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By Mark Brock
DCSD Athletics Specialist
DEKALB COUNTY,GA—Southwest DeKalb High School’s boys’ basketball head coach Eugene Brown recently hit 300-career wins—a mileston in his 17 seasons coaching in the school district.
Brown got 300 (304-165, 64.8%) back on Jan. 9 with a 47-32 win over the Stephenson Jaguars. Brown spent 2001-2006 at Stone Mountain (108-58) and returned in 2014 to Southwest DeKalb where he has been for 11 seasons (196-107).
“When you have a role in positively influencing the lives of young students, it is not about the records and accomplishment but the events and lessons that occur in between that forever impact their character,” said Brown. “There’s no better way to repay the opportunities afforded you than to help the young people you influence to reach their full potential as students, athletes and productive citizens.”
In his six seasons at Stone Mountain, he had two playoff appearances (2003-2004) including a 26-5 record and state semifinal game in 2004.
Brown coached at Alcovy from 2007 to 2013 compiling a 106-87 record with a pair of region titles. Combined with his 304-165 record in DeKalb Brown has a career total of 410-252 (62%) over 25 seasons. His 400th career victory came in a 53-45 win over Holy Innocent’s in the Region 6-4A title game last season.
His third season back in DeKalb coaching the Panthers he returned to the playoffs reaching the Elite 8 in 2016. He has seven state playoff appearances at Southwest DeKalb including back-to-back semifinal runs in 2019 (24-7) and 2020 (19-13). He has seven playoff appearances in 11 seasons.
Brown’s s playoff accomplishments include the three semifinal appearances, four Elite 8 and advanced to the Sweet 16 six times.
The 2024 team is 10-13 and battling with Druid Hills and Hapeville Charter for seeding as the teams head into the Region 6-4A tournament next week.
“When you’ve been at it for this long, there’s probably hundreds of people to thank, but first and foremost, I thank my wife and family for allowing me to be in the gym as much as I have been,” said Brown. “I also need to think my coaching staffs and administrative staffs for helping me to develop and guide the student athletes.”
Brown continued, “The athlete’s parents are also to be thanked for trusting us to help develop the skills and character of their children. Finally, the players themselves that are receptive to being coached hard as we wouldn’t be here without them.”