The Two Hottest Seats in College Football

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- The two head coaches who have the hottest seats in college football are without a doubt Neal Brown and Jimbo Fisher. Fisher, the head coach at Texas A&M, is one of the highest paid coaches in football with some of the best recruits in the country and the A&M fans have massive expectations for their program. However, Fisher led his team to a 5-7 record last season and the Aggies have started 1-1 this season, with a brutal loss last week against Miami. With a top salary, the best facilities and one of the most talented rosters in college football, Fisher has not produced the results that were expected. Despite his incredible previous success - he has a 123-45 record and a national championship at Florida State in 2013 - Fisher is squarely on the hot seat and fans want the school to pay his nearly $77 million buyout to move on from him. In fact, unless Fisher quickly turns things around in College Station, he will almost certainly be fired before the end of the season. If/when that happens, Fisher would instantly be the most sought-after head coach in college football based on his previous accomplishments. If Neal Brown continues to underachieve in Morgantown, it just could be the perfect storm for Fisher to return home to coach the Mountaineers. Remember, last season, Jimbo Fisher said three words that gave long-suffering West Virginia fans real hope: "Home is home." Fisher, 57, is originally from Clarksburg, West Virginia and when asked if he would ever consider returning to coach the Mountaineers later in his career, Fisher said the following: "You don’t ever say never in this business. Home is home. I love West Virginia and it’s very near and dear to my heart. I love them and have always rooted for them my whole life. You never say never in this business where it takes you. I’m happy where I’m at and I love where I’m at, but home is home.".  It would be difficult financially for Texas A&M to fire Fisher; however, the contract is extremely one-sided, allowing Fisher to leave the Aggies for another job under no financial penalty for his future employer should he so choose. In other words, although he would certainly demand a higher salary than Neal Brown, West Virginia would not have to worry about paying Texas A&M anything if Fisher wanted to return home before his contract ends. Neal Brown currently makes approximately $4 million a year and Fisher makes $7.5 million per year. While Fisher would have to take a paycut to coach the Mountaineers, coaching his home team with the possibility of taking them to new heights would almost certainly be very appealing to someone like Jimbo Fisher, who loves the state and has been a fan of the football program his entire life. Right now, Jimbo Fisher returning to West Virginia to coach the Mountaineers is a bit of a dream, but it's a very realistic possibility and is a dream worth dreaming.

Garrett Greene Doesn’t Like Pitt

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Garrett Greene will be the starting quarterback for the West Virginia Mountaineers host the Pitt Panthers in the Backyard Brawl this weekend, and Greene did not mince words and did not hold back on his feelings about Pitt! Following West Virginia's 56-17 blowout win over Duquesne, Greene was asked about playing the Panthers in The Brawl. Greene said the following in response: "I was raised in Tallahassee (Florida), but I like to say I grew up in West Virginia. I became a man here. We don't like them and they don't like us." Greene, a junior, has started at quarterback for the Mountaineers during the first two games this season, passing 26/45 (57.8%) for 402 yards, 4 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1701040754255085979?s=20

Pitt Quarterback Doesn’t Like to Get Boo’ed

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Following Pitt's 27-21 loss at home to Cincinnati last night, the Panthers' starting quarterback, Phil Jurkovec, told reporters that he didn't appreciate fans of the team booing during the game. “I think if you are a grown-ass man booing in that stadium, you got to look at things yourself,” Jurkovec said. “I think that is pathetic. But, you know what, we didn’t play well enough. We are going to play better." Jurkovec, who finished the game 10-32 for 179 yards, continued: "I think I just missed some throws. I have to trust some plays more. Trust they are going to be there. Trust my training and I think I got away from that a little bit with my footwork. Messing up or leaving the pocket too early. Those are things I can correct.” If Jurkovec, a redshirt senior from Pittsburgh, was concerned about the booing in the stands at home, he has no idea what he will be walking into next Saturday when Pitt travels to Morgantown to play the West Virginia Mountaineers at Milan Puskar Stadium. https://twitter.com/937theFan/status/1700705816079180008?s=20

