Tony Brinson joined the Columbia Football staff in April 2008 after four years as an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island. Brinson will coach the tight ends for the Lions.
Junior tight end Andrew Kennedy was named second team All-Ivy League for the Lions in 2009, under Brinson's tutelage.
From 2004 through 2006, Brinson was the Rams’ defensive line coach. For the last two seasons, he coached the team’s secondary. Three of his players earned Colonial Athletic Association or Atlantic 10 all-conference honors.
Prior to his stint at Rhode Island, Brinson was co-defensive coordinator and recruiting coordinator at Bryant College in the program’s first seasons as a varsity sport. He also coordinated special teams, and four of his players earned All-New England 10.
He was chosen defensive coordinator and secondary coach for two Division III all-star bowl games, including the East/West Bowl and also the Holiday Bowl.
Brinson has also served as assistant coach at Kean University and, in 2000, as assistant head coach at New Jersey’s Rutherford High School. At Kean, he was the co-defensive coordinator, linebackers coach, and secondary coach for three years, and wide receiver coach for one year.
Following his playing career at URI, he started his coaching career at his alma mater as a student assistant for two years. He coached the running backs in his first season, and the secondary in the next.
A 1995 graduate of Rhode Island, Brinson earned his degree in fisheries and marine science. He earned his master’s in education from St. Peter’s College in 2000. He was an adjunct professor at both URI and Bryant.
Recruiting Areas
Southern California, Arizona, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah
