Q&A | Brohm's Hilltoppers are up for challenge ahead

Western Kentucky University football coach Jeff Brohm stopped by The Courier-Journal on Tuesday. The Trinity and University of Louisville graduate is in his first season at WKU after serving as the offensive coordinator. WKU football players report on Friday with the first practice on Saturday. The Hilltoppers open their season Aug. 29 at home against Bowling Green State.

How ready are you for your first year?

I feel confident where we're at. I think we've got a great group of kids that are hungry and looking forward to the challenge ahead of us. We have a great staff. I'm definitely excited to get started.

How is your offense going to differ from your predecessor Bobby Petrino?

We're going to keep the same base offense. We'll have changes — whether it'll be speeding up the tempo of play or spreading it out a little more. It depend on who we feel our playmakers are. They'll be subtle changes.

What will WKU's challenges be in its first season in Conference USA?

We played 10 teams on our schedule that we did not play last year. There are some teams that have won and had historically great traditions. This conference gives us a competitive game every week.

What do you know about your season-opening opponent, Bowling Green?

We're facing a team that won their conference (Mid-American) last year. They went to a bowl game. They have their quarterback coming back. They're picked to finish first in their conference. They have a new staff that came from Eastern Illinois. They're going to bring the Baylor-style offense. It's going to be a challenge, tough.

What kind of impact will sophomore wide receiver and Pleasure Ridge Park graduate Taywan Taylor have?

He played as a true freshman last year and had his ups and downs. He has some rawness to him but he's very athletic, a great worker, had a great summer. I think you'll see him have a breakout year.

Will the U of L vs. WKU home-and-home series ever be played?

I haven't heard the discussion lately, but I'm hopeful that it can happen in the next four to five years.

Contact Michael Grant at (502) 582-4069, and on Twitter @MichaelGrant_CJ.