The air in Lubbock was cold, but the seat under Neal Brown was scorching. By the time the clock hit zero on that 52-15 thumping by Texas Tech in late 2024, everyone in the stadium knew. You could see it on the faces of the traveling Mountaineer fans—the ones who hadn’t already headed for the exits. The era of "Trust the Climb" had officially plateaued.
On December 1, 2024, West Virginia University Athletic Director Wren Baker made it official. He fired Neal Brown.
It wasn’t just about one bad Saturday in Texas, though. It was the weight of six years of "almost." Fans were tired of hearing about how close the program was to turning the corner while watching the defense give up 40+ points to anyone with a decent quarterback. Honestly, the 6-6 finish in 2024 was the final straw. It was the fifth time in six years that Brown failed to win more than six games in the regular season. For a program that prides itself on being a dark horse in the Big 12, "average" just wasn't going to cut it anymore.
Why the WVU Football Coach Fired Decision Had to Happen
The numbers are pretty brutal when you lay them out. Brown finished his tenure at 37-35. In the Big 12, he was 25-28. Basically, if you flipped a coin, you had a better chance of winning than the Mountaineers did under Neal.
The defense was the real anchor. Before Brown himself was let go, he tried to save the ship by firing defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley in October 2024. It didn't work. The secondary was essentially a sieve, ranking near the bottom of the FBS in yards allowed and opponent passer rating. You can't win in the modern Big 12 if you can't stop a simple slant route.
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The Financial Fallout
Firing a coach isn't cheap. WVU had to swallow a pill worth roughly $9.5 million to $10 million—75% of his remaining contract. People were worried about the money, but the empty seats at Milan Puskar Stadium were starting to cost more than the buyout.
Wren Baker knew he needed a spark. He didn't just need a coach; he needed a resurrection.
The Return of Rich Rodriguez
If you lived through the mid-2000s in West Virginia, you know the name Rich Rodriguez. He was the architect of the spread-option glory days. Then, he became the most hated man in the state when he bolted for Michigan.
Time heals all wounds, or maybe winning does.
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In a move that shocked the college football world in December 2024, WVU brought Rich Rod back. It was a "prodigal son" moment that nobody saw coming five years ago. He arrived with a mission to bring back that "hard-edge" style that had gone missing under Brown.
The transition hasn't been quiet. Rodriguez immediately started shaking things up:
- Massive Roster Turnover: We’re talking about 75 new players for the 2026 season between the portal and high school recruits.
- Staff Overhaul: He brought in Zac Alley from Oklahoma/Jacksonville State to run a defense that actually tries to force turnovers.
- Old School Faces: He even brought back veteran offensive line coach Rick Trickett in late 2025 to fix the trenches.
What Happened to Neal Brown?
You might think getting fired from a Power 4 job is the end of the road. It wasn't. After a brief stint as a "Special Assistant" at Texas under Steve Sarkisian, Neal Brown landed on his feet.
In December 2025, he was hired as the head coach at North Texas.
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He’s already raiding his old WVU staff, bringing guys like Jevaughn Codlin and Tyler Allen down to Denton. Honestly, it’s probably a better fit for him. The pressure in Morgantown is a different animal. It’s a state where the Mountaineers are the only show in town. If you don't win there, you don't just lose games—you lose the whole community.
The Verdict on the Move
Looking back from 2026, the decision to move on from Brown was the right call. The program was stagnant.
Rodriguez has brought a buzz back to the tailgates, even if his "pulling weeds" coaching style is a bit intense for some of the players who jumped into the transfer portal. The identity of West Virginia football is being rebuilt from the ground up.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Watch the Trench Play: Keep an eye on Rick Trickett’s impact on the offensive line. Success in the Rodriguez system lives and dies with the zone-read blocks.
- Monitor the Portal: With 75 new faces, chemistry is the biggest hurdle for the 2026 season. Don't expect a 12-0 start; look for growth in the middle of the schedule.
- Track the Defense: Zac Alley’s "multiple" defensive looks are the polar opposite of the Lesley era. Watch for more aggressive blitz packages and disguised coverages.
The era of mediocrity is over. Whether the "New Rich Rod" era leads back to a BCS-level ceiling remains to be seen, but at least the Mountaineers are a tough out again.