West Virginia Fires Coach Neal Brown After Disappointing Season

In a surprising turn of events, West Virginia University has decided to part ways with head football coach Neal Brown after six seasons, as confirmed in an announcement on Sunday. This decision follows a devastating 52-15 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday, leaving the Mountaineers with an underwhelming 6-6 record for the season.

Neal Brown's Tenure and Compensation

Neal Brown, who received a contract extension after leading the team to nine wins last season, finishes his time in Morgantown with a total record of 37-35. As part of the severance, he will receive a payout of $9.775 million for the remaining three years of his contract, according to sources familiar with the situation.

Athletic Director's Statement

Athletic Director Wren Baker praised Brown for his character and dedication, 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.” However, the Mountaineers' struggles on both offense and defense ultimately led to this decision.

Offensive and Defensive Struggles

Despite returning key players like dual-threat quarterback Garrett Greene and running backs Jahiem White and C.J. Donaldson, West Virginia’s offensive output was disappointing. Their defense ranked among the worst in the nation for passing yardage allowed, and the team suffered four home losses this season. Furthermore, the Mountaineers consistently struggled in the second half of games, being outscored in 10 of their 12 contests.

Search for a New Head Coach

With Neal Brown’s departure, the school has yet to name an interim coach as they prepare for the upcoming bowl game, which will be announced next weekend. Speculations are rife regarding potential candidates to fill the head coaching position, with names like former Texas A&M and Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher—who hails from Clarksburg, West Virginia—surfacing in discussions.

Looking Ahead

Baker expressed optimism about the future, stating, “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's Championship History

Since joining the Big 12 Conference in 2012, West Virginia has yet to capture a league title, with their last championship coming in 2011 during their time in the Big East. As the Mountaineers embark on their search for a new head coach, fans and analysts alike are eagerly watching to see who will lead the program forward in hopes of returning to its former glory.

Neal Brown's Future

As for Neal Brown, his next moves could take him back to familiar territory; he is expected to be a potential candidate for the head coaching vacancy at the University of Massachusetts, where he completed his playing career.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops!