Serving as the head coach of the Cortland Red Dragons baseball team since 2000, Brown has achieved consistent success and has already left an undeniable impact on the school.
Under Joe Brown’s tenure, Cortland has amassed a combined record of 849-235-4, making him the winningest coach in school history. He has guided the team to 22 NCAA Division III tournament appearances, 11 World Series’s, and 17 SUNYAC titles. Brown’s winning percentage is currently the best among all active coaches nationally across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III with at least 10 years of experience.
Brown’s coaching excellence has been recognized with numerous awards and accolades. He has been named the ABCA New York Region Coach of the Year 12 times and the SUNYAC Coach of the Year on eight occasions. In 2014, Brown was honored as the “Coach of the Decade” by D3baseball.com and the SUNYAC for his record and postseason appearances from 2010 to 2019.
Brown was born in Clifton Springs, New York, and raised in Maine, which laid the foundation for his love of the game. Growing up in a small town in upstate New York, Brown was exposed to baseball at an early age. He developed a love for baseball and began honing his skills as a player. Brown’s early experiences on local teams and within the community fostered his love for the game and set him on a path towards a future in baseball.
At Canandaigua Academy, a high school in upstate New York, Brown excelled as a three-sport athlete, participating in baseball, basketball, and football. His dedication and talent on the baseball field earned him recognition, and he became a standout player during his time at the academy.
Following his graduation from high school, Brown’s passion for baseball led him to Ithaca College, where he continued his athletic career. As a member of the Ithaca Bombers baseball team, Brown experienced early success, and in 1988, he was part of the NCAA Division III championship squad. This achievement further fueled his aspirations within the sport.
Brown’s experience as a player at Ithaca College under head coach George Valesente played a huge role in shaping his coaching philosophy and approach to the game. Valesente recently concluded his remarkable 41-year tenure at Ithaca College. Throughout his career, he guided his teams to an astonishing 1,136 victories, a testament to his coaching prowess and dedication to the game.
Winning a national title during Brown’s sophomore year at Ithaca left an impression on him and fueled his commitment to the sport.
“It was incredibly gratifying because it was part of the reason why I went to Ithaca,” said Brown. “I knew that we would play for those.”
During his time at Ithaca, Brown had to earn his place on the team every year. Despite starting the first thirteen games of the championship-winning season, he encountered a slump in performance. It was then that the team captain approached him and emphasized the importance of his attitude and response to being demoted.
The captain’s words resonated with him, and he realized that how he handled setbacks would shape his success in the program.
“I had the captain come up to me and say, ‘how you behave with your demotion will depend upon your success in this program the rest of your career,’” said Brown. “How many kids would say that to people now?”
Under Valesente’s guidance, Brown learned the importance of earning one’s place, playing with discipline, and prioritizing the team’s success over individual achievements. These principles became the foundation of Brown’s coaching philosophy. While he adds his own personality and approach, the core principles instilled by Valesente continue to guide his coaching style.
“He shaped [my career], entirely,” said Brown. “I am not here today sitting in this chair if it wasn’t for Coach Valesente.”
After graduating from Ithaca, Brown quickly began his career in coaching. Brown served as an adjunct faculty instructor and assistant baseball coach at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua for one season. During this time, he gained valuable experience coaching at the collegiate level.
In 1992, Joe pursued further education and obtained a Master of Science degree in Sport Studies from Miami University in Ohio. During his time at Miami University, he served as a graduate teaching assistant and assistant baseball coach for the Division I Red Hawks. This experience allowed him to further enhance his coaching abilities.
Only a few years after leaving Ithaca and Miami University, Brown’s began his first experience as a head coach for the Ithaca Lakers of the New York Collegiate Baseball League (NYCBL). He expressed his excitement and the sense of being overwhelmed at the age of 25, stepping into the role of a head coach at such a young age.
However, he embraced the opportunity and quickly focused on recruiting players for the team. He found joy in handling tasks such as creating lineups and managing the players. This experience allowed him to practice decision-making and provided valuable insights into the complex world of coaching.
Nearly 30 years later, Brown is now the commissioner of the NYCBL and has taken on significant responsibilities. The NYCBL is one of 12 members of the NESCB (National Alliance of College Summer Baseball), a group of leagues partially funded by Major League Baseball. Brown’s primary goal for the league was to restore it’s relevance. To achieve this, the league has implemented initiatives such as providing free live streams of games, which has attracted sponsors. By making the league more accessible and engaging, Brown aims to enhance it’s visibility and reputation.
