When the discussion of the great prep boys basketball coaches comes up, the names are quite distinguished.
You immediately mention Hobb's Ralph Tasker, and Jim Hulsman from Albuquerque High. Then there's Marv Sanders, who made his name while coaching at Farmington, and Pete Shock, who is still going after 34 year years at Cliff and maintain the Shock legacy that has gone on since 1932.
And there's Albuquerque Academy's Mike Brown.
But here's the thing about great coaches: Their legends live forever, but they do not.
Brown, who has spent the last 26 years guiding the Chargers program, called it a career Wednesday, and what a career it was. He led Academy to six straight Class AAA titles and played in nine straight title games. While he never won another title after 1994, he still got the Chargers there from 1995-97, then in 2001 and 2008.
But above all that, Brown was one of the most gracious coaches I have ever come across. I've had opportunities to talk to him several times during the season, and he's always been amiable, funny and open with his time.
You hate to see guys like him leave, because he's a shining example as to why coaches are involved in high school athletics - to help mold and shape kids. I have yet to hear a bad word uttered by any one about Brown. His teams were always lauded by opposing coaches for their effort, talent and intelligence, and a lot of that is a reflection of Brown.
Those same qualities are exhibited by the coaching tree he leaves behind - his sons Danny and Greg Brown, Valley head coach Joe Coleman and Manzano head coach Travis Julian. Those schools have top-notch programs that are run the right way.
If anything, that might be the most important legacy Brown leaves on the state - how to win and lose with class.
That alone ranks him high among the coaching greats in this state
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