Holy Cross has hired Milan Brown to coach its men's basketball team.

Holy Cross said on Friday that it had signed Brown to a five-year contract, with an option for a sixth season. The 39-year-old Brown coached Mount St. Mary's for seven seasons. He replaces Sean Kearney, who was fired after one season.

Holy Cross went 9-22 overall last season and 5-9 in the eight-team Patriot League to finish seventh. The 22 losses were the most ever for the school.

Kearney was hired last year after Ralph Willard left to join Rick Pitino's staff at Louisville.

Brown led Mount St. Mary's to winning records in his last three years, including an NCAA tournament appearance in 2008.