ASHLAND – Berk Brown, a staple of Southern Oregon University football since joining the team as a transfer in 2005, has announced his resignation after nine years on staff.

Brown, 31, held several posts for the Raiders during his time and most recently served as the team's defensive and recruiting coordinator for the past three seasons. He recently accepted a position as an assistant athletic director, assistant football coach and health and physical education teacher at St. Mary's School in Medford, where he begins officially on Thursday.

"It wasn't long ago that SOU football was close to being a footnote, so I would like to thank everyone who has helped the program reach the levels we have risen to," Brown said. "From the alumni, the Raider Red Zone, parents, the athletic staff and administration, my fellow coaches and most importantly the players that have bought into our philosophy and put their minds, bodies and souls on the line – I can't begin to thank you enough. My family and I are forever indebted to Southern Oregon University and its football program."

SOU head coach Craig Howard will announce Brown's replacement later this week.

"Berk will be dearly missed and we wish him the very best in his coaching career and family life," Howard said. "He was one of two coaches I retained from the previous staff when I got here (in 2011) because I found him to be loyal to SOU, he loved the players and the players loved him. He continued to grow as a coach every year and the defenses he put on the field always played with tremendous intensity."

The highlight of Brown's tenure was the 2014 NAIA title game, when his defense forced eight turnovers in a 55-31 defeat of Marian (Ind.) for SOU's first title. His unit shined again during the 2015 NAIA Championship Series, holding Kansas Wesleyan to eight points in the first round, second-ranked Baker (Kan.) to 19 in the quarterfinals and top-ranked to Morningside (Iowa) to a season-low 27 in a semifinal road upset.

A native of Turlock, Calif., Brown came to the Raiders as a junior defensive lineman in 2005 and registered 28 tackles in 17 games over two seasons. In 2007 he joined the staff as a tight ends coach and over the next two years coached the defensive line and special teams. He was the defensive coordinator for one year in 2010 and served as the linebackers coach for two seasons upon Howard's arrival.

In 2013, he was tapped to be the defensive coordinator again at 29 years old.

Brown and his wife, Bethany, reside in Medford with their two young children.