The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Watson Brown Named Athletics Director At UAB
Nov. 22, 2002
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - After wearing the interim tag for nearly five months, Watson Brown Thursday was named permanent athletic director at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The announcement was made by UAB President Carol. Z. Garrison.
"From the first time that I met with Coach Brown, I recognized that he was an individual who cares very deeply for UAB athletics and everything that it can do for our university and for the Birmingham community," Garrison said. "He has done an excellent job of moving our athletic program forward this year, and without a doubt, he is the right person to continue in this position.
"Over the past two-and-a-half months, I've had the opportunity to look closely at our athletics program, and I can say with great confidence that we have a strong future ahead," Garrison continued. "I'm impressed with Watson Brown's leadership. I'm impressed with the performance of our student athletes on and off the field. I'm impressed with our athletes' graduation rates, and their community service.
"About football specifically, I feel very strongly about the opportunities it offers to the athletes and to all the students who participate, from the marching band to the cheerleaders and others. Our home games this year have been tremendously exciting. Our affiliation with Conference USA is very important to us, and that affiliation really depends on football. We are moving in the right direction with our football program and with our entire athletics department."
Brown was named interim athletic director in June following the resignation of Herman Frazier. Brown has directed the UAB football program as head coach since 1995. He took over the Blazer football program one year before it moved to the Division I-A ranks.
"I am honored to have this opportunity to move this program to the highest level it possibly can reach," Brown said. "I think that we have created some excitement in the last five months and I look forward to continuing to working with our coaches and staff as we continue the tradition of excellence that has been so long established at UAB."
Handling the dual role of AD and head football coach is nothing new for Brown, 52. While serving as head coach at Rice University (1984-85), Brown also held the athletics director post with the Owls during his second year in Houston. A veteran of 29 years in the coaching profession, Brown has guided the Blazers to back-to-back winning (7-4 and 6-5) seasons the past two campaigns. His 2001 UAB squad, the second straight to be bowl-eligible, finished second in the Conference USA standings.
Brown came to UAB after spending two seasons at Oklahoma as offensive coordinator. He had served in the same position at Mississippi State in 1991-92. From 1986-90, Brown was the head coach at Vanderbilt, his alma mater. His stint with the Commodores followed his one year at Cincinnati and two years at Rice. Brown's first head coaching experience came at Austin Peay where he served two seasons (1979-80).
A 1973 graduate of Vanderbilt, Brown is a native of Cookeville, Tenn. He is married to the former Brenda Arnold, and they have two children: daughter Ginny, who was a four-year letter winner in basketball at Georgia State University (1996-00) and served last year as the junior varsity girl's basketball coach at Homewood High School and currently is pursuing her teaching degree at UAB; and son Steven, who is a junior at Vestavia Hills High School this fall.
