<a href="https://www.archyde.com/where-to-watch-kansas-vs-west-virginia-football-game-today/" title="Where to Watch Kansas vs. West Virginia Football Game Today?”>Neal Brown Era Ends at West Virginia
The Mountaineers are moving on from head coach Neal Brown after six seasons at the helm, multiple sources confirmed. Brown’s tenure in Morgantown included highs and lows, culminating in a 6-6 season that left the program at a crossroads.
Mixed Results Mark Brown’s Time in Morgantown
Brown arrived in West Virginia in 2019 with a mandate to elevate the program. He compiled a 37-35 overall record during his six seasons, including a 25-28 mark in Big 12 Conference play. While he guided the Mountaineers to a pair of bowl victories, consistency proved elusive.
West Virginia’s 2023 season exemplified the peaks and valleys of Brown’s era. The team finished with a 9-4 record, capped by a bowl win against North Carolina. The momentum, however, failed to carry over into the following season. The Mountaineers stumbled to a 6-6 record, signaling a need for change.
One nagging issue throughout Brown’s tenure was the team’s struggle against top-tier opponents. The Mountaineers compiled a 3-17 record against ranked teams during his time in Morgantown.
Contract Buyout Awaits
Details surrounding Brown’s departure, including any potential buyout arrangements, were not immediately available. However, his contract, which was extended last offseason through the 2027 season, is laden with significant financial obligations.
Brown was slated to earn $4 million, $4.3 million, and $4.4 million in 2025, 2026, and 2027, respectively. The buyout stipulates that the university would owe him 75 percent of his remaining salary, resulting in an estimated payout exceeding $9 million.
A Journeyman Coach
Before his arrival at West Virginia, Brown spent four seasons as head coach at Troy, where he amassed a 31-16 record. His overall head coaching mark now stands at 72-50 across ten seasons leading Troy and West Virginia.
Brown’s coaching career is littered with diverse experiences. He served as an offensive coordinator at Kentucky, Texas Tech, and Troy,
amassing valuable experience at the collegiate level. His early coaching stints saw him hold positions as an inside receivers coach at Troy, a wide receivers coach at Delaware, and both a quarterback and wide receivers coach at Sacred Heart. Brown’s coaching journey also included a role as a tight ends coach at Massachusetts.
The Kentucky native’s path to coaching was paved by his own playing career. He began his collegiate playing days with the Wildcats before concluding his career at Massachusetts.
The Search for the Next Mountaineers Leader Begins
With Brown’s departure, the search for West Virginia’s 35th head football coach commences. The Mountaineers, despite finishing with a 6-6 record, remain bowl eligible and are expected to participate in a postseason game.
What were some of the key factors that contributed to Coach Brown’s inconsistent performance at West Virginia University?
## The Neal Brown Era in Morgantown: A Retrospective
**Interviewer:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re discussing a major shakeup in college football – the departure of Coach Neal Brown from West Virginia University. Joining us is [Guest Name], a sports analyst with years of experience covering the Mountaineers.
Thanks for being here, [Guest Name].
**Guest:** Thanks for having me.
**Interviewer:** Let’s jump right in. Neal Brown’s tenure at West Virginia had its moments, but ultimately ended with his dismissal. What were some of the defining elements of his time as head coach?
**Guest:** Brown’s time in Morgantown was a mix of promise and frustration. He arrived in 2019 hoping to reinvigorate the program, and initially, there were signs of progress. They achieved bowl victories in a couple of seasons, which [[1](https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2024/12/neal-brown-out-as-mountaineer-football-coach/)] mentions. However, consistency eluded them. The 2023 season, with a 9-4 record and a bowl win, offered a glimpse of potential, but they couldn’t sustain that momentum in the following year. As the article highlights, a 6-6 season became a tipping point.
**Interviewer:** The 6-6 record brought Coach Brown’s time at West Virginia to an end. Was this a surprise move?
**Guest:** While the decision wasn’t entirely unexpected, given the program’s trajectory, the timing was noteworthy. The loss to Texas Tech at the end of the regular season likely sealed the deal. [[1](https://www.theintermountain.com/news/local-news/2024/12/neal-brown-out-as-mountaineer-football-coach/)]states that this loss brought WVU to a 6-6 record. That, combined with the overall inconsistency, probably led the university to believe it was time for a change.
**Interviewer:** Looking back at Brown’s career at WVU, what would you say are his most significant achievements and challenges?
**Guest:** Brown’s biggest hurdle was the team’s inability to consistently compete with top-tier opponents. As noted in many reports, including the article we’re referencing, their record against ranked teams was pretty poor.
On the other hand, he did stabilize the program, brought in a few good recruiting classes, and achieved some bowl success.
**Interviewer:** What can we expect going forward for West Virginia football?
**Guest:** It’s a crucial time for the program. The university will be looking for a new coach who can build a winning culture and elevate West Virginia back to national prominence. The fanbase has high expectations, and finding the right person to lead them will be paramount.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for providing your perspective on this topic, [Guest Name]. It’s a crucial moment for West Virginia football, and we’ll be following the developments closely.
