(Photo by WVU Athletics)
Coach Brown,
It seems like yesterday you were being announced as the head coach of my childhood team, the West Virginia Mountaineers. Coming in with so much momentum from Troy, you were undoubtedly the perfect fit in Morgantown.
You said all of the right things, you have represented this great state and university well, and you have set a great example for all of the young men in the Mountain State. You’re a family man, and do everything with grace and class.
I’ve wanted you to succeed from the word go. It didn’t take long for me to start trusting the “climb.” Proving quickly that you care about this program, you have attracted some great talent to West Virginia University. Fans can’t thank you enough for the fantastic foundation you have put in place moving forward.
However, with the conclusion of the 2022 season coming tomorrow, so might your tenure as West Virginia’s head coach. Though things off the field have been great, it hasn’t translated to the gridiron for whatever reason. Should we fall to the Oklahoma State Cowboys, this would put your record at 21-26 at WVU.
While I understand programs aren’t built overnight, many want instant results in today’s College Football. Nobody knows what the future will hold, but I want to thank you for your time with the Old Gold & Blue.
Being a small town kid from West Virginia, I know that my impact on the greater scheme of things won’t be to the magnitude of many. You hold one of the most important jobs in this great Mountain Mama of ours. Many in your position wouldn’t take the time to interact with fans the way you have.
It meant the absolute world to me when you stopped during the Mantrip against LIU to take a picture with me last season. Lord knows the majority of College Football coaches wouldn’t have done the same – and certainly not your predecessor.
It’s a memory that I will be able to take with me for a lifetime.
But the one thing that meant the absolute most to me was your kind words to me when I had a family member pass away in 2020.
Being in the emotional state I was, your “life is about how you respond” video was released on Twitter the same day. It really spoke to me during that dark time, so of course I was going to reach out to you on Twitter to thank you for those words.
I never would have imagined that you would take the time to reach out to me and extend me words of comfort that day.
Sorry to hear. 🙏
— Neal Brown (@NealBrown_WVU) April 4, 2020
This meant so much to my family and I. It may have just been a reply to a tweet, yes, but being a head coach of a major university you certainly have much more important stuff on your plate. It really showed what a great person you are.
No matter what happens in the weeks ahead, the impact you had on me during your time in Morgantown has been abundant. Should you return in 2023, I’ll be right there at Mountaineer Field cheering you and the guys on.
But just know if you are elsewhere, I’ll be cheering you on from afar.
Thank you for everything, Coach Brown.
Thank you for being a Mountaineer.
