MERRITT ISLAND, FLA — Full circle is what most athletes and coaches dream about. 

Hurlie Brown lives it. 

What You Need To Know

  • Merritt Island will play for an FHSAA 5A state championship on Friday

  • Coach Hurlie Brown also played football at the high school

  • Brown's 13-1 team will face Miami Central for the title

  • Central is coached by Roland Smith

  • Brown, Smith were roommates and played on UM's 1989 National Championship team

"This means everything to me," Brown said as he walked around the O-Dome field. "This is where I played, and now I get a chance to come back and help this group of men realize that dream.” 

A Merritt Island graduate in 1987, Brown currently has his alma mater in the midst of a top-five season in football program history. The Mustangs (13-1) play Miami Central on Friday afternoon in Fort Lauderdale for the Florida High School Athletics Association 5A State Championship. 

“It’s like going to Disney World," Brown said. "You go to Disney World, and you come up with a story. 'Coach Brown, you’re going to be playing for a state title.' Not only are you going to play for a state title with this group of guys and this group of seniors, but you’re going against your college roommate.”

Not just a roommate, Brown and Rockets head coach Roland Smith played on the University of Miami's 1989 National Championship team. Smith has Miami Central going for its eighth title in 12 years and third consecutive overall. 

“So we were talking about it about a month ago, 'Like, man, it would be crazy if we play against each other in the state championship game.' He kind of laughed, and I was like. 'Alright, man ,I’m coming for you'.”

Brown is not letting the moment go to waste. He savors it just like his entire journey. Once an assistant at Merritt Island, his coaching career has taken him all across the country, including stops with the Miami Hurricanes and Oakland Raiders. It would take him days to go through all of the 'thank you' wishes to coaches and mentors along the way. 

The same feeling isn't lost on this year's team. Brown has all of the appreciation for his staff and senior leaders. What he's most proud of is what's transpired. This has become more than a great football season. It's a rallying cry for the community. 

“That’s what it’s all about. Getting everyone back together as a people, as one community, saying it’s us against the world," Brown said. "That’s what we’re trying to get done.”