West Virginia has officially parted ways with football coach Neal Brown, following a challenging season that saw the Mountaineers struggle in the Big 12. This decision comes amid ongoing concerns about the team’s performance and direction.
Athletic director Wren Baker made the announcement, expressing his best wishes for Brown and his family as they move on to new opportunities. Baker’s statement reflects a respectful acknowledgment of Brown’s efforts during his tenure.
In his six seasons at the helm, Brown recorded a 37-35 overall record, with this year’s performance culminating in a 6-6 finish. Unfortunately, his teams failed to contend for a Big 12 championship or achieve a ranking in the AP Top 25 poll, suffering nine consecutive losses against ranked opponents.
Brown’s contract includes a $9.5 million buyout, which will be paid out for the final three years of his agreement. This financial aspect highlights the significant investment the university made in hopes of turning the program around.
Despite the challenges, Brown had been actively working to secure his position, especially after being retained in November 2022, shortly after Baker’s appointment as athletic director. The previous year, Baker had shown confidence in Brown, even extending his contract following a 9-4 season.
However, the return to mediocrity and a series of setbacks proved insurmountable for Brown. West Virginia’s offense struggled, despite the presence of talented players like dual-threat quarterback Garrett Greene and running backs Jahiem White and C.J. Donaldson. The defense also faced significant issues, ranking poorly in passing yards allowed.
Under Brown’s leadership, the Mountaineers experienced their worst six-year stretch since Gene Corum’s tenure from 1960-65. While there were moments of promise, the inconsistency was evident, particularly on the road, where the team posted a 13-20 record, with several losses by substantial margins.
After a significant loss to Texas Tech, Brown reflected on the season, acknowledging that the final record fell short of expectations. He noted moments where the team showed resilience, but ultimately, it was not enough to secure his position.
Fan discontent grew, particularly after a home defeat to Iowa State, where Brown’s response to a question about fan engagement did not resonate well. His attempt to highlight the atmosphere of the games was met with criticism, leading to billboards demanding his dismissal in Morgantown.
In a bid to address defensive struggles, Brown dismissed defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley after a particularly tough game against Kansas State. Following this change, West Virginia saw mixed results, winning one game but losing two of the last three.
The Mountaineers have not claimed a league title since 2011, marking a significant gap since their successful run in the Big East. This long drought underscores the challenges that lie ahead for the program.
At 44 years old, Brown was navigating his first major-college head coaching position after a successful stint at Troy, where he led the team to a 35-16 record and a Sun Belt championship in 2017. His experience at Troy had raised hopes for a turnaround at West Virginia, but the results did not materialize.
