Former NFL offensive lineman Michael Brewster joins Valpo’s staff for the 2024 season as offensive line coach after serving as the tight ends coach at Tennessee State University from 2022-2023, where he signed 15 players (10 tight ends and five offensive linemen) in four signing periods. He was on staff at the University of Cincinnati for the 2020 and 2021 seasons, helping the Bearcats to a pair of American Athletic Conference (AAC) Championships. Cincinnati reached the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl in Brewster’s first season on staff in 2020 before earning a place in the College Football Playoffs and facing No. 1 Alabama in the Cotton Bowl national semifinal in 2021.

Brewster was an offensive line graduate assistant at Bowling Green in 2019 and Western Michigan in 2018 after getting his start in coaching by instructing the offensive and defensive lines at Orangewood Christian School in 2017.

Brewster’s playing career began to take off during his prep days at Edgewater High School in Orlando, Fla., when he earned All-American honors by USA Today, Parade and EA Sports. Brewster was listed as the No. 1 center in the class of 2008 and was a five-star recruit on his way to playing collegiately at The Ohio State University. Jim Tressel’s 2008 recruiting class was known as the “Brew Crew” because Brewster played a crucial role in bringing together the class, which was rated the fourth best in the country.

While playing for the Buckeyes, Brewster started 49 consecutive games, the second-longest streak in program history, and earned a variety of awards and honors. He was a Freshman All-American in 2008, garnered All-Big Ten honors in 2010 and 2011 and was the only junior to be named a finalist for the Rimington Trophy, awarded annually to the best center in college football, in 2010, when he was also named a First Team All-American.

While playing at Ohio State, the 2011 team captain helped lead his team to three Big Ten championships and victories in both the 2010 Rose Bowl and 2011 Sugar Bowl. After his collegiate career came to an end, Brewster was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars and made his first NFL start in Week 3 of the 2012 season. He spent two seasons with the Jaguars – seeing action in 26 games and making 10 starts – and later had stints with the Miami Dolphins (2014) and New Orleans Saints (2015).

Brewster’s offensive line coach with the Jaguars was Andy Heck, who has filled that same role with the Kansas City Chiefs since 2013 and owns three Super Bowl rings. Brewster played with current Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman at Ohio State and they later coached together at Cincinnati.

What They’re Saying About Coach Brewster

Mike Denbrock, Notre Dame Offensive Coordinator: “Mike Brewster is a driven individual who cares about his players, builds relationships and will have a positive impact not only on the offensive line, but the entire Valpo football community.”

Max Warner, Bowling Green Co-Offensive Coordinator: “Mike Brewster will bring instant credibility to Valpo’s offensive line room. His exceptional playing career and coaching experiences make him more than qualified to lead the most important position on the field. Mike has been a leader who is extremely detailed in his work, always learning and looking for ways to improve, and his personality will attract the top student-athletes to Valparaiso. I look forward to watching how hard the Valpo offensive line plays for Coach Brewster.”

Scott Baumgartner, Tennessee State Assistant Coach: “Michael Brewster is an excellent football coach and a better person. He’s a great recruiter, outstanding relationship builder with student-athletes and a very knowledgeable coach. Valpo is getting an excellent coach and person.”