im Brownlee is a former college baseball coach best known for his 23 seasons as head coach at the University of Evansville, where he became the winningest coach in program history.

Playing and early career

Brownlee played third base at Illinois State University and was a member of the Redbirds’ 1969 NCAA Division II national championship team. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Illinois State in 1970 and later returned to the university as an assistant coach.

University of Evansville

Brownlee became head baseball coach at the University of Evansville in 1980 and remained with the Purple Aces through the 2002 season. He transformed the program into a consistent winner, finishing his UE career with 701 victories.

Brownlee led Evansville to conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure. One of his most notable seasons came in 1988, when the Aces finished 44–20 and defeated No. 1-ranked Arizona State in the NCAA Tournament.

In 2000, Brownlee guided Evansville to a 41–22 record and another NCAA Tournament appearance and was named Missouri Valley Conference Coach of the Year. He was also named conference Coach of the Year in 1983, 1984 and 1985.

Brownlee coached numerous standout players at Evansville, including Andy Benes, who became the 1988 national player of the year and the No. 1 overall selection in the Major League Baseball Draft. His players also included future major leaguer Jamey Carroll.

Later career and legacy

Brownlee returned to Illinois State as head coach from 2003 to 2009. In 2012, he briefly returned to coaching as interim pitching coach at the University of Iowa.

Brownlee was inducted into the University of Evansville Athletics Hall of Fame in 2005. He is also a member of the Illinois State Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of its 1969 national championship team.

His sons, Tim and Ryan Brownlee, both played for him at the University of Evansville, with Ryan later becoming a college baseball coach.