Pacific Index

By: Ezri Thompson

  Pacific University’s women’s basketball program is entering a new era this season with its newly hired head coach, Alex Brown, who brings a relationship-centered philosophy, a competitive mindset, and deep appreciation for the Pacific community. After recent transitions within the athletic department, the program looks ahead with optimism as it welcomes a coach who values growth, resilience, and the process of improvement. 

   For him, Pacific immediately felt like the right fit. “I was most drawn to Pacific by the sense of community,” he shared. “When meeting the staff, from coaches to administrators, I felt like everyone worked together well and was invested in each others’ success.” That sense of unity was a major role in his decision to join the Boxer community and begin shaping the next chapter of women’s basketball at Pacific. 

   Although new to the university, Brown brings years of experience as a player and mentor. Before arriving at Pacific, he spent time coaching at George Fox University, gaining valuable experience working with college athletes and developing his approach to teaching the game. He played basketball throughout high school, calling those years “some of the most fun of my life,” and he credits it with building friendships that lasted into adulthood. His competitive nature shaped the way he played. “I always felt like I played really hard,” he said. “Ive always been really competitive and felt like the one thing I could control on the court was out-competing everyone.” That competitive mindset influences how he coaches, encourages athletes to push themselves while still enjoying the process. 

   At the core of Brown’s coaching philosophy is a commitment to building strong relationships with his players. “It is important for my players to know I care about them as a person above everything else,” he explained. He believes that when athletes feel supported as individuals, they perform better both on and off the court. His approach emphasizes improvement over outcome, trusting that results will follow when athletes focus on growth. “In time the results will come if we are maximizing our ability to improve.”

   His goals for the program reflect that balance of positivity and competitiveness. “My biggest goal is to establish a culture that is both positive and competitive,” he said. He hopes to create an environment where athletes push themselves to reach their full potential while still enjoying the journey. He also believes that resilience is the most important skill college athletes can develop. “Everyone will experience difficulties and setbacks,” he said. “How you respond during those times is critical.” Brown sees resilience as a skill that applies beyond basketball, shaping how athletes handle challenges in everyday life.

   Brown’s connection to basketball began early in life. “I have an older brother and sister and have a lot of good memories of being in a gym and going to their practices and games when I was young,” he said. Those experiences helped him fall in love with the sport. “I like that in basketball you get to do everything,” he added. “Play offense and defense. Hustle up and down the court to gain an advantage.” That freedom and versatility continues to inspire his coaching today. 

   Brown’s passion for teaching is also central to his identity. Before pursuing coaching as a career, he studied education and saw basketball as the perfect blend of his interests. “Coaching is a combination of two things I am very passionate about: teaching and sports,” he said. His background in education shapes how he works with players, especially as he studies the game more deeply in his coaching role. “Instead of going out and playing basketball all the time, I study the game a lot. I try to expose myself to as many new ideas and perspectives as I can before making decisions.”

   Forest Grove’s supportive environment has already made an impression. “I’m very excited to coach and have the Red Den and Forest Grove community behind our program,” Brown said. “It is a great environment for sports programs, and I love how passionate the University and community are about sports.” With a strong fan base and a campus that values athletics, he sees Pacific as a place where athletes can thrive. 

   As Pacific women’s basketball enters this new era, Brown hopes to build a foundation that will last. His vision is clear: a competitive, resilient, relationship-centered program where athletes grow as players and people. “If you can focus on the process of improvement while enjoying it,” he said, “That’s all you can do.”

   With a new leader, a strong community, and a commitment to growth, Pacific’s women’s basketball team steps into the upcoming season with optimism and purpose. The program now looks ahead to what this new direction will bring and potential for a future defined by resilience, connection, and continued success.