Aubrey offensive coordinator Nick Brown has been named the next head coach at Center High School, Center ISD announced on Thursday.

He replaces Ricky Joe Meeks who departed in February to take the same position at Henderson High School.

Brown, an Aubrey native, has spent the past nine seasons on staff at his alma mater and has been the Chaparrals offensive coordinator on a full-time basis since 2022. He was the co-offensive coordinator/passing game coordinator in 2020 and 2021. During that time Aubrey posted double digit wins in 2020, 2021 and 2022, with a peak of 12-2 and a regional final appearance in 2021. In 2024, after moving up from 4A-Division II to 4A-Division I, Aubrey posted an 8-5 mark falling to eventual state champion Celina in the regional semifinals.

“We played Center in 2022 in the area playoffs," Brown said. "It was a four overtime game, one of the most physical games I’ve ever coached in. I texted my wife on the bus ride home and told her if that job opened I’m going after it. I was that impressed with the kids at Center."

Brown started his coaching career in the college game at Southern Nazarene University before moving back to Texas where he started on staff at Callisburg. He also spent three seasons at Fort Worth Diamond Hill-Jarvis and two seasons at Dallas Adams before moving to his hometown in 2016.

Brown says he was very impressed with the interview panel and the Center ISD administration during the process. 

“There were eight folks on the committee, administration and community and I could tell that they are in it for the right reasons," he said. "Everyone had a common goal, to do what’s best for the kids and community and building a total athletics program and I’m excited. Coach Meeks did an phenomenal job here and I’m so fortunate in my first head coaching job to take over a program in such good shape."

That said, it was a difficult decision to leave Aubrey.

“Leaving Aubrey is bittersweet for sure," Brown said. "My whole family is here in Aubrey; we have deep roots. Aubrey will always be home. The great thing is everyone in Aubrey is super excited for me. Coach Ivy has been an amazing mentor and I wouldn’t be here without his support and the support of the community."