LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sports Network) - The University of Kentucky introduced new head football coach Joker Phillips on Wednesday.
The Kentucky native was designated as the head coach of the future in January
2008 and officially takes over for Rich Brooks, who announced his retirement
Monday.
"Joker is a native of the Commonwealth, an alumnus of the university, a
letterman and a person who has been an integral piece of our last four bowl
victories in program history," said Mitch Barnhart, UK athletics director. "He
bleeds blue and believes in the foundational principles that coach Brooks has
put in place for the program."
Phillips, who was in charge of the Wildcats' offense since 2005, played at
Kentucky from 1981-84 and has been a part of Brooks' staff since 2003. He was
also an assistant at Kentucky from 1988-96.
Brooks decided to retire after seven years as Kentucky's head football coach
after leading the Wildcats to a 7-6 2009 season that concluded with a 21-13
loss to Clemson in the Music City Bowl, which marked Kentucky's fourth
straight bowl appearance -- a feat never before accomplished at the school.
Phillips has also had coaching stops at Cincinnati (1997-98), Minnesota
(1999-2000), Notre Dame (2001) and South Carolina (2002).