LEXINGTON — New Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops hired Neal Brown, who made Texas Tech the No. 2 passing offense in the nation, as the program’s offensive coordinator Monday.
Brown, a former UK wide receiver, spent the past three seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have ranked in the nation’s top 10 teams in passing offense, top 15 in total offense and top 25 in scoring offense each year under Brown’s direction. Currently, they are second nationally in passing with 361.9 yards per game, 12th in total offense at 501.4 yards per game and 16th in scoring with 37.8 points per game as they prepare to play Minnesota in the Meineke Car Care Bowl on Dec. 28.
“Neal is a young, hungry, dynamic coach who has had a lot of success in the Big 12,” Stoops said. “I want a style of offense that puts defenses in difficult situations. Also important to me was Neal’s familiarity with the people of Kentucky and the university. When you put together the football and the relationships, it was a no-brainer.”
“I’m excited about the opportunity to come home to the university that I grew up rooting for, and having played here, have a true personal investment in the program,” said Brown, who graduated from Boyle County High School in Danville. “Coach Stoops sold me on the job. I’m excited about his plan. He has a great vision about where he wants to take the program and how he wants to do it.”
Before Texas Tech, Brown spent four seasons at Troy, including two as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He has also coached at Delaware, Sacred Heart and his alma mater Massachusetts, where he played in 2001 and 2002 after transferring from Kentucky.
Warford named AP 3rd team All-American
Kentucky offensive guard Larry Warford has been named to The Associated Press’ All-America third team.
Warford is the 12th Wildcats offensive lineman to earn All-America honors and the first since Mike Pfeifer in 1989. He’s the first to be honored by the AP since Warren Bryant made second team in 1976.
The 6-foot-3, 333-pounder has already been selected to the All-Southeastern Conference second team by league coaches, the AP and CollegeSportsMadness.com. ESPN.com and CBSSports.com named Warford o their All-SEC first teams on Monday.
The Richmond, Ky., native did not allow a quarterback sack this season, grading at 90.3 percent while totaling 48 knockdown blocks. Warford played 47 career games with 37 consecutive starts.
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