Texans' first receivers coach Kippy Brown, who also interviewed for head coaching job, dead at 71

Kippy Brown, the first receivers coach for the Houston Texans, passed away at the age of 71. Brown had a 22-year career as an NFL assistant, with four years spent with the Texans starting in 2002. During his tenure with Houston, he coached Hall of Famer Andre Johnson, who credited Brown for his professional development. After a disappointing 2005 season, Brown was among several candidates for the head coaching position, which went to Gary Kubiak instead.

Brown's NFL journey began in 1990 when he joined the New York Jets as a running backs coach. He also coached for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Seattle Seahawks, and the XFL's Memphis Maniax. Brown won a Super Bowl ring as the Seahawks' receivers coach in 2014 and served as head coach for the Memphis Maniax in 2001.

Prior to his NFL career, Brown was the first Black quarterback to play for the University of Memphis, leading them from 1974 to 1977. He also had multiple stints as an assistant at the University of Tennessee.