EMMITSBURG, Md. -- Milan Brown will become the basketball coach at Mount St. Mary's after Jim Phelan ends his 49-year run at the end of this season.

Brown, the team's associate head coach, was introduced as Phelan's successor at a news conference Friday.

"We had a great opportunity of finding an energetic, talented and resourceful young professional right in our own back yard,'' athletic director Harold Menninger said.

Brown signed a three-year contract that will take effect July 1, 2003.

"This is what I have been working toward,'' Brown said. "This place is like family, and I am very comfortable with the athletics, academics and the entire Mount community. I look forward to leading these young athletes while building a strong program that will carry on the legacy Jim Phelan has built the past 49 seasons.''

Brown began his college coaching career by joining Old Dominion staff in 1995.

He came to Mt. St. Mary's in 1997 and two years later left to work as an assistant at William & Mary. He returned to Mount St. Mary's this season as associate head coach.