoming one of the three winningest men’s collegiate basketball coaches in the history of in the state.

 

Entering this weekend, Brown owns a record of 429-191 (.692) in 620 games. Those 429 wins tie him for third place among the winningest coaches of any men’s Division I, II, or III basketball program in state history. With his next victory, he will eclipse Ollie Gelston, who recorded 429 wins (429-347) in a 32-year career at then-Jersey City State (1960-67) and Montclair State College (1968-1991), for sole possession of third place in state history. Ironically, Gelston was Brown’s head coach when he played for JCSC from 1962-65.

 

With two more victories, Brown will tie former New Jersey Institute of Technology coach James Catalano with 431 wins—the second highest total in state history. Catalano, who went 431-176 in 22 seasons (1980-2001) at NJIT, also is a graduate of JCSC, where he played in 1971-72.

 

Former Princeton University coach Pete Carril is the winningest coach in New Jersey history. The Tigers went 514-273 in his 29 seasons as coach of the Division I program (1968-1996).

 

“I always tell everyone if you stay around long enough and have success you’ll hit these milestones,” a modest Brown said, downplaying what will be an amazing achievement. “I’ve been very fortunate. Over the years, I’ve had some very talented players and when you have talented players, you will be successful.”

 

“It’s funny when I think of it. Years and years ago when I played here, I never thought I would be catching my old coach, Ollie Gelston. It’s special, and truly an honor. We’ll see how far we can go [with the win total].”

 

In his first 22 seasons at his alma mater, Brown has averaged more than 19 wins per season, winning 20 or more on seven occasions, including the 22-7 mark of the 2003-04 club. He has never had a losing season and has never missed the post-season. Brown has guided 11 teams to the NCAA Division III Tournament (1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004), and reached the Division III Final Four in 1986 and 1992. When not in the NCAA’s, his clubs have still reached the ECAC Metro New York/New Jersey tournament on 11 occasions, winning  four championships (1983, 1993, 1994, 2001).

 

Brown was named the Kodak Division III National Coach of the Year in 1986. That same year, the Star-Ledger tabbed him as the All-State Coach of the Year. He earned Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association Coach of the Year honors in 2004, after previously taking home the honor in 1990 and sharing the award in 1992. In 1990, he was voted the NJCBCA College Division Coach of the Year.

 

Brown was selected as the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Atlantic Region Coach of the Year in 2004, after his Gothic Knights went 22-7 and advanced to the NCAA Division III Sweet 16 for the sixth time in school history. He was also selected as the 2004 NJAC Coach of the Year after guiding a team voted eighth in the pre-season poll to an unprecedented 11th NJAC championship. His peers voted him as the league’s top coach in 1986, 1989, 1990, and 1995.