How West Virginia Football COLLAPSED in 2024: Firing Neal Brown to Win Expansion Big 12 is Key

West Virginia football has a rich and storied history that spans over a century, making it one of the most respected programs in college football. The Mountaineers have consistently demonstrated resilience, passion, and a strong sense of pride throughout their years on the field. With their roots dating back to 1891, West Virginia boasts a long-standing tradition of competitive football, backed by a loyal and fervent fanbase.
One of the hallmarks of West Virginia football has been its ability to compete at a high level across different conferences and eras. Whether in the Big East, the Independent years, or now as part of the Big 12, the Mountaineers have regularly been in the mix for conference titles and national recognition. Under legendary coaches like Don Nehlen and Rich Rodriguez, West Virginia has produced memorable seasons, including multiple top-10 finishes and major bowl victories.
The 2007 season stands out as one of the most iconic in the program's history, where the Mountaineers narrowly missed out on a shot at the national championship. Their victory in the 2008 Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma was a statement win that showed West Virginia's prowess on the national stage.
Moreover, the program has developed numerous NFL talents, from Hall of Famers like Sam Huff to modern stars like Tavon Austin and Geno Smith. The traditions, rich rivalries like the Backyard Brawl with Pitt, and the passionate fan support all make West Virginia football a pillar of college football history.
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[@bshp883]

Yep it's quite sad. The entire WVU fanbase was excited and united behind this team thinking we were going to build off of the progress from last season. However, we've quickly found out that we haven't progressed we've regressed. Now the entire fanbase is united in saying fire neal brown.

[@cole3converse]

West Virginia will induct a former TE into their school Hallf of Fame next week. Neal Brown's staff never offered his son as a QB because they didn't think he was good enough to be a Power Conference QB. That QB visits Morgantown October 12.

[@MetalGearSolid234]

Neal Brown is not the guy. Dana had more success than Brown, but he was absolutely not a WV guy and was a horrible ambassador for the university. NB has more success of representing WV than Holgs did, but we need to find someone that does both that and produces on the field. Who would that be? Don't know.

[@davidframe1613]

Brown is only the coach at West Virginia University because so many of the fans settle for mediocrity.

[@MetalGearSolid234]

@davidframe1613 I mean, fans don't hire coaches. We are kind of forced to settle for mediocrity because it's all we have. However, Brown is not Wren Bakers guy. He's Shane Lyons, who is no longer here. Baker needs to get his guy, which needs to be a home run hire.

[@pitchshot2868]

@@MetalGearSolid234 If you really think BAKER is making any coaching decisions at WVU then you must still believe in Santa Clause. BAKER is a messenger boy and implements any decision he is told to make. He is not a good AD and just will go along to get along. His job as far a FB coaches go is to see what is available and set up interviews, PERIOD. Hire SABAN as a advisor to find a coach if he does not want the job.

[@brada562]

The climb is over. This season is cooked. Last season was, it is becoming more and more obvious, an anomaly due to a weaker than expected schedule.

[@talkingcfbwithJJKitchen]

Clearly not better than Pitt.

[@StanleyMetzJr]

Neal Brown has done most things right. Unfortunately the thing that counts the most, winning, is the one thing he hasn't done well at WVU.

[@jimglucs1883]

Pitt beat Big 12 teams on back to back weeks .

[@David-p4k9q]

Kansas offense should get by on track again the mountaineers defense. Big fan of WVU but I refuse to ruin my weekend by watching Neal Brown run our program in the ground. It’s time for Neal to hit the road.

[@tmurph247]

I'm gonna watch Marshall /Ohio State. I'm done with WVU until Neal Brown is gone.

[@tmisk8088]

I'm a WVU fan, you're spot on. He's exactly that

[@chanscott8968]

Coach Brown is doing a great job extend his contract and give him a large pay raise 😎👍

[@CouzsCornerSports]

Completely disagree with your characterization of Neal. He actually embodies everything about West Virginia. He just can’t win football games.

[@johnwhite5306]

You say Brown embodies “everything” about WV. Are you not understanding what he’s saying? When people would hear the name Bob Huggins they would instantly think WV. When people would hear the name Rich Rodriquez they would instantly think WV. Even after Rich Rod couched at two other power teams, and to this day if a football fan heard his name they would think WV. Don Nehlen WV, Bill Stewart, WV. Neal Brown after this year will had 6 seasons with WV, and when he is gone outside of WV fans his name will not the provoke the visions of WV to anyone.

