Sports

Neal Brown aiming to restore Troy to heights enjoyed during his previous stint

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Former Troy University NCAA college head football coach Larry Blakeney, right, chats with new head football coach Neal Brown, left, after a news conference at Troy University on Monday Dec. 1, 2014, in Troy, Ala. (AP Photo/The Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh) NO SALES (The Associated Press)

New Troy University NCAA college football head coach Neal Brown does interviews in the end zone on the football field at Troy University in Troy, Ala. on Monday Dec. 1, 2014. (AP Photo/Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh) (The Associated Press)

Neal Brown was a 20-something assistant during much of Troy's most successful run at the major college level.

Now, the Trojans' 34-year-old head coach is trying to get them back to that kind of success.

Brown said Monday at his introductory news conference that the Trojans have "got to get back to playing with that edge that got us five conference championships and three bowl games."

The former Texas Tech and Kentucky offensive coordinator received a four-year deal worth $660,000 annually — with a rollover for a fifth year.

Brown replaces Larry Blakeney, who retired after 24 seasons. Blakeney hired him in 2006 and two years later made him the youngest offensive coordinator in Football Bowl Subdivision.

Now, Brown is major college football's second youngest head coach.