NOTES FROM PRESS CONFERENCE: Brown on New AD Patterson “We Hit a Homerun”

Mack Brown said he’s excited about the addition of new athletic director, Steve Patterson.

“Steve’s obviously been very successful at the highest level of sports,” Brown said. “I think we hit a homerun.”

Patterson succeeds current athletic director, DeLoss Dodds, after serving as Arizona State’s athletic director since March 2012.

“The reviews we’ve gotten from Arizona State are just really, really good,” Brown said. “He’s following a legend, we know that, but he’s also a Texas ex and a guy who’s followed this program for many many years.

“I’m excited to have a guy who knows this place, been around this place, and understands the culture of the place, and will help us move forward.”

Brown also denied reports, largely based on rumors, claiming Brown learned about the Patterson hiring via Twitter.

“DeLoss (Dodds) and Bill (Powers) have kept me in the loop the entire time,” Brown said. “There was never a minute I didn’t know what was going on.

“They’ve been great to me.”

 

Ash Attends Practice, But Did Not Participate

David Ash attended practice for the first time since leaving the game against Kansas State with concussion-related symptoms.

Despite his attendance, he did not technically participate in practice.

“He threw the ball and ran around some," Brown said.  “Hopefully that’s a great sign that he’ll be able to return to practice next week.”

Ash will not be cleared to practice until he is free of any symptoms related to a concussion he sustained in the second game of the season.

“They can’t determine whether he has symptoms until they let him get on a treadmill and run some and do some activity, so that’s what they’re doing with him this week.”

Ash should be cleared to practice next Tuesday if not symptoms reoccur.

“(Ash) and the trainers will determine whether he will be available the final three games of the season,” Brown said.

 

Brown Compares West Virginia QB to Case McCoy

West Virginia quarterback, Clint Trickett, has had an interesting college career. The son of offensive line coach at Florida State, Rick Trickett, Clint started his career where his father coached, but it became clear he wasn’t going crack the Seminoles’ rotation.

Unable to play for the team his father coached, Trickett then transferred to his father’s alma mater, West Virginia.

Trickett is a junior whose first start came in an upset over Oklahoma State after previous starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Ford Childress, suffered a torn pectoral muscle.

Though he won’t wow anyone with his stature (6’2” and a mere 180 pounds) or arm strength, Trickett has performed well since earning the starting job.

“(Trickett) is very much like Case. He manages the game, he’s smart, he’s going to make good decisions, he’s a very good leader, and it’s a great story.”

Trickett is 2-3 as a starter, completing 52 percent of his passes and has thrown five touchdowns.

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