MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – In 2011, Towson University alum Brian Fleury was part of a rebuilding process that brought the Tigers football team back to national prominence.  Now, Fleury is part of another turnaround with the Super Bowl-bound San Francisco 49ers.
 
Fleury '02 serves as a defensive quality control coach for the 49ers in his first year with the team.  San Francisco earned the NFC title after defeating the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 19^th and will compete in Super Bowl LIV in Miami on Feb. 2^nd.
 
"Every coach dreams for a long time to be in the Super Bowl," said Fleury. "I'm just trying to filter every moment, especially with how rare these opportunities are.  I'm definitely appreciative of this opportunity."
 
The former Towson quarterback and special teams coordinator has been in the NFL since 2013, including stops with the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins.  Fluery came to San Francisco this year after previously working with 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan in Cleveland.
 
Fleury's role with the 49ers includes studying opponents and making sure all information in the defensive game plan is accurate.  On a typical week, Monday and Tuesday consists of review while Wednesday is when the game plan is mainly constructed.
 
Fleury, a Tiger quarterback from 1999-2002, came back to Towson in 2009 under head coach Rob Ambrose as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach.
 
"Towson holds a strong place in my heart, I was really excited for the opportunity to come back and coach there," said Fleury. "Rob [Ambrose] and I have been close for a long time, everything felt right.  There were some challenges the first two years, but 2011 was one of those special years that you'll never forget."
 
He was part of Towson's strong turnaround as the Tigers went from one victory in 2010 to back-to-back Colonial Athletic Association championships, including an NCAA FCS Playoff berth in 2011.  Towson went a combined 16-7 in the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
 
"That team had a level of character that set them apart from years past, you just knew special things were on the horizon," said Fleury. "It felt that way in 2011 and felt that way with Rob [Ambrose], it is hard to put into words."
 
While at Towson, Fleury worked with Tye Smith and Jordan Dangerfield, each currently in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers, respectively.  This season, Smith was part of a big run with the Titans, the 6-seed from the AFC that made the conference title game, one contest shy of being the team opposite the 49ers in the Super Bowl.
 
Fleury is proud with the success of each Smith and Dangerfield as well as longtime NFL veteran Jermon Bushrod, who won a Super Bowl with the New Orleans Saints.  Smith continued playing at Towson after Fleury left for the Buffalo Bills in 2013, helping Ambrose and the Tigers earn a berth in the FCS National Championship Game.
 
"It is so rewarding, we were on similar journeys, scratching and clawing our way to try to build successful careers in the NFL," said Fleury. "It built a deeper, mutual respect with each other, we were fighting similar battles.  We are very close, we all realize that we need to support each other."
 
Fleury continues to keep several ties to Towson.  He met his wife at Towson plus keeps in contact with many of his teammates that he played with under coach Gordy Combs.
 
"My Towson teammates are guys I talk to on a regular basis, more than any other friends," said Fleury. "It is a bond that will never break."
 
Fleury and the 49ers will compete against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 2^nd in Miami Gardens, Florida.
 
- TowsonTigers.com –