Neal Brown’s Future as West Virginia Mountaineers Coach Hangs in the Balance

West Virginia Mountaineers head football coach Neal Brown is set to meet with his players on December 1, 2024, and speculation is high that significant news regarding his future with the team will emerge shortly after the meeting. Following a 6-6 season that concluded with a disappointing 52-15 loss to Texas Tech, Brown’s tenure has been under intense scrutiny.

The Voice of Morgantown has indicated that news about Brown’s status is expected to leak soon after the team meeting, although the specifics of what this news might entail have not been disclosed. There has been considerable speculation that West Virginia University may decide to move on from Brown, given the team’s performance this season.

One of the key challenges in potentially firing Brown is the financial aspect, as West Virginia University would need to buy out the remainder of his contract and cover the salary for his replacement. This has led to discussions about potential candidates who could take over at a reasonable cost. Rich Rodriguez, the current head coach at Jacksonville State and a former coach of the Mountaineers during their peak in the 21st century, has been mentioned as a possible successor. Rodriguez’s current salary is around $1 million per year, and it is speculated that he might accept a deal to return to West Virginia for approximately $2 million annually.

Brown, who has been the head coach at West Virginia since 2019, has faced increasing pressure due to the team’s inconsistent performance. His future at the school has been a topic of discussion among fans and analysts, with many believing that a change in leadership could be imminent.