LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Kentucky coach Mark Stoops has announced the hiring of Shannon Dawson as the Wildcats' offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.

Dawson serves in the same capacities with West Virginia and will stay with the Mountaineers through their Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl game against Texas A&M. WVU's high-octane offense ranks 11th nationally at 502.1 yards per game, ninth in passing at nearly 315 yards and is averaging 33.2 points per contest.

Stoops said in a release Friday that he was impressed with the Mountaineers' offensive balance under Dawson, adding, "I love the continuity he will bring to what we've been doing as we build on the progress we've made so far."

Dawson will replace Neal Brown, who left after two seasons with the Wildcats to become Troy's head coach.