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KNOXVILLE -- Kippy Brown has returned to the Volunteer football staff as wide receivers coach and passing game coordinator, UT coach Lane Kiffin announced on Thursday evening.

"This is a great day for Tennessee football. When hiring assistant coaches, you sometimes feel like you hit a home run. By bringing Kippy back to the Tennessee family, I feel like we hit a grand slam," Kiffin said.

"Having known Kippy since 1990, I never imagined being able to add him to our staff, but we always start our searches at the top. Not only is he one of the best wide receiver coaches in the college or NFL ranks, he has a great connection to the Tennessee family and was an unbelievable recruiter in his two previous coaching stints here under Coach (Johnny) Majors and Coach (Phillip) Fulmer."

Brown will join Kiffin's staff today in beginning preparations for the Chick-fil-A Bowl. He first served under head coach Johnny Majors in 1982 as wide receivers coach. During his first stint with the Vols, Brown helped Tennessee acquire the nickname "Wide Receiver U," coaching numerous pass catchers to greatness, including Anthony Miller, Tim McGee, Alvin Harper and Carl Pickens.

Brown left the Vols in 1990 to serve as running backs coach for the New York Jets from 1990-1992, before returning to UT in 1993 as assistant head coach and wide receivers coach for Phillip Fulmer. During his second stint with the Vols ('93-'94), the team compiled an 18-6 record. Peyton Manning also benefited from Brown's guidance during his freshman campaign as the Vols' signal caller.