MOREHEAD, Ky. – Tony Brinson, who mentored the Wagner College defense to top 25 FCS rankings year in and year out since 2011, has been named an assistant coach and defensive coordinator for Morehead State football.
 
Brinson helped produce six NFL players, two Football Championship Subdivision All-Americans, 11 all-conference honorees and the Northeast Conference (NEC) and East Coach Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year (Cam Gill) in 2018, all while serving as defensive coordinator and outside linebackers coach at Wagner from 2011-18.
 
Brinson has also held assistant coaching spots at Columbia University, Rhode Island, Bryant University and Kean (N.J.) since his coaching career began in 1993.
 
In 2018, Wagner led the NEC in sacks, helped by Gill's 13.5. The Seahawks ranked in the top 40 in the FCS in sacks and third down defense. In 2017, under Brinson, Wagner led the league in rushing defense while ranking in the top 25 in the FCS in tackles for loss and sacks.
 
From 2011-16, Brinson's defensive coaching efforts led to 13 times ranking among the FCS top 25 in defensive stat categories. He helped Wagner win the 2012 NEC championship and advance to the second round of the playoffs.
 
In 2012, 2014 and 2016, the Seahawks ranked in the top three in the NEC in total defense.
 
Brinson was the tight ends coach at Columbia from 2008-10. In 2010, he helped produce the CollegePerformance.com Tight End of the Year as well as a Walter Camp All-American (Andrew Kennedy). In 2009, Columbia led the Ivy League in passing efficiency and ranked second in rushing offense.
 
From 2004-06, Brinson was the defensive ends coach at Rhode Island before assuming the role of cornerbacks coach in 2006 and 2007. From 2004-07, four players coached by Brinson set school records, while three of his players were named All-Atlantic 10 Football Conference in 2006 and 2007.
 
At Bryant University from 2001-03, Brinson held titles of recruiting coordinator, special teams coordinator and defensive coordinator. He helped produce four players who earned All-Northeast 10 honors and two who still hold school records.
 
He served as wide receivers coach, linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator while at Kean from 1996-99. Brinson began his coaching career as a student assistant at his alma mater, Rhode Island, in 1993- and 1994. He also coached at Ridgefield (N.J.) and Rutherford (N.J.) High Schools.
 
Brinson earned his bachelor's degree in fisheries and marine science from Rhode Island in 1995 and his Master's Degree in education from St. Peters (N.J.) College in 2000.