Calvin Brown was introduced Monday as Asheboro High School’s new football coach. He spent the past seven seasons in that role at Providence Grove. (PJ Ward-Brown/Randolph Record)
ASHEBORO – Calvin Brown will try to get Asheboro’s football program back on a winning path.
“We want to compete on Friday nights and I know that’s what Asheboro expects,” Brown said Monday. “We want to change the culture and bring back the winning atmosphere.”
Brown is leaving Providence Grove, where he directed sustained success, to become coach of the Blue Comets.
Among more than 40 applicants, Brown was a clear choice for the hiring committee, principal Dr. Ryan Moody said.
“You look at where we were,” Moody said. “You want to find a coach who is successful, high character, high motor type of guy. … He was head and shoulders the best candidate we could possibly ask for.”
Brown’s Providence Grove teams were 42-34 in seven seasons. He guided the Patriots to their first postseason football victory in school history earlier this fall as part of an 8-4 record.
Brown takes the position held by Blake Brewer, a former Asheboro quarterback whose three-season record was 2-25 as head coach. The Blue Comets were 1-9 each of the past two seasons.
Providence Grove defeated Asheboro 28-14 and 49-0 the past two seasons.
It could be quite a project for Brown. Asheboro is a combined 7-52 in the last six seasons.
Brown said Asheboro, which has about twice the enrollment of Providence Grove, should be the best football program in Randolph County.
“I see that as a great opportunity,” Brown said. “That’s one thing that really excited me and (made me want) to take the job. The potential that is here at Asheboro.”
Brown was also athletics director for the past four years at Providence Grove, where he spent 11 years overall. He won’t hold those responsibilities at Asheboro, where such a dual role isn’t permitted.
“I’m thankful for Providence Grove and everybody there,” Brown said.
Brown stressed a family atmosphere when he spoke to supporters Monday. He said he feels the football team can set the tone for the athletics department.
He said he’ll require a commitment from players on and off the field.
Providence Grove’s eight wins matched the most in program history. The Patriots went 8-4 in 2019 and 8-3 in 2021.
Brown said his Asheboro coaching staff could include a few members from his Providence Grove staff.
Providence Grove lost to eventual Class 2-A runner-up Reidsville, a team it has never defeated in six all-time meetings, in the second round.
Not only will Providence Grove also have a new coach in 2023, it could be a rebuilding period for the Patriots. There were 22 seniors on this year’s team.