Prior to his promotion to head coach at Cortland, Brown had already established himself as a key figure in the success of the team as the top assistant coach and pitching coach. He played a large role in the team’s remarkable achievements, including seven consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament from 1993 to 1999 and four appearances in the World Series between 1995 and 1999.
Brown’s impact on Cortland baseball was undeniable, setting the stage for his eventual promotion to head coach and his continued development and success of the program. He felt that his experience as a head coach of the Ithaca Lakers gave him the confidence he needed.
“Being a head coach in the summer was huge,” said Brown. “Making decisions, managing the game, that was the easy part. The other part is when you’re sitting in this chair, you have all the responsibilities that come with it.”
Brown’s previous coaching experiences played a crucial role in preparing him for the head coaching position. He acknowledges the value of learning from his different coaching roles.
“Taking on all of the other responsibilities you never knew existed,” said Brown “you just adopt to it, you just figure it out, that’s my dad would say, ‘figure it out.”
As a head coach, Brown prioritizes humility and focuses on the well-being and development of his players. He chooses not to advertise personal achievements, opting to keep the attention on the team and the players’ successes.
“Im not a fan of advertising the nature of your success,” said Brown. “It ain’t about me, I’m just sitting in this chair for a while… These [drawers] are loaded with player [thank you] notes, that’s from the player to me, I don’t need to share that with anybody”
He believes in the value of the coach-player relationship and the impact it has on the players’ development and growth. Sophomore Chris Bonnaci, highlights the impact that Brown has had on him in overcoming challenges on the field and off.
“He is always a text away or phone call away if needed, and he will answer,” said Bonacci. “He helps us with scheduling and what we need to do for school. It’s like having a second advisor, which is a huge help.”
Brown’s approach to measuring success as a coach goes beyond the expected. He emphasizes the importance of helping players earn their degrees and prepare for the professional world. He challenges them to develop the skills necessary to stand out during job interviews.
Highlighting the value of action over words, Brown encourages players to distinguish themselves by their actions. He values the mindset of separating yourself from the rest, not settling for mediocrity but striving to excel. While winning is an essential objective for the team, Brown makes it clear that it’s not what it’s all about.
“We want to win,” said Brown. “But winning isn’t everything,”
He emphasizes the importance of embodying a winning mentality in all aspects of life, not just on the baseball field. Coach Brown’s goal is for his players to become independent and successful individuals. He likens his role to that of a parent.
“They love you, they’ll let you come back,” said Brown. “But they want you to get your own place someday, that’s the goal.”
He knows that success won’t be handed to them but requires effort and determination. Brown’s philosophy focuses on preparing his players for life beyond baseball, encouraging them to excel and separate themselves from the crowd through their actions. While winning is important, it is just one aspect of their overall development as individuals.
Having been an integral part of the Cortland baseball program for the majority of his life, Brown understands the evolving role of technology in coaching and player development. He acknowledges the nature of technology’s impact, highlighting both it’s positive and negative aspects.
“It’s good if it’s used as a teaching component,” said Brown. “Bad if it’s the end all be all.”
Brown raises concerns about the over-reliance on analytics, citing the example of the Yankees having a large analytic department while the Washington Nationals, who won the World Series in 2019, had the smallest analytic team in the MLB. He highlights the practical use of technology in enhancing player skills and providing feedback.
“We have Rapsodo hitting and pitching,” said Brown “We’ve invested in it and I do use it a lot for clinics and pitch development.”
He mentions using Rapsodo to analyze a pitcher’s curveball spin rate and exploring ways to improve it through grip adjustments. Coach Brown emphasizes the importance of utilizing technology for teaching and development rather than solely for recruiting purposes.
He cautions against focusing solely on metrics like exit velocity without considering other crucial aspects of a player’s performance.
“If you use it right, it can be an asset,” said Brown. “And if you use it wrong, it can cripple players.”
Brown’s perspective provided a balanced approach to how technology is used at Cortland, recognizing it’s potential benefits while cautioning against it’s misuse or overemphasis on statistics alone.
