BOCA RATON, Fla. – Western Kentucky had a different man in charge Tuesday night. The Hilltoppers still produced the same results as usual.
The Toppers (11-3) finished the year with an eighth straight victory, the first seven coming under former coach Jeff Brohm. Brohm departed Dec. 5 to Purdue and the defensive coordinator Holt took over and became the coach to lead WKU to its third straight bowl win.
Players Dennis Edwards, Julien Lewis and Cullen Reynolds lifted Holt onto their shoulders after the final seconds ticked off and paraded him around the field.
Holt beamed as his team accepted the bowl trophy, then smiled with pride again minutes later as he sat between left tackle Forrest Lamp and running back Anthony “Ace” Wales, addressing the media as a bowl champion head coach.