Brown football takes advantage of new field house for spring practice – The Providence Journal

PROVIDENCE – The threat of rain Friday afternoon prompted James Perry to exercise an option he didn’t enjoy at this time last year. 
Brown’s football coach shifted his program’s penultimate spring practice indoors to the gleaming Penner Field House, the 76,000 square foot facility which officially opened its doors in January. 
The Bears ran offensive and defensive drills, scrimmaged against one another and topped things off with some work on special teams during the two-hour session. Players sped across the green turf in white or black practice jerseys and black shorts while quarterbacks wore their usual red tops. A host of high school recruits and their parents watched from along the sideline, a space fronting two workout areas and a reception desk on the higher of the two floors. 
“We’re very, very lucky,” Perry said. “Not just the staff – the kids, myself, everybody. We’re so appreciative to be able to do this.” 
Brown is coming off a 5-5 season overall that included a Governor’s Cup victory against the University of Rhode Island. The Bears also took out Bryant to claim the unofficial title of state champions and captured their final two Ivy League matchups with Columbia and Dartmouth. The Big Green are the only other school in the conference that currently enjoys a permanent indoor facility – Cornell is in the process of constructing one on its upstate New York campus. 
“The first thing I notice is they’re better,” Perry said. “The improvement – we have data that we track that shows they’re getting better because of this place. Just watching on the field, we’re so far along with what we call skill acquisition.” 
Brown is hoping to develop its next team that can top the .500 mark in conference play. That hasn’t happened since former coach Phil Estes went 4-3 in 2012, the last of six straight winning seasons in the league and one of his 12 after taking over in 1998. Perry starred at quarterback for Estes the next year, leading the Bears to a 9-1 overall mark and one of their four conference championships. 
“They’re competing for reps,” Perry said. “But really, what I’m watching is leadership emerge and watching how hungry they are to become the new leader in 2026. We lost some really great ones.” 
James Murphy threw for just shy of 2,800 yards in 10 games last season and is back under center as a senior. Eli Jones worked alongside him at running back with Matt Childs (right foot) in a walking boot. Brown should have depth in the backfield with the bulk of its top rushers from last season set to return. 
Wide receiver Trevor Foley and tight end Levi Linowes received the bulk of the targets from Murphy and backup quarterback Will Curid. East Providence native Xavier Hazard flashed on the perimeter at times after settling in as a freshman last year.  
The Bears will be looking for playmakers on defense and featured the senior duo of Max Malo and Stefano Montella at linebacker. Miles Brophy closed second on the team in tackles last year and is back – he’s added punt returner to his potential responsibilities. Defensive end Jack Middleton and linebacker Tommy Dunn were among the team leaders in tackles for loss and return as upperclassmen. 
“I think the kids are strong, so that helps,” Perry said. “They’re fit and they’re able to practice in a way that maybe six years ago we couldn’t, so that helps. We try to do some things that promote that.” 
Brown shares the facility with other varsity teams on campus and some intramural sports. Lines have been painted for lacrosse and soccer, and the baseball and softball teams got a head start on the spring by beginning winter workouts inside. The Bears will be back at Brown Stadium in a few short months – they host Harvard in the home and league opener on Sept. 26. 
“Watching that is the best part of my job,” Perry said. “These two hours are the best part. It’s a fun group.” 
bkoch@providencejournal.com 
On X: @BillKoch25 

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