Brown is the kind of coach who pushes you to reach your full potential, both on and off the field. One of his biggest strengths is his ability to challenge his players and motivate them to become the best versions of themselves. Even when things aren’t going well, he instills in a strong belief in his players abilities and pushes them to overcome any obstacles.
Above all, Brown knows how to win baseball games. His strategic approach and understanding of the game have led to numerous victories for the team. He combines his knowledge of the sport with his ability to motivate and guide, creating a winning environment.
“His biggest strengths are that he is going to challenge you to make you the best version of yourself on and off that field,” said sophomore pitcher Bryan Bernard. “always looking out for our best interests and keeps in touch with alumni everyday, but most importantly, Brown knows how to win baseball games.”
Throughout his coaching tenure at Cortland, Brown has been a witness to numerous moments that have left a mark on the school’s history. Among these achievements, one milestone occurred in 2008 when the team accomplished a 38-game winning streak. This feat stands as a testament to the dedication of both the players and coaching staff under Brown’s guidance.
Another remarkable moment occurred in 2010 when the team battled their way through the losers bracket in the playoffs to reach the national championship game. Despite playing seven games in a condensed period, the team’s resilience and determination propelled them to the big stage.
The 2021 season holds a special place in Brown’s memory. It was a year filled with challenges and uncertainties due to the pandemic. However, the team defied the odds and overcame various obstacles. Brown met with the players and spoke about the importance of focusing on the team and playing without distractions.
“Not only did we do it, but we won seven elimination games and tied for third in the country,” said Brown. “When everyone said we couldn’t play.”
These memorable games and moments highlight the team’s ability to excel even in the face of adversity. Brown’s coaching philosophy of expectations to win fostered a team-first mentality which has played a crucial role in the team’s success.
The impact of Cortland baseball on the community has been substantial, and Brown attributes much of it to the players and their involvement with the program. Through initiatives like the Crown City clinics and the countless camps and clinics held for the community, the team has absolutely made a positive difference.
The facilities and resources available to the team, including the locker room and other improvements, have been made possible by the support of Cortland baseball alumni. Brown emphasizes the team’s commitment to earning these opportunities.
“We earn it,” said Brown. “We go do it ourselves.”
Looking to the future, Brown envisions the Cortland baseball program continuing to make a positive impact. He emphasizes the importance of the players’ dedication and the team’s relentless work ethic, as well as their commitment to giving back to the community. With the support of the alumni and a culture of hard work, the program is poised to maintain it’s legacy of success both on and off the field.
Brown’s journey from his early life in Clifton Springs to becoming the head coach of Cortland baseball has been marked by dedication and a passion for the game. His experiences as a player at Ithaca College under Valesente completely shaped his coaching philosophy and instilled in him the values of hard work and humility.
As a head coach, he has embraced the role and the responsibilities that come with it, prioritizing the development and success of his players both on and off the field. Brown recognizes the importance of technology in baseball coaching and player development but emphasizes the need for balance and utilizing it as a teaching tool rather than relying solely on analytics.
He measures success as a coach by the growth of his players, guiding them to become not only skilled athletes but also individuals who can thrive in life beyond baseball. Throughout his coaching tenure, Brown has witnessed memorable games and moments that have defined the school’s success.
From remarkable winning streaks to overcoming challenges in postseason play, the team’s resilience and determination have been key factors in their achievements. The impact of Cortland baseball on the community has been significant, with the team’s involvement in clinics and camps serving as a testament to their commitment to giving back.
Looking ahead, Brown envisions the Cortland baseball program continuing to make a positive impact, driven by the dedication and work ethic of the players and the support of the alumni. With a focus on earning success, contributing to the community, and maintaining a strong culture of hard work, Cortland baseball is poised to build upon it’s storied legacy and continue thriving in the future.
As the Cortland baseball team prepares for their game against Oswego in the SUNYAC playoffs this Thursday, they are on a mission to make history in NCAA baseball. With an impressive streak of 29 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, the Red Dragons aim to surpass the current record and become the school with the longest playoff streak in the entire NCAA.
Standing alongside only Florida State, who currently stands at 19-28, Coach Brown understands the significance this achievement could have on SUNY Cortland.
“Think about where we are… small central New York school with a bad climate can hold the longest streak in the United States,” said Brown. “That’s the impact. It’s not me, it’s all the players.”