WKU Head Football Coach Jeff Brohm and secondary coach Mike Cassity will be among those honored for their history and contributions to football in the Bluegrass State at the annual Governor’s Cup Reception, Tuesday, June 2 at the Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort.
Brohm, who enters his second season as WKU’s head coach, was a three-year starter at quarterback for the University of Louisville and ranks among the program’s all-time leaders for passing yards, touchdown passes, completions, total offense and completion percentage. He was voted the team's MVP in both 1992 and 1993 and, in 2006, his uniform number was honored by the school following his prolific career. In 1993, Brohm’s 20 touchdown passes set a new single-season record which held until 1998 and he led the Cards to a memorable 18-7 win in the Liberty Bowl while playing with two steel pins and one steel plate in the index finger of his throwing hand.
As the Hilltoppers’ head coach in 2014, Brohm coached WKU to an 8-5 record, broke 50 team and individual records, and guided the Red and White to a season-ending five-game winning streak including a win over No. 19 Marshall, the first win over a ranked team in FBS history, and the program’s first FBS bowl win, the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.
Cassity enters his third season at WKU and his 40th season of coaching football overall. One of the most respected college coaches in Kentucky, Cassity was a two-sport athlete at Kentucky in football and wrestling. In football, he played from 1971-74, starting his final two seasons at safety. He received the Kiwanis Club 110 Percenter Award for his effort and dedication. On the mat, he placed third at the 1974 Southeastern Conference meet at 190 pounds. He began his coaching career with the Wildcats shortly thereafter, working as a student assistant in 1975 while completing his degree.
Cassity played his high school football at Fort Campbell against and has several friends in Logan County.
In 1980, Cassity earned his first full-time coaching position at Kentucky, coaching the defensive backs for two seasons before moving on to Morehead State, his first stint at WKU, East Carolina, Georgia Tech, Baylor and others. In 2004, Cassity returned to the state as the defensive coordinator at Louisville where he helped the Cards win the 2004 Conference USA championship and the 2006 Big East title. Cassity was also a part of three bowl games, highlighted by a victory in the 2007 Orange Bowl.
Other honorees include Gary Barnes and Tom Andrews of Louisville and Mark Higgs and Jerry Blanton from Kentucky. Brohm and Cassity will also take part in the golf rounds the following morning with Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear as well as head coaches Bobby Petrino (Louisville) and Mark Stoops (Kentucky).
The reception will begin at 5 p.m. CT and tickets to the event can be purchased for $100 individually or $150 per couple at DareToCare.org or by calling 502-966-3821.