Some things never change – like the desire and drive to win.

Cornell Brown returns to McMahon Stadium 12 years after his previous stint with the Stamps, fired up to help the Red & White return to the top.

“It’s not different,” said the new defensive line coach, hired February 9th 2022. “My office moved and there are some people that were here that are no longer here so that’s a big change.”

“In general it’s just a little bit of nostalgia being back here.”

“It’s a good opportunity to do it again. It does feel like it was just yesterday that it wasn’t long ago that I was here in the same capacity. It’s exciting more than anything.”

“Driving to work and everything it really brings it all back.”

Brown spent three seasons (2008-10) as the Red and White’s defensive line coach, before heading Stateside to work alongside College Football Hall-of-Famer Frank Beamer for the Virginia Tech Hokies. Brown later worked with John ‘Doc’ Holliday at Marshall from 2017-2020 and Todd Whitten at Tarleton State in 2021.

How he finds himself back in Calgary, bringing with him a deeper resume.

“He really hasn’t changed,” remarked head coach Dave Dickenson. “He has got more experience, though.”

“I think he’ll add even more to the coaching side because of his chance to work with other people.”

“We always liked his energy. We always liked the way he coached.”

Dickenson said he is excited to see what Brown can establish with the outside positions on the line.

“Corey Mace was kind of an inside line coach … going against the centers and guards,” said the head coach. “We’re hoping that the inside guys, our veterans Mike Rose, Shawn Lemon, Derek Wiggan, continue to have the great foundation that Corey laid and now maybe we can add to the defensive end position.”

“More pass rush moves from the outside and use Cornell’s expertise in that area.”

And he’ll try and do it in familiar ‘fashion,’ joked Dickenson.

“You’re going to see him wear a lot of hoodies, in the summer and in the winter,” he said. “ I remember that was his trademark. Not quite known like ‘The Hoodie’ like Bill Belichick, though.”

While the desire to win here is constant, Brown has noticed a few differences in the city since he left.

“A lot of things have changed like the new growth, new roads and everything,” he said. “But it’s very comforting to know that it’s still Calgary.”

His goal here with the Stamps remains the same as before – to win the Grey Cup.

“I’m more or less trying to fit into their environment (and) what they had established with Coach Mace,” he explained. “As a whole … the Stampeders, in general, are a top-flight organization. The people are top flight.”

“Myself, I want to be able to add any values, anything I possibly can to become part of this organization. That’s probably the biggest goal.”

“I left here and was part of a win (in 2008). I’d love to come back and be part of a win.”