College football: Texas' Brown mum on future amid speculation

Texas coach Mack Brown declined to say Thursday whether the Alamo Bowl will be his final game, amid intense speculation following another disappointing season that began with the Longhorns talking about becoming national championship contenders again.

"My situation has not changed," Brown said.

Speaking to reporters for the first time since multiple published reports this week indicated that he might step down, Brown said he has yet to talk with new Texas athletic director Steve Patterson and university president Bill Powers about the job he has held since 1998.

Brown deflected several other questions about his future during a news conference in San Antonio about Texas' bowl game against Oregon on Dec. 30.

"I want to sit down with [Patterson] and Bill in the near future and talk about where we're going and where our program is going," Brown said.

In Austin, Powers reasserted his support for Brown and said they planned to speak in the coming days. Powers is among Brown's top supporters, and received a cautious endorsement later Thursday from his frustrated chancellor to temporarily quiet speculation about his own future.

McCarron named player of the year

Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron won the Maxwell Award, given to college football's player of the year.

McCarron was presented with the award Thursday during the 23rd College Football Awards Show at Disney in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

The fifth-year senior led Alabama to an 11-1 season. He threw for 2,676 yards and 26 touchdowns with five interceptions.

Meanwhile, Florida State star Jameis Winston won the Davey O'Brien Award, given to the nation's top quarterback.

Both are finalists for the Heisman Trophy, which will be handed out Saturday.