The West Virginia Mountaineers have officially parted ways with head coach Neal Brown, marking a surprising turn of events less than a year after extending his contract through 2027. The decision comes on the heels of a disappointing 6-6 season, capped by an embarrassing 52-15 loss to Texas Tech on Saturday.
Despite securing bowl eligibility, Brown’s tenure ended due to inconsistent performance over six years, where his record stood at 37-35. The Mountaineers managed just one standout season during his time—a 9-4 campaign in 2023 that included a Duke’s Mayo Bowl victory. However, this year’s regression, highlighted by offensive struggles and a defense ranked among the nation’s worst against the pass, proved too much for the program to ignore.
West Virginia has not yet named an interim coach for their upcoming bowl game, but attention has already shifted to potential replacements. Promising names include Toledo’s Jason Candle and Ohio’s Tim Albin, both lauded for revitalizing programs in the MAC. Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki also stands out after orchestrating a dramatic turnaround for the Nittany Lions’ offense.
For Mountaineers fans, the departure of Brown signals a desire for a fresh start, but questions remain about the direction of the program and how quickly a new coach can restore competitive momentum. Stay tuned for updates as West Virginia begins its search for leadership to redefine its football future.
