Travis Brown

Building a Top Defensive Unit

Travis Brown joined the Roughriders in 2024 as the Linebackers Coach. He added the role of Run Game Co-ordinator when the Roughriders’ 2026 coaching staff was announced on Jan. 9.

In 2025, the linebacking corps included two All-CFL selections (Jameer Thurman and C.J. Reavis) and the team’s leading tackler (A.J. Allen). They helped the Roughriders allow the fewest points of any CFL team during the regular season. The stellar play continued throughout the playoffs.

Coaching Impact Across the CFL

Brown previously spent six seasons (2019, 2021-24) with the B.C. Lions. Under his leadership, Lions linebackers Bo Lokombo and Jordan Williams won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian award (2021) and Most Outstanding Rookie Award (2021), respectively.

Before joining the Lions, Brown spent two years (2018-19) as the Linebackers Coach of the Edmonton Elks. In Edmonton, Brown coached J.C. Sherritt, who earned 100 tackles in his final season as a player in 2018, and current Roughriders Player Personnel Co-ordinator Larry Dean, who was the Elks’ unanimous nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2019.

Playing and Collegiate Coaching Background

After playing two seasons with the Ottawa REDBLACKS, Brown transitioned to coaching the linebackers at his alma mater, Fresno State, for two seasons (2017-18).