W&M TRIBE FOOTBALL
ASSISTANT COACHES
Vincent Brown
Christian Taylor
Gordon Sammis
Vincent Brown is in his third season as the Tribe’s associate head coach/ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Brown successfully helped guide the program through the challenges. W&M’s defense allowed just 322.0 yards per game last season, including just 167.7 yards per contest through the air. Highlighting the individual accolades was standout defensive end Will Kiely who earned secondteam all-conference honors. Brown’s first season leading W&M’s defense provided a number of highlights, as his unit established itself among the league’s best in creating turnovers. In addition to leading the Colonial Athletic Association with 2.0 forced turnovers per game, the Tribe’s 24 forced turnovers marked the program’s highest total since 2009. W&M’s defense also nearly broke into the program’s single-season top-10 lists in multiple categories. Its 30 sacks were just one shy, while its rushing defense (152.9) was just 3.0 yards from ranking among the program’s very best. Bill Murray highlighted the individual Tribe standouts who benefited from Brown’s tutelage, as the standout defensive tackle earned first-team All-America honors from Hero Sports and signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots. Brown, a former All-Pro linebacker for the New England Patriots, took over the Tribe’s defense in 2019 after stints as a coordinator at Howard University and UConn. He also coached at the University of Virginia and with the Dallas Cowboys. A three-time All-Pro linebacker for the New England Patriots (1991, 1992, 1993), Brown was selected in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft. He went on to start 103 of 123 games for the Patriots before retiring in 1995. Brown and his wife, Chandra, have four children: Dane, Vincent II, Raven and Jorian.
Following an unprecedented year in which the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Christian Taylor returns for his second season as the Tribe’s offensive coordinator and running backs coach. While the unique season provided challenges to installing a new offensive system, it also enabled the unit to begin building a foundation upon which future success will be realized. In addition to ranking fourth in the Colonial Athletic Association in passing efficiency (133.1), a pair of standouts earned postseason honors – left tackle Andrew Trainer (All-CAA Second Team) and running back Malachi Imoh (VaSID All-State Second Team). After leading one of the nation’s most productive offensive units at the University of San Diego from 2018-19, Taylor returned to his alma mater in the winter of 2020. Taylor, who played quarterback at W&M from 2002-06 and was an assistant coach on the Tribe’s staff for two seasons (2008-09), returned to Williamsburg with impressive credentials that includes being selected as a finalist as the 2018 FCS Coordinator of the Year. Under Taylor’s direction, USD ranked among the nation’s top 10 in scoring offense (10th in 2018; 5th in 2019) and was sixth in total offense in 2019. Additionally, the Toreors ranked second nationally in passing offense in 2018 and 11th in 2019, as they earned earn a pair of conference championships and FCS Playoff berths. Taylor began his coaching career as W&M’s tight ends coach in 2008 before leading the Tribe’s quarterbacks in 2009, helping lead the squad earn a FCS Playoff semifinal appearance. Originally from Yorktown, Virginia, Taylor attended Grafton High School. He is married to Shay Timms and they have two sons, Anthony and Tyler. Shay earned her undergraduate degree (BBA ‘96) and Law degree (JD ‘99) from USD.
Gordon Sammis is in his third season at William & Mary as the offensive line coach and his second as the run game coordinator. Although the COVID-19 global pandemic limited last season’s campaign to a three-game slate during the spring, Sammis’ unit posted a successful year and was responsible for much of the offensive production. Left tackle Andrew Trainer highlighted the group’s individual accolades and earned second-team all-conference honors. Under Sammis’ direction, the Tribe’s offensive line was a catalyst for W&M’s tremendous improvement in 2019. In addition to nearly doubling its scoring output compared to 2018, W&M averaged nearly 100 more total yards per game than it did in the season prior to Sammis’ arrival. The offensive line’s play was especially effective in boosting the Tribe’s rushing attack, which increased its production on the ground by more than 130 yards per game and scored 21 more rushing touchdowns than the squad’s 2018 figures. Additionally, the Tribe’s 26 rushing touchdowns was just one shy of breaking into the program’s single-season top-10 list, while its 462 rushing yards in the win against Rhode Island set a singlegame school record. Highlighting the individuals who benefited from Sammis’ tutelage was Mark Williamson, who garnered all-conference honors as the Tribe’s starting right guard. Sammis successful coaching career has also included stints at Lafayette College, VMI and Columbia University. A 2007 University of Virginia graduate, Sammis earned a degree in Government after a playing career as an offensive guard that spanned from 2003-07. Sammis returned to his alma mater as a graduate assistant coach from 2010-12, earning a master’s degree in education in 2012. He worked as an offensive line assistant during his first season and with the tight ends the following year.
Assoc. HC; Def. Coord. • LB 3rd Season
Offensive Coordinator • QB 2nd Season
19
Run Game Coordinator • OL 3rd Season
