UK's Brown to take head coaching job at Troy

UPDATED SUNDAY: Troy has announced that it will introduce University of Kentucky offensive coordinator Neal Brown as the Trojans' next head football coach on Monday. Brown is expected to arrive in Alabama on Sunday afternoon before a 9:30 a.m. Monday press conference.

"I am very happy for Neal to earn a head coaching job and believe Troy has made an outstanding hire," Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said in a statement released by the school. "Congratulations to Neal and his family and I appreciate his hard work at Kentucky."

ORIGINAL: Neal Brown knew the questions were coming, and he politely asked reporters outside the visitors' locker room Saturday at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium to hold off on their queries about the Troy head coaching position.

All of two minutes later, he was asked about what multiple national media outlets reported as time ticked down on the University of Kentucky's 44-40 loss at Louisville.

Is UK's offensive coordinator ready to become a head coach?

"I think it's a little too early. I don't want to speak on Troy's search," Brown, a former UK receiver, said. "I'll say this. I love Kentucky. Like I said, I'm proud of those kids in there. I'm proud to have the opportunity to coach in this game. I think this season — and I've said this before — don't let this ending sour what happened this year."

Fox Sports and a number of others are reporting that the 34-year-old Brown, who worked four years at Troy, is the man to replace longtime coach Larry Blakeney, who announced earlier this season he's retiring. Brown, a Danville native who played at UK under coach Hal Mumme, also served as Texas Tech's offensive coordinator before rejoining the Wildcats.

UK head coach Mark Stoops, also asked about the reports, said, "I think we'll talk about that at the appropriate time. ... I think that'll play out in the next 24 hours here."

Brown didn't deny the news, saying, "It's not my place" to speak about them."

And so it's a source of conflict for young UK players such as Stanley "Boom" Williams, the true freshman running back who ran for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns on his 18 carries Saturday. Williams, of course, wants what's best for his coordinator. But he also wants Brown to stick around.

"It's kind of crazy, but like I said, we're not too worried about it right now," Williams said. "We're still worried about this loss we just took. The biggest thing right now is that I wish him the best in his future, but I hope his future is here at Kentucky."