[@TheYates27]

@@johnwhite5306Yea because he hasn’t won

[@ChristopherRiel-d7c]

Wait to the end of season

[@hughjanus3485]

Been a die hard mountaineer my whole life. It’s really devastating thinking about how far into irrelevancy we’ve fallen during the NB era. I think he’s a great guy and says/does all the right things. Except win. I wish coach the best but change is desperately needed to bring us back to what we once were, a proud storied program.

[@bconawa2]

Neal Brown feels more like West Virginia folk than Holgerson ever did. That’s part of the reason we are having a hard time letting him go. I liked Holgerson for the most part but he never really fit

[@fordlafontaine2389]

WVU cannot afford to fire Brown. The university is heavily in debt and brown's buyout is huge.

[@unclelarry9138]

If you thought WVU could beat Penn state and Pitt, you are delusional.

[@jamelladavis1958]

I think Vegas had their total at 6, outside a bunch of WVU fans and some irrational Big12 fans, not too much was really expected from WVU this year.

[@zacharyrome3432]

This should be a 9 win team , it'll win 5 or less mostly based on coaching .

[@BoomGoesTheDynamit]

Pitt is It Bro

[@jeffruff1179]

Well said. Saw this 3 years ago. The same mistakes. A talent depleted roster. The Climb to nowhere.

[@davidframe1613]

It's been fire Neal Brown time for the last 2 years just everyone keeps drinking the Kool-Aid in West Virginia. If my Mountaineers win another game all year is not because they're good it's because the other team was worse than us. Wren Baker must call Nick Saban first make him decline it which he will and then call Jimbo Fisher which he probably will take the job since he doesn't need money. But Baker should tell Nick Saban before he declines it he's calling Jimbo Fisher next so Nick may take the job because those two hate each other. Nick Saban a West Virginia boy does not want the other West Virginia boy Jimbo Fisher more liked in West Virginia. 😁 It's a true feud. Both of these West Virginia boys have mentioned retiring as a head coach of West Virginia so it's possible but definitely need to ask and if the answer is no move on to the next best option. But Nick Saban has recently mentioned with Pat McAfee we need to fix Mountaineer football. We??. But Brown is out no matter what.

[@Veretax]

Pit had better coaching put Holstein and others in positions before this game we were questioning if it could make a short yardage run situation that they had they did. I thought Neil Brown needed to go last year wasn't very happy that he was extended, I think he was kept out of fear that he might go and do better somewhere else and so this Administration and Neil Brown kind of deserve each other. But I don't think that we should rush out and fire him I think we should let him stew and what he has created and then after the season's over maybe January 1st we let him go and we save some money on the buyout

[@davidframe1613]

Neal Brown has way overstayed his welcome but unfortunately for West Virginia we're a poor State and it's hard to get rid of him financially. But I think it happens now. But definitely I've been saying for two years that guy needs to fire.

[@timothygreen7708]

We've only lost two games and they are non-conference all we got to do is win the Big 12 championship baby and we're in it happened last year and everybody was throwing off on Oklahoma State look what happened let's go mountaineers 🏈

[@itsfurbwv]

Ashamed to be a wvu fan..the climb is over I’d be surprised if there’s many in the stadium vs Kansas

[@pitchshot2868]

Should not be ashamed to be a WVU fan disappointed, yes. What to be ashamed of is the total lack of the WVU powers to be in realizing the BROWN is not a good coach at this level and needs to be replaced. Also the NB fan club needs to be ashamed to be a WVU fan for failing to recognize he is a bad coach and make every EXCUSE in justifying his failure.

[@michaelmartin5869]

I told you that WV suck. 6 of their 9 wins came from beating teams that had a record of .500 or less.

[@davidframe1613]

Been saying it for 2 years everyone just keeps arguing with me. They are like well we was not in four we won a ball game against UNC. Yeah their football team including the quarterback didn't even show up. It was like the Georgia FSU game.

[@matthewburke5502]

Dana is or was just like most West Virginians, and I don't mean this in a derogatory way. A beer drinking, good ole boy that can on occasion get a little too rowdy and get kicked out of a casino. Almost like Huggy Bear. The issue with Dana was he never wanted to connect with the fanbase. Also what little in-state talent we had he didn't go for because he didn't think WVU stood a chance. No, not every year WV is going to produce a four or five star talent but when you do you have to go after them and he didn't. Let’s not forget that Randy Moss could’ve been a player to get you to a Chip if he were at a P4 program. Dana could be cut throat and down right to the point sometimes, just as most West Virginians are but never embraced the fanbase. If Dana would’ve done that the man would have an entirely different perspective on being the HC at WVU and regardless of some down years the entire STATE would’ve been behind him.

