Staten Island, NY – Former Columbia University assistant coach Tony Brinson has been named defensive coordinator at Wagner College, Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Walt Hameline has announced.

“We're excited to bring Tony aboard,” said Hameline. “He brings a wide and varied coaching background and is regarded as an excellent recruiter. I think Tony will be a tremendous fit for us here at Wagner in heading up our defense.”

Brinson joined the Columbia staff in April 2008 after three years as an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island. Brinson served as tight ends coach for the Lions during his seasons at Columbia. In his three years with the Lions, Brinson mentored Andrew Kennedy, helping him earn Second-Team All-Ivy League honors in 2009. Kennedy, an explosive player in the Lions' run-oriented, big-play offense, amassed 21 catches for 315 yards and five touchdowns under Brinson's tutelage in 2009.

In 2010, Kennedy led the Ivy League in touchdown receptions with nine, while racking up 55 receptions for 616 yards, earning First-Team All-Ivy league, First-Team team Walter Camp All-American, ECAC FCS All Star, and CollegePerformance.com Tight End of the Year honors in the process. Kennedy also led the FCS in receptions, yards and touchdowns.

While at Columbia, Brinson helped produce an offense that ranked No. 2 in rushing in the Ivy League in 2009 and No.1 in passing efficiency. In 2009, Columbia finished in fourth place in the Ivy league, its best finish since 1996.

Brinson served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, the University of Rhode Island from 2004 to 2008. During his first two seasons there, Brinson served as the Rams' defensive line coach after spending his first two seasons coaching the team's secondary. During his four-year tenure at Rhode Island, three of his players earned Colonial Athletic Association or Atlantic 10 All-Conference honors.
Four of Brinson's players established themselves in the Rhode Island record book for most sacks in a single game, most forced fumbles in a season/career, and most pass breakups in a season.

Brinson helped develop cornerbacks Raji El-Amin and Kiameer Johnson, who both received All-Conference honors. El-Amin would go on to play for the River City Rage and the Eerie River Rats of the IFL while Johnson had a free agent trying with the NFL's Cleveland Browns.

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. At Bryant, Brinson also coordinated special teams, and four of his players earned All-New England 10 honors. While coaching at Bryant, Brinson developed two defensive backs, Jesse Lewis and Che Perez, both of whom hold school records for career interceptions. After recording 123 tackles and setting the single-season mark for interceptions at Bryant, Lewis would go on to establish himself in the AFL for the Albany Conquest. At Bryant, Brinson developed a secondary that ranked No. 7 in the nation and No. 3 in the conference for pass defense efficiency. During his tenure as Co-Defensive Coordinator, Bryant's defense held 11 of 22 opponents to 18 points or less per game.

Brinson has also served as an 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.

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.

Following his playing career at Rhode Island, he began 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 Degree in Education from Saint Peter's College in 2000. He was also an adjunct professor at both Rhode Island and Bryant.

Brinson replaces Malik Hall who recently accepted a position as defensive line coach at the University of Massachusetts.