ABOUT OUR FOUNDER

For Andrea “Brick” Haley, football has always been more than a game. It has been a way to teach life lessons, build character, and help young people believe in what they can achieve. Over a career that spanned 32 years at both the collegiate and National Football League (NFL) levels, Brick became known not just as a coach, but as a mentor, motivator, and steady presence in the lives of the players he guided.

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From his early days as a graduate assistant at Arkansas to coaching at some of the nation’s most storied programs—Georgia Tech, Mississippi State, LSU, Missouri, Texas, and Purdue—Brick left his mark everywhere he went. He specialized in building defensive lines that were tough, disciplined, and relentless, but his real legacy is the young men he helped grow into leaders. A number of them went on to the NFL, including several first-round draft picks, but countless others carried his lessons into classrooms, careers, and communities.

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In 2023, during his first season at Purdue, Brick was named Big Ten Defensive Line Coach of the Year, a recognition that reflected not only his technical skill, but also the way his players bought into his vision and gave their all. Before that, his defensive fronts at Minnesota, Missouri, and LSU consistently ranked among the best in the country, contributing to championship runs, historic seasons, and lifelong bonds. At LSU, he was part of an undefeated regular season and a trip to the BCS National Championship Game—milestones built on trust, preparation, and belief.

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Brick’s journey began in Gadsden, Alabama, and as a linebacker at Alabama A&M University, where he was recognized as the team’s Inspiration Award winner in 1987 and Most Valuable Player in 1988. In 2005, he was inducted into the Alabama A&M Athletic Hall of Fame, a proud moment that symbolized both where he started and how far his path had taken him.

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But as much as Brick cherished his time on the sidelines, he knew that his calling reached beyond the field. Inspired by personal connections to autism, he founded Brick Road to Success to give families hope, resources, and opportunities. Just as he once built strong defenses, today he is helping build strong support systems—creating pathways for children and families to thrive in the face of challenges.

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Now retired from coaching, Brick pours his energy into his greatest passion: service. Through Brick Road to Success, its annual charity golf tournament and community partnerships, he continues to impact lives well beyond the gridiron.

 

Brick and his wife, Tina, are the proud parents of three sons—Adrian, A.J., and Jeremy. For him, family has always been at the heart of everything, and it is that same spirit of love, perseverance, and faith that drives his work today.