West Virginia Parts Ways with Neal Brown After Six Seasons
It’s official: the Neal Brown era at West Virginia has come to an end. After six seasons at the helm, the Mountaineers have decided to part ways with their head coach, the university announced Sunday. The decision comes just one day after a crushing 52-15 blowout loss to Texas Tech, which left West Virginia with a 6-6 record for the season.
Brown’s tenure in Morgantown was a rollercoaster ride, to say the least. After a promising nine-win season last year that earned him a contract extension, the Mountaineers struggled to find consistency in 2023. Over his six seasons, Brown compiled a 37-35 overall record, including a 25-28 mark in conference play. While those numbers might not jump off the page, they tell the story of a program that never quite found its footing under his leadership.
What Went Wrong for Neal Brown?
There’s no denying that Neal Brown brought a lot of promise to West Virginia when he arrived from Troy, where he had led the Trojans to three consecutive 10-win seasons. But things never fully clicked in Morgantown. This season, the Mountaineers’ offensive production took a significant step back, despite returning key players like dual-threat quarterback Garrett Greene and running backs Jahiem White and C.J. Donaldson. The defense didn’t fare much better, ranking among the worst in the nation in passing yards allowed.
Home-field advantage also seemed to disappear under Brown’s watch. The Mountaineers lost four games at home this season and were outscored in the second half in 10 of their 12 games. On the road, the struggles were even more pronounced, with a 13-20 record that included 11 losses by at least 17 points. These numbers paint a picture of a team that couldn’t close out games or rise to the occasion in tough environments.
The Financial Fallout
Firing a head coach is never cheap, and West Virginia will be paying a hefty price to move on from Brown. According to a source who spoke with ESPN, Brown is owed $9.775 million for the final three years of his contract. That’s a significant financial commitment, but one the university clearly felt was necessary to turn the program around.
In a statement, athletic director Wren Baker praised Brown for his character and contributions to the program, saying, “Coach Brown is a great person, and he has served as a tremendous ambassador for West Virginia University. He led our storied program with class and integrity and always put in the hard work necessary to allow for success.”
What’s Next for West Virginia?
As the Mountaineers begin their search for a new head coach, one name that’s already generating buzz is former Texas A&M and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher. A native of Clarksburg, West Virginia, Fisher’s ties to the state make him an intriguing candidate. However, it remains to be seen whether he would be interested in the job or if the university would be willing to meet his likely high salary demands.
In his statement, Baker expressed confidence in the program’s ability to attract top-tier candidates, saying, “I am confident that with the strong alignment among the university leadership, our passionate supporters, our proud history and our willingness to invest, we will have an outstanding pool of candidates.”
West Virginia hasn’t won a league title since 2011, the final year of its Big East dominance before moving to the Big 12 in 2012. Whoever takes over as the next head coach will face the daunting task of restoring the program to its former glory and competing in one of college football’s toughest conferences.
What’s Next for Neal Brown?
As for Brown, his coaching journey is far from over. The 44-year-old, who began his playing and coaching career at UMass, is already being mentioned as a potential candidate for the head coaching job at his alma mater. While his time at West Virginia didn’t go as planned, his success at Troy proves he’s capable of building a winning program under the right circumstances.
Key Takeaways
- Neal Brown finishes his West Virginia tenure with a 37-35 overall record and a 25-28 mark in conference play.
- The Mountaineers struggled this season, finishing 6-6 and losing four home games.
- Brown is owed $9.775 million for the remaining three years of his contract.
- Jimbo Fisher is among the names being floated as a potential replacement.
As the dust settles in Morgantown, one thing is clear: the next chapter of West Virginia football will be one to watch. Whether the Mountaineers can return to their winning ways or continue to struggle remains to be seen, but the search for a new leader is officially underway.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
