Brown leaves UAB, goes home to coach Tennessee Tech

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Watson Brown, the coach who oversaw UAB move to Division I-A during 12 seasons but suffered through a disappointing 3-9 year, resigned and was introduced as the coach at Tennessee Tech hours later Saturday.

The 45-year-old Brown is a Cookeville native.

"The time is right, and this is a great opportunity to make a quick move and really improve the Golden Eagle football program to the point where we can win conference championships and make a run at a national championship," Brown said.

"We want to win immediately."

Tennessee Tech officials planned to introduce Brown to fans at halftime of a men's basketball game later Saturday night.

"We are excited to attract a coach with the head coaching experience that Watson Brown has," Tennessee Tech athletic director Mark Wilson said. "We look forward to him leading our team to Ohio Valley Conference championships, regional and national prominence."

Speaking of Wilson, Brown said, "I felt comfortable with him, and I really respect his attitude and what he wants to accomplish."

Brown told his UAB Blazers about his resignation and move during a meeting Saturday before leaving for Cookeville and the Division I-AA program.

"He wanted to be with the players face to face," UAB sports publicist Norm Reilly said

Brown said the change was difficult, especially after spending 12 years building a program.

UAB president Carol Garrison promised a "thorough, discreet and successful search" to replace Brown.

"I, and the entire UAB community, appreciate his hard work and efforts in establishing our program," Garrison said.

UAB recently negotiated with Brown assistant and Auburn Heisman Trophy winner Pat Sullivan about taking over as head coach, but talks broke down and Sullivan was named head coach at I-AA Samford.

The UAB search will be overseen by athletic administrators Brian Mackin and Lee Moon, who earlier this year hired former Indiana basketball coach Mike Davis and Birmingham-Southern baseball coach Brian Shoop.

Brown's record at UAB was 62-74, and he has a career record of 94-151 that includes stops at Cincinnati, Rice and Vanderbilt. He was offensive coordinator at Mississippi State and Oklahoma before going to UAB in 1995.

At Tennessee Tech, Brown will replace Mike Hennigan, who took a medical leave of absence during the 2006 season. Hennigan originally resigned in July, then rescinded that and went on leave.

The Golden Eagles (4-7, 4-4 in the OVC) ended the season with a 32-29 win over Southeast Missouri under interim coach Doug Malone.