Neal Brown’s era as the head football coach at West Virginia University has officially concluded after six seasons. The university announced the decision on Sunday, following a discouraging loss to Texas Tech that capped WVU’s regular season at a 6-6 record, marking the fifth time in six years that Brown could not achieve more than six wins in a season.
In a statement, WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker praised Brown as an excellent individual and a dedicated ambassador for the university. He expressed gratitude for Brown’s hard work and contributions to the university, community, and state, wishing him and his family the best for their future endeavors.
The termination will be costly for WVU, as Brown’s contract stipulates he is entitled to 75% of the remaining balance, estimated to be nearly $10 million.
Brown joined WVU after a successful tenure at Troy, where he led the team to at least 10 wins in his last three seasons and secured several bowl victories. However, his time at WVU did not mirror that success. Over his 72-game tenure, the Mountaineers managed to defeat only three ranked teams, none of which ended the season in the Top 25. WVU has struggled to achieve national ranking status, being one of three Power Five teams not to be ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 since 2019.
Despite the disappointing results, there was a renewed sense of hope for the 2024 season after a strong 2023 finish, with several key players, including quarterback Garrett Greene and defensive lineman Sean Martin, returning. Goals were set to contend for the Big 12 title, especially after the departures of traditional powerhouses Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC.
However, the recent season feedback showed challenges, including a lackluster defense that frequently placed the team in difficult positions. In light of these struggles, Brown made the decision to promote linebackers coach Jeff Koonz to defensive coordinator halfway through the season, but results did not improve, culminating in a crushing loss to Texas Tech.
Brown leaves WVU with an overall record of 37-35 and a conference record of 25-28. Throughout his six years, his teams reached four bowl games, including this season’s pending bowl selection. An interim head coach has yet to be appointed for the upcoming bowl game.
Looking ahead, Baker announced the start of a national search for WVU’s next head football coach, expressing confidence in the collaborative effort among university leadership and the strong support from fans. Prominent names being considered include Clarksburg native Jimbo Fisher and former WVU coach Rich Rodriguez, both of whom have a notable history in coaching.
As the university embarks on this search, there is optimism for a fresh start that may lead to renewed success, especially with the multitude of potential candidates. Meanwhile, Brown is already linked to a head coaching position at his alma mater Massachusetts, which recently made a coaching change.
This situation presents a significant moment for WVU, as new leadership could catalyze a rebound and reinvigorate the football program, ensuring it fulfills its rich potential moving forward.