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Oct 7, 2023; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Colorado Buffaloes tight end coach Tim Brewster against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Former Jackson State Assistant Coach Joins The Sacramento State Staff

Originally posted on HBCUs on SI | By Kyle Mosley | Last updated Jun 25, 2025 5:52 AM ET

Tim Brewster has accepted a new role as the senior associate head coach at Sacramento State. The veteran football coach has over three decades of experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels.

Former Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders hired him as an offensive assistant and tight ends coach in 2022. Brewster's wealth of experience helped to boost the Tigers to two SWAC Championships. He left JSU to join Coach Prime at Colorado.

He is well-known for his work with tight ends and previously coached at the University of Florida, where he guided Kyle Pitts to win the John Mackey Award and become the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history.

When Jackson State shifted to an "Air Raid" system under the new offensive coordinator Brett Bartolone, Brewster concentrated on improving the tight end position, which was a crucial element in the Tigers' offensive scheme.

His addition to the staff was part of a broader effort to strengthen Jackson State's offensive versatility and recruiting reach.

Career Highlights

Collegiate Head Coach: Brewster served as the head coach at the University of Minnesota from 2007 to 2010, leading the Gophers to two bowl appearances. Interim head coach at UNC Charlotte.
NFL Experience: He spent five seasons as an NFL assistant coach, including time with the San Diego Chargers and Denver Broncos
FBS Background: Brewster has coached at seven FBS schools, including Texas, North Carolina, Florida State, Florida, Texas A&M, and Mississippi State.
Recruiting Success: Known as an accomplished recruiter, Brewster helped assemble top-ranked recruiting classes at North Carolina and Florida State, earning recognition as one of the nation's top recruiters.
Player Development: He has developed 12 NFL tight ends, including two John Mackey Award winners and several players who went on to sign NFL contracts.

Move to Sacramento State

Last season, Brewster served as the interim head coach at UNC Charlotte. Tuesday's announcement revealed that the veteran coach has accepted the position of senior associate head coach at Sacramento State under new head coach Brennan Marion.

This move marks a new chapter in Brewster's successful coaching career, where he is expected to utilize his extensive experience in player development, recruiting, and program building for the Hornets.

Previous Tim Brewster Coverage:

Report: Deion Sanders, Jackson State to Hire Former Power 5 Coach Tim Brewster

According to Matt Zenitz, Jackson State will hire veteran Power 5 coach Tim Brewster to the football coaching staff. Brewster groomed the Atlanta Falcons' 2021 No. 1 pick tight end Kyle Pitts at the University of Florida while under former head coach Dan Mullens.

Brewster's expertise is in coaching tight ends and wide receivers. He was an assistant coach in the NFL with the Chargers and Broncos. The ex-collegiate tight end worked on the college staffs at Florida, North Carolina, Texas A&M, Florida State, Mississippi State, and Purdue.

Florida Gators assistant coach Tim Brewster during a football game between the Florida Gators and the Vanderbilt Commodores at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. October 9, 2021. Flagi 100921 Gatorsvandyfb 52; Credit:© Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK

Brewster, 61, was the head coach of the University of Minnesota from 2007 to 2010.

Deion Sanders must see the need to elevate the tight end position at Jackson State for him to add Brewster to the staff. Last season, senior tight end Kyland Richey had 11 receptions for 138 yards and no touchdowns. Freshman Jency Riley had one catch for 3 yards.

Jackson State hired offensive coordinator Brett Bartolone to implement the "Air Raid" offense at Jackson State, with Shedeur Sanders being the signal-caller. At Texas Tech, current Arizona Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury used the tight end position in the Air Raid scheme for motions, run blocking, the screen game, and receiving. Unlike one of the system's innovators, Mike Leach employed the position early in his career. The Mississippi State head coach once said, "The best tight ends we have are typically playing D-line."

The Tigers officially list Jency Riley as their lone tight end. Sanders and Brewster must have a specific plan for the position within Bartolone's offense. At the moment, we have to see how the role develops.