[@sbeallvln]

My fantasy when I lay awake at night is Nick Saban coming out of retirement to lead WVU to a new golden era (and bring back the 80s uniforms!).

[@brandongribble]

Dana was anything but a WV guy

[@davidframe1613]

Yes you're right he never fit in at all but the fan base just wanted to win and and he was the guy at the time but I'm glad he's gone. That loss to Houston last year hurt. We can never get that back because Dana is no longer at Houston.

[@jackchambers2126]

Say what you want. It’s about money.We can’t afford the buyout for Brown or the assistants

[@TRMMUSIC]

Great ambassador for the state but he’s in over his head coaching wise. Thought his problem was getting a consistent roster but now he has had it and the team looks worse than last year.

[@wvmilkman3418]

I’ve never been okay with Brown. I was hoping for a good season this year but I knew in the back of my mind Neal Brown would screw us.

[@taylorevans1199]

It was fire neal brown time in year 3.

[@Gr8H8ful8]

Not too many WVU fans are praising Pitt's QB. Most of us know we have a habit of creating stars out of backup QBs. And Dana was not a WV guy

[@socialhax5824]

I would say that Dana was not our guy... for all of the opposite reasons that Neal brown is not our guy... We shouldn't fire him but wait and see how the season turns out... If he wins out then we all will be like wow he had a good year.. But we just need to wait and see. Firing him week 4 won't help anything

[@davidframe1613]

Dana is a different kind of guy what I heard he was a drunk?? I'm not sure if that's true or not but he always seems angry. To me he didn't even like West Virginia where the fan base.

[@talk-is-pitt]

Eli Holstein is better because of his skill set not because y'all made him look good.

[@Gr8H8ful8]

@@talk-is-pitt I do think he's a big, good QB especially for a freshman. I think he'll really be able to show his skills when he transfers to a place that can protect him.

[@talk-is-pitt]

@@Gr8H8ful8 he's not transferring.

[@BrianKessel-hx6vd]

I have tried to support brown with what he had to overcome when he was hired and last year i was like finally because he is a great guy and fits culturally but if it tanks this year he has to go

[@TammyFox-k1j]

Garcia James Miller Eric Thomas Daniel

[@Mark_Cadden]

Win v Penn State was always an absolute kool aid drinking pipe dream. That was never going to happen. WVU is a 4-6 win football team. Bowl game eligible is best case scenario. It’s easy to say with hindsight but the signs were there. Imo they beat Kansas, Baylor and Cincinnati. Thats probably it. Maybe they catch another team lacking

[@daltonz-backup6318]

One day WVU will be Phillip Toll and not Drake Toll

[@mariasaaudley6486]

Miller Scott Garcia William Young Maria

[@equalizer1946]

You west virginia fans can have Dana Holgerson back. Heard he was looking for a job...

[@PaulaSanders-l3l]

Martinez Daniel Anderson Melissa Rodriguez Edward

[@DickeyHorace]

Davis Matthew Allen William Gonzalez Kenneth

[@Denna-d9r]

Thomas Deborah Hall Sandra Rodriguez Richard

[@willr4880]

Wvu gonna have 4 wins all year

[@davidframe1613]

as a mountaineer fan that in four wins may be luck.

[@GaskellBrian-d2s]

Kassandra Brooks

[@michaelpauley125]

Brown Should Be Let Go After The 2024 Season.

[@shirondaanderson1293]

My son was so right!!! People just saying shit!!!

[@ascchris1]

Oh it's time for NB to go. Past time.

[@kayleeblare5644]

Allen Brenda Thompson Sandra Rodriguez Edward

[@arthurwarren8945]

Lopez Mary Lopez Brenda Allen Anthony

[@Pamelia-o3v]

Anderson Linda Brown Susan Hall Ruth

[@TheYates27]

I think that they bought into their own press. I also think Neil’s staff isn’t that great in game.

[@wiphero2755]

Not anymore he just won a game

[@Mike-aka747]

How about Rodriguez back to WVU?

[@shrimp6la]

He's currently 0-3 lol

[@nathanprice2199]

Only if he goes out and kisses the ass of each of the 1.7 million West Virginians.

[@davidframe1613]

How about not? 😁 When did bring an Old Coach back work??

[@davidframe1613]

Yes and he's never done nothing after leaving West Virginia.

