Blazers Hire Coach

Former Vanderbilt coach Watson Brown was selected to guide AlabamaBirmingham into big-time football and out of the shadow of Alabama and Auburn.

Brown, offensive coordinator at Oklahoma the last two seasons, was one of seven people who interviewed for the job of taking UAB from NCAA Division I-AA play to Division I-A, beginning in 1996.

“Watson is the right person at the right time for our program,” athletic director Gene Bartow said. “He is a very impressive, energetic young coach, who we feel will build this football program, both on and off the field.”

Brown replaces Jim Hilyer, 27-12-2 in four seasons.