Familiar names will be on the sidelines and in the stands for Kentucky vs. Texas
It’s Homecoming weekend at the University of Kentucky, and several familiar names will be in the stands and on the sidelines for Kentucky vs. No. 21 Texas at Kroger Field on Saturday night.
Let’s start with two former Cats who will be there in an official capacity, wearing Texas orange. Former Kentucky wide receiver and offensive coordinator Neal Brown is now the special assistant to head coach Steve Sarkisian for offense at Texas. Brown took the role after parting ways with West Virginia after six seasons in December 2024. The Danville native was Mark Stoops’ first offensive coordinator at Kentucky, a position he held for two seasons before taking the head coaching job at Troy.
Fellow former Cat Chad Scott took over for Brown as interim head coach at West Virginia to guide the Mountaineers through the bowl game and coaching search. When Rich Rodriguez was hired, Scott also took a job on Sarkisian’s staff as running backs coach, a position he held at Kentucky from 2013-15. Scott worked with Brown at West Virginia for all six seasons.
When Brown became available, Sarkisian leapt at the chance to bring him on staff to help guide star quarterback Arch Manning.
“Neal has been an awesome addition,” Sarkisian said back in April. “When you can have an extra set of head coach eyes, it’s always helpful because they’re always looking for the things that, from a head coach’s perspective, are important to you. You can’t see it all the time, and he’s done a great job with that.”
“[Brownn] has done a great job working with the offense and learning our offense, but at the same time, we’re getting things from him schematically, from a practice standpoint, and especially from a leadership standpoint. He’s been around it. He’s done it at a high level. I’ve got a ton of respect for Neal. That’s why he’s here.”
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On Kentucky’s sideline, current running backs and special teams coach Jay Boulware will also be going up against his alma mater. Boulware was an offensive lineman at Texas from 1992-95 and got his coaching start there as a graduate assistant from 1994-96. He returned to Austin in 2020 to be the associate head coach, tight ends coach, and special teams coordinator for Tom Herman, who was fired after the season.
Rich Brooks returns to Lexington
One of the most lovable Kentucky Football figures will be in the stands to cheer the Cats Saturday night. Rich Brooks is back in Lexington for the game, and, in true Papa Brooks form, is already making the rounds.
Brooks, his wife, Karen, and their friends had an ideal Kentucky Thursday, hitting up the Castle and Key distillery and Keeneland.
That probably won’t be Brooks’ last trip to the track this weekend. Hopefully, he shares more of his adventures on Twitter, especially after a few bourbons at the game on Saturday.
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