University Southern California Trojans
Keith Brown, Former Assistant Coach and Member of 1978 National Championship Team, Dies at 68
January 08, 2026 | Baseball
LOS ANGELES – Keith Brown, who helped lead the 1978 USC baseball team to a College World Series title and later went on to serve as an assistant coach with Rod Dedeaux, passed away from a heart attack on December 15 at the age of 68.
Brown was a member of the USC program from 1978-79, serving as a starting outfielder for the Trojans and finishing each year as one of the team's top hitters during his tenure at Troy.
After coming to USC from Mesa Junior College, Brown hit .348 (third best on the team), with six homers and 36 RBI in 1978, leading the Trojans to the program's 11th NCAA National Championship that season. In 1979, Brown continued to thrive, hitting .325 while leading the team in RBI (53) and hits (66). He finished his collegiate career with a .335 batting average and earned Academic All-American recognition with a 3.65 GPA in 1978.
Brown went on to be drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 20th round of the 1979 MLB Draft, playing two seasons in the organization's system. In 98 games with low-A Niagara Falls in 1979, Brown hit .265 with a .733 OPS, while driving in 41 runs. In 1980, Brown was moved to the single-A Appleton Foxes, where he hit .305, with a .773 OPS and 64 RBI.
After a shoulder injury ended his playing career in 1980, Brown returned to USC and was hired by Dedeaux as an assistant coach. He coached both the JV and varsity teams while at USC, staying on with the Trojans through the 1986 season. He was an integral part of the USC staff as he helped guide the program through the final years of Dedeaux's legendary career.
Brown also assisted Dedeaux with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team during the 1984 Olympics.
Prior to his time at USC, Brown was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up in Northern California, attending Leland HS in San Jose, where he played football, soccer and baseball. Brown was League MVP in both football and soccer, while also earning All-League and All-Region honors in baseball.
Brown went on to play one season at Mesa Junior College in Arizona, hitting .406 in his lone JC season, before deciding to sign on with legendary coach Rod Dedeaux and USC prior to the 1978 season.
Following his coaching career at USC, Brown went into the manufacturing business for the rest of his professional life.
He is survived by his ex-wife Carol, and his children, Kyle, Matthew and Amy Beth.
Brown was a member of the USC program from 1978-79, serving as a starting outfielder for the Trojans and finishing each year as one of the team's top hitters during his tenure at Troy.
After coming to USC from Mesa Junior College, Brown hit .348 (third best on the team), with six homers and 36 RBI in 1978, leading the Trojans to the program's 11th NCAA National Championship that season. In 1979, Brown continued to thrive, hitting .325 while leading the team in RBI (53) and hits (66). He finished his collegiate career with a .335 batting average and earned Academic All-American recognition with a 3.65 GPA in 1978.
Brown went on to be drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 20th round of the 1979 MLB Draft, playing two seasons in the organization's system. In 98 games with low-A Niagara Falls in 1979, Brown hit .265 with a .733 OPS, while driving in 41 runs. In 1980, Brown was moved to the single-A Appleton Foxes, where he hit .305, with a .773 OPS and 64 RBI.
After a shoulder injury ended his playing career in 1980, Brown returned to USC and was hired by Dedeaux as an assistant coach. He coached both the JV and varsity teams while at USC, staying on with the Trojans through the 1986 season. He was an integral part of the USC staff as he helped guide the program through the final years of Dedeaux's legendary career.
Brown also assisted Dedeaux with the USA Baseball Collegiate National Team during the 1984 Olympics.
Prior to his time at USC, Brown was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. and grew up in Northern California, attending Leland HS in San Jose, where he played football, soccer and baseball. Brown was League MVP in both football and soccer, while also earning All-League and All-Region honors in baseball.
Brown went on to play one season at Mesa Junior College in Arizona, hitting .406 in his lone JC season, before deciding to sign on with legendary coach Rod Dedeaux and USC prior to the 1978 season.
Following his coaching career at USC, Brown went into the manufacturing business for the rest of his professional life.
He is survived by his ex-wife Carol, and his children, Kyle, Matthew and Amy Beth.
Baseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs OSU, NCAA Regional Round)
Monday, June 02
Baseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs SMC, NCAA Regional Round)
Saturday, May 31
Baseball: Postgame Press Conference (USC vs TCU, NCAA Regional Opener)
Friday, May 30
Baseball - USC 10, Washington 4: Highlights (05/17/25)
Saturday, May 17