[@Mike-aka747]

@@davidframe1613 ok then. You can keep Neal Brown

[@shirleyramacey7152]

Jackson Barbara Brown Helen Lee Maria

[@FosterMarlon-g3v]

Rodriguez Timothy Young Matthew Davis Linda

[@PriestOfOn]

I wanted at least a decent WVU football season during my senior year of undergrad so fucking bad man. Such a sad state of affairs.

[@pitchshot2868]

Hey, WVU is a good place to end your undergrad career no matter what the SPORTS team do. Fun place no matter what! ENJOY your senior year.

[@PriestOfOn]

@@pitchshot2868 thank you :) I was kinda of thinking about it that way actually. Some of my fondest childhood memories are going to games with my dad/mom. I never remembered if we won/loss but being there and all the fun? Hell yes. Cheers to a miracle-salvaged football season and to my best year here!

[@wilhelmbishop4383]

Gonzalez Sandra White Brian Jackson Sandra

[@Jesse-i5p]

Fire Neal Clown

[@LukkesSwaykus]

Harris Sarah Clark Ronald Jones Barbara

[@timothywatts8872]

Jimbo fisher

[@davidframe1613]

I would say there is an 80% chance Jimbo Fisher is the guy he doesn't need the money and he's way overqualified for the job for West Virginia and the rumor is he wants to come home and retire as West Virginia's head coach. Only way I think that doesn't happen is if the guy that hates him the most Nick Saban takes the job instead which I don't think happens. Fisher will probably be the next coach at WVU.

[@NsiejdSnidnfp]

Martinez Betty Johnson Anna Jackson Jason

[@MitchellLengerak-f3y]

Clark Elizabeth Jackson Michelle Rodriguez Timothy

[@DuckDuck-u3e]

Moore Sarah White Brian Miller Nancy

[@karlrado71]

NB was retained merely to have a chance to beat PSU and Pitt this season. He is now useless and expendable.

[@FunkIBM-t8s]

Walker Kenneth Rodriguez Nancy Harris Charles

[@NedCarpenter-d2i]

White Elizabeth Walker Shirley Wilson Michael

[@FelisaSteuber]

Hall Barbara Robinson Kimberly Walker John

[@markdawson124]

You thought WVU would beat Pitt and Penn St? 😄😂🤣 OK Big 12 homer. WVU is not better than Pitt precisely because that is their defense (and their QB doesn't throw very well).

[@davidwilliams4498]

Neal not getting fired this year. Though i bet the AD choked on his drink saturday evening when we saw the pathetic coaching collapse last 4 minutes by 2 coaches who have many minutes of predictable conservative scared coaching when a game is on the line. Yeah im. sure the AD now knows was it right choice to give brown an his coaches a raise an brown sign thru 2027 season. Baker knows he is screwed. He can only hope Brown an Leslie will snsp out of their losing its not working try something else ways.

[@tmurph247]

There was a photo of Baker somewhere after the Pitt game. He looked to be about as far from happy as you can possibly get.

[@BoomGoesTheDynamit]

Big 12 sux … stop hyping these Conf USA and AAC teams up.

[@dutchheadlife3325]

Dana was garbage and now Neal is garbage. We miss Don Nehlen, can we turn back time?

[@si018]

At least Dana had us ranked… and competitive in big games…. We always lost big games but damnit we were in the game at least

[@davidframe1613]

I was never a Dana fan but he did have a ranked pretty much every year besides one. Just could never get over the hump, Brown can't even see the hump. He has to be the worst coach in West Virginia history

[@sbeallvln]

I liked Don Nehlen but do you remember how long it was between bowl game wins? And he also had a big-game collapse against Pitt in ‘89.

[@chesterworrell8758]

I'd love to start a podcast that doesn't focus on the negative, but no one would watch because if you bandwagon fans can't say something negative ,you dont feel empowered. Move to Virginia and root for the Mighty Cavilers. When you insult our coach i take it personal. Learn in Virginia what getting pressure on the quarterback means before you post,we got no pressure on the quarterback.

[@talk-is-pitt]

Wvu is not better than us. Another dumbaas take

[@Greenface34]

Goooooo PiTT

[@fullercarey6392]

Perez Mark Martinez Richard Williams Kevin

[@MaudBoyd-p8y]

Anderson Jessica Rodriguez Linda Hernandez David

[@mariasaaudley6486]

Jones Linda Smith Jason Lewis Ronald

[@AdhiyaMahmud-u2m]

Young James Martin Patricia Moore Helen

[@AubreyLang-q4p]

White Joseph Lee Melissa Clark Christopher