One of the staples of Northwestern football for over two decades is receiving some incredible recognition.

Thursday, Northwestern announced that Jerry Brown, who served on the Wildcats’ coaching staff for 24 years, will be receiving the AFCA Outstanding Achievement Award.

Brown was an assistant coach at Northwestern from 1993 through the 2017 season. During his 24-year career in Evanston, Brown held titles as defensive coordinator, assistant head coach and defensive backs coach. It was an outstanding run at his alma mater.

Before entering the coaching ranks, Brown was a three-year letter winner at Northwestern. He spent two years as a wide receiver and was a defensive back in his final year in Evanston. He recorded 12 pass break-ups that season, which set a then-school record.

His long tenure on the Northwestern sideline earned Brown the nickname “The Dean of Wildcat Football.” He served under three head coaches during his time, Gary Barnett, Randy Walker and Pat Fitzgerald.

Brown announced his retirement from football following the 2017 season.