Wichita State removed the interim tag from coach Isaac Brown's title Friday, agreeing in principle to a five-year deal with the longtime assistant who took a program in chaos to the top of the American Athletic Conference this season.

The Shockers (13-4, 9-2) head into the weekend with a slim conference lead - mere percentage points - over No. 12 Houston, which it beat last week for one of the biggest home victories in school history. They haven't lost since Jan. 21, ripping off five wins in a row while navigating COVID-19 pauses within other programs that have forced four postponements.

Brown, the first Black coach to lead a Division I program in the state of Kansas, took over on the eve of the season when school wins leader Gregg Marshall resigned amid allegations of verbal and physical abuse dating back several years.