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It's almost time to hang another plaque on the wall.
Albuquerque Academy boys basketball coach Mike Brown is on the verge of another milestone.
Brown is one victory away from No. 400, an achievement that could come tonight when the Chargers visit the Grants Pirates.
But for Brown, the milestone isn't about plaques, it's about people.
The people — more specifically the players, parents and peers — he's touched through his disciplined, caring coaching style over the years.
"I would just like to keep this low key," said Brown, who is in his 24th season as head coach at Albuquerque Academy. "I'm not in this for individual accomplishments.
"All those wins represent a whole lot more. It effects people, the community. The milestone, whenever that comes, belongs to them, too."
Brown said tonight's game against Grants will be a challenge for his team. The Chargers are 13-10 overall and are tied for first place with St. Pius X at 6-1 in District 5-4A.
"We've had some great games at the port of the Pirates," Brown said. "They're always a tough team for us."
Should Brown's Chargers win, he'll join an elite group of active metro area coaches with at least 400 victories. Jim Murphy of Hope Christian and Frank Castillo of La Cueva each reached their 500th win last season.
If the Chargers lose tonight, Brown's next chance at No. 400 will come Tuesday when they host the Sartans.
"I guarantee you, Mike isn't worried about that," said Valley High boys basketball coach Vince Coleman, a former Brown assistant. "I'm glad you're writing about him, but Mike is more concerned about his players, both on and off the court. That's just the man he is."
The coach-cares attitude Brown has emphasized throughout his career also has rubbed off on his two sons, both of whom are head coaches in the metro area.
Son Greg was on the Chargers' coaching staff when his dad reached his 300th victory. Mike Brown says he still has the plaque given to him to mark the occasion. Win No. 300 came on Feb. 24, 2001, against Las Cruces O¤ate.
Greg has since gone on to coach at Manzano where he won the state title in 2006 before moving on to take over the basketball program at the new school Volcano Vista.
Brown's younger son, Danny, is the head coach at Highland, where he coaches one of the state's top Class 5A schools.
"I'm very proud of both of them," Mike Brown said. "They both have the ability to do real well."
His two sons can only hope to achieve the same longevity and success Brown has enjoyed at Albuquerque Academy.
Brown, 61, still holds the record for consecutive state championships — winning six Class 3A titles in a row from 1989-94 — and his team's also finished runner-up four times (1995-97 and 2001) in his distinguished career.
"I think they have the love of coaching that I did and they plan to be around a long time," Mike Brown said.

