Betting on himself landed Micah Brown a prime coaching opportunity.

The Bishop’s Gaiters assistant is coaching at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers training camp. He earned the chance via the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Coaching Fellowship program.

“When I received the email that I was one of the selected few, it was obviously a very exciting time,” Brown said. “And very validating and confirming.”

Especially given what Brown, 40, has overcome during his football journey.

He played quarterback professionally for 11 seasons in 10 different countries, including Germany, Poland, Finland, Italy and Switzerland, as well as arena football in the U.S. Brown also had brief stints in 2009 with the CFL’s Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Toronto Argonauts.

Brown played at Saint Mary’s University in 2010-11. He also led the U.S. to gold at the 2011 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) world championship.

Brown began his Canadian university coaching career at St. Francis Xavier University before returning to Saint Mary’s. He left following the 2023-24 season because of differences in coaching philosophies, a move Brown said led to anxiety and depression that he worked through with the help of therapy.

“We talk about perseverance and resiliency and working through adversity,” Brown said. “This is another example of that; I just happened to be on the better side of it, though.”

Brown also coached at the Montreal Alouettes’ training camp in May through the CFL’s Diversity in Football Program.

But his path to Tampa was a long one.

Steve Fidura, Tampa’s vice president of community impact, said Brown’s initial application was among 1,000 received by the franchise. Applicants were also required to submit video breakdowns of plays for review by Buccaneers coaches.

Brown and 24 others were invited to Tampa’s coaching academy, from which five were ultimately selected to participate in camp.

“Micah stood out among 1,000 applicants,” Fidura said. “Our coaching academy is a weeklong, immersive program, very hands-on.

“Micah was able to shine through and make everyone think, ‘Absolutely, we need him back; he deserves this opportunity and can showcase what he has even more.'”

Brown works mostly with Tampa’s receivers but also spends time with the quarterbacks and running backs. And although he’s dealing with many million-dollar athletes, Brown said they accept coaching.

“It’s like any elite-level profession; you want to learn,” he said. “You make a correction, they make it instantly; there’s no lag in time.

“Guys know exactly where they should be, when they should be there and how to get there the most efficient way, whereas at the college level somebody is going to mess up, somebody doesn’t quite know something, or they only know their job. At this level, everybody knows everything.”

What makes Brown’s time in Tampa even more enjoyable is it’s a homecoming as he was raised there.

“This is a full circle, homecoming-type experience,” he said. “I still have family here, old high school coaches, and my former little league football coach when I was six years old is here.

“It’s been really cool being able to reconnect with them.”

But life as an NFL coach means long hours. Brown’s days often begin at 4 a.m. so he can get to the facility for a workout. Once done, he grabs a quick bite before heading to meetings to address the day’s first practice, which usually begins around 8 a.m.

Following practice, there’s reviewing film of the session, an afternoon coaches’ meeting and then grabbing something to eat before the second practice. Following that, there’s another meeting, then ensuring the next day’s plans are set.

But Brown always finds time to speak with his wife, Kelly, and their two sons.

“It’s not for everybody, but we’re passionate about it and actually love it,” Brown said. “Could I sleep in a little longer?

“Probably, but I want the discipline of having to get up early because that’s about the only time I can get into the gym. It’s a great way to kick-start the body, get up, get moving, and you already feel like you’re ready to go by the time your day is supposed to start.”

Brown hasn’t been surprised by anything he’s seen with Tampa but appreciates the efficiency that is the NFL.

“When we come off the practice field, film is done and tagged; there’s no lagging,” he said. “That’s something I think every other organization outside of the NFL has challenges with.”

Once done in Tampa, Brown will return to Bishop’s, where he coaches defensive backs. But he admits the idea of being a full-time NFL coach is an enticing one.

“If you’re asking if I’d love to continue on in the NFL, of course,” he said. “Honestly, it’s a dream I never knew I had.

“If you asked me a couple of years ago what my dream was, it was to be the offensive co-ordinator or head coach of the university I was at, but when things change, perspectives change. I want to be the best version I can be for me, and wherever that is, they’re going to get the best of me.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2026.