Neal Brown Parts Ways with West Virginia: Mountaineers Set for Leadership Change
After four turbulent seasons at the helm, Neal Brown has officially parted ways with West Virginia University (WVU), leaving the Mountaineers in search of a new head football coach to lead the program forward. The decision marks the end of a tenure that started with high hopes but ultimately fell short of the expectations set by both fans and university leadership.
Neal Brown, who took over as head coach in 2019, was brought in with a reputation as a program builder. His success at Troy, where he compiled a 35-16 record over four seasons, including a victory over LSU and three consecutive bowl wins, made him an attractive hire for WVU. The Mountaineers were looking for someone to stabilize the program after the departure of Dana Holgorsen, and Brown seemed like the ideal candidate to restore the team to prominence in the Big 12 Conference.
However, despite his early promise, Brown struggled to deliver consistent success in Morgantown. Over four seasons, he managed a 22-25 record, with a 14-21 mark in Big 12 play. His tenure was characterized by inconsistency, as the team failed to establish itself as a true contender in the conference. Brown’s squads showed flashes of potential, but they often faltered in key moments, leading to frustration among fans and mounting pressure on the coaching staff.
The 2023 season, in particular, was a critical turning point for Brown’s future at WVU. Coming off a 6-7 campaign in 2022, expectations were high for improvement. Yet, the Mountaineers struggled to find momentum, and losses in pivotal games ultimately sealed Brown’s fate. While there were moments of optimism, such as the team’s upset victory over a ranked opponent, the overall performance was not enough to justify continuing with Brown at the helm.
WVU’s decision to part ways with Neal Brown did not come lightly. Athletic Director Wren Baker acknowledged the complexity of t,he situation in a statement released by the university. “Neal has been a dedicated leader for our program and has worked tirelessly to build a culture of hard work and accountability,” Baker said. “However, after a thorough evaluation of the football program, we have decided that a change is necessary to achieve the level of success that our student-athletes, alumni, and fans expect.”
For Brown, the end of his tenure at WVU comes with a sense of disappointment. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead this program,” Brown said in a statement. “While we didn’t achieve the results we all wanted, I’m proud of the relationships built and the progress made in many areas. I believe that the foundation is in place for future success, and I wish the next coach and the entire WVU family nothing but the best.”
With Brown’s departure, attention now turns to the search for his replacement. WVU is expected to conduct a national search to find the right leader who can guide the Mountaineers to greater heights. The program’s tradition and passionate fan base make it an attractive job, but the next head coach will inherit a program that needs significant improvement to compete at the top of the Big 12.
Potential candidates are already being discussed in coaching circles, and the university will likely target someone with a proven track record of success at a high level. WVU needs a coach who can not only develop talent on the field but also recruit at a high level to bring in the type of players necessary to compete in an increasingly competitive Big 12 Conference.
WVU’s next coach will also need to navigate the evolving landscape of college football, including the transfer portal and NIL (name, image, and likeness) deals, both of which have dramatically changed the way rosters are built. Success in modern college football requires not only strong coaching but also the ability to adapt to these changes.
While Brown’s tenure at WVU will be remembered for its struggles, it’s worth noting the positive contributions he made to the program. Brown worked diligently to create a culture of accountability and character within the team, and he prioritized the academic success of his players. His leadership during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic also earned him respect within the program and the broader college football community.
Additionally, Brown’s commitment to developing young players was evident. Several players improved under his guidance, and a number of them are expected to have opportunities at the professional level in the coming years. His efforts to establish a strong foundation for the program will likely benefit the next coach, who will inherit a team with a solid core of young talent.
However, in the end, the lack of on-field success overshadowed these contributions. The Mountaineers’ struggles in key games, particularly in conference play, made it difficult for Brown to sustain support from the fan base and university leadership.
As WVU moves forward, the focus will be on finding a coach who can return the Mountaineers to national relevance. The Big 12 is a highly competitive conference, and WVU will need a leader who can match the intensity and success of programs like Oklahoma, Texas, and Baylor.
For fans, the hope is that this coaching change will usher in a new era of success and stability. WVU has a proud football tradition, and the program has enjoyed periods of national prominence in the past. The right coach could reignite that tradition and bring the Mountaineers back to the forefront of college football.
As for Neal Brown, his next steps remain uncertain. He is still a respected figure in college football, and it’s likely that he will find opportunities elsewhere, whether as a head coach at another program or in a different role within the sport. Despite the difficulties he faced at WVU, Brown’s career is far from over, and he may yet find success in the future.
For now, though, WVU and Neal Brown are going their separate ways, with both parties hoping for brighter days ahead. The Mountaineers are officially in search of new leadership, and the next chapter in West Virginia football is about to begin.
