He then went on to Carroll College in Waukesha, Wisconsin where he was named "most valuable player" and team captain in both football and basketball.

[6] After a successful college career as an educator and coach, Breen went into the professional ranks with the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) as director of player personnel in 1957.

[7] He was later the first person hired by the Houston Oilers in 1960 as director of player personnel and was named general manager in 1971 and he held that position until his retirement in 1973.

[12] He recognized that the competing NFL teams would cut good quality players, and he recruited them to play at Houston.

[13] After his retirement from professional football management, Breen worked as a sports broadcaster for radio station KTRH in Houston, Texas.