[3] Brown pitched for Southeastern Oklahoma State University wrapping up his playing career with the Savages in 1989.

During Brown's time in Amarillo he also served as the team's pitching coach from 1994 to 1997 and was the club's manager from 1998 to 2000, compiling a 203–77 (.725) record which included winning the Texas–Louisiana League Championship in 1999.

His first job with the Mariners was manager of the club's single-A affiliate, the San Bernardino Stampede.

He helped San Bernardino reach the postseason in 2001 with a 43–27 second-half record, tops in the South Division, but fell in the first round of the playoffs.

The Holdenville, Oklahoma native became the all-time leader in managerial wins in Tacoma franchise history last season when he notched his 376th victory with the Rainiers on May 28 vs. Tucson.