Hillsboro Fires Football Coach Anthony Brown After 5 Seasons

Metro Nashville Public Schools confirms the dismissal of the Burros' head coach following a 17-33 record.

Feb. 9, 2026 at 3:55pm

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Hillsboro High School has fired its head football coach Anthony Brown after five seasons with the program. Metro Nashville Public Schools athletic director Mark North confirmed the dismissal to The Tennessean. Brown, a former Glencliff and Tennessee State player, went 17-33 during his tenure, including a 6-5 season in 2023 that ended with a first-round playoff loss.

Why it matters

Hillsboro has a strong football tradition, winning state titles in 2003 and 2008, and being state runners-up in 2014, 2006, 2002 and 2001. The dismissal of Brown comes as the school looks to return to its winning ways and rebuild the program.

The details

Brown took over the Hillsboro football program in 2021, replacing longtime coach Maurice Fitzgerald who had a 26-19 record in four seasons. In Brown's five years, the Burros struggled to find consistent success, going 17-33 overall. His best season was in 2023 when the team went 6-5 and lost in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs.

  • Anthony Brown was hired as Hillsboro's head football coach in 2021.
  • In 2023, the Burros went 6-5 and lost in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs under Brown's leadership.
  • On February 9, 2026, Metro Nashville Public Schools athletic director Mark North confirmed that Hillsboro had fired Anthony Brown as its head football coach.

The players

Anthony Brown

The former head football coach of Hillsboro High School, who went 17-33 in five seasons with the program.

Mark North

The athletic director for Metro Nashville Public Schools, who confirmed the dismissal of Anthony Brown as Hillsboro's head football coach.

Maurice Fitzgerald

The former head football coach of Hillsboro High School, who had a 26-19 record in four seasons before being replaced by Anthony Brown.

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What they’re saying

“Hillsboro has fired Anthony Brown as its football coach, Metro Nashville Public Schools athletic director Mark North confirmed to The Tennessean.”

— Mark North, Metro Nashville Public Schools Athletic Director

What’s next

Hillsboro will now begin the search for a new head football coach to lead the program and restore its winning tradition.

The takeaway

The dismissal of Anthony Brown as Hillsboro's head football coach after five seasons with a 17-33 record highlights the high expectations and pressure to succeed at a program with a strong history of winning state championships and reaching the title game.