West Virginia Ranked

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- The West Virginia Mountaineers are one of the Bottom 25 teams in college football right now, according to CBS Sports' David Cobb. In Cobb's Bottom 25 Rankings, West Virginia checked in at the 16th worst team in the nation right now. According to Cobb, "The Mountaineers refused to take downfield shots in their 38-15 Week 1 loss at Penn State. If some perimeter playmakers don't emerge for WVU, this team could flirt with Bottom 25 status all year, which is the last thing embattled coach Neal Brown needs." The only teams ranked below West Virginia in Cobb's Bottom 25 were Rice, North Texas, Buffalo, Central Michigan, South Alabama, East Carolina, New Mexico, Ball State, Miami (Ohio), Middle Tennessee, Arkansas State, Boise State, Kent State, Navy and Nevada. That's quite the company for West Virginia, the 15th winningest program in college football history, to be among. The Mountaineers are back in action at home on Saturday, September 9 at 6:00PM against Duquesne.  

Pat McAfee Discusses Bringing Rich Rod Back to West Virginia

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Former West Virginia punter/kicker Pat McAfee now hosts his own talk show and he discussed the Mountaineers' loss at Penn State on today's show. "West Virginia fans are about done with old Neal Brown," McAfee said. "Because he's several years in and it should not be such a miracle to think that we could beat Penn State this far into his tenure. We're in the Big 12. We've got a lot of money. We've got an NIL thing that spends money." McAfee continued: "If they lose to Duquesne next week at home, they should take his visor on the field. Six years in, this is all your people, this is all your culture. We're a Big 12 school and we've had a lot of success against top schools. He's in charge of winning games and like, building and instead it's like a MAC school is going to play against Penn State. That's how people see it and that's not good either." Rich Rodriguez's name came up as a potential replacement for Brown in the future: "Rich Rod is who a lot of people want. Dude, if he were to go back to West Virginia, I know one thing, if James Franklin scores with 6 seconds left, old Rich Rod would be on a beeline headed straight for Franklin with his right hand. He won 49-3 at Jacksonville State this last weekend. I think my big realization is that we should have a real chance of winning that game at Penn State and we didn't." Watch the full clip below: https://twitter.com/voicemorgantown/status/1698815300542603420?s=20

Sunday Editorial: Neal Brown Not Ready for the Bright Lights

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Neal Brown walked into Beaver Stadium last night and knew his team was going to lose. He didn't believe in his team and it showed. There was zero fire, zero passion, zero belief that they were truly going to shock the college football world by beating the #7 team in the nation. This is Neal Brown football. Passionless, dull, underwhelming. Neal Brown is not ready for the bright lights and the pressure that comes with big-time college football. He's far more concerned about "not making mistakes" and "keeping it close" than actually trying to win, and that's been apparent since Day 1 in Morgantown. He's a Sun Belt coach masquerading as a Big 12 head coach and there's a very big difference between the two. Now at 22-26 in his 5th season at West Virginia, Brown can offer little more than trivial hope and promises of getting better. But what has been clear for five seasons is that Neal Brown believes that he's not doing anything wrong. He believes in his heart of hearts that what he did at Troy will eventually be successful at West Virginia if he just keeps doing the same thing over and over and over again. Nothing has changed and nothing has improved in five years and nothing ever will change with Neal Brown as the head coach. His decision to retain his entire coaching staff and the unbelievable choice to take over play-calling shows that he believes that he is simply a victim of circumstance and that he is doing the right things to win big with the Mountaineers. The bottom line, however, is that his coaching staff is one of the worst in Power 5 football, he has been dreadful as a play-caller at West Virginia and there has been zero growth from the football program since he's taken over. Neal Brown wasn't ready for the bright lights at Beaver Stadium last night and unfortunately never will be. Winning big games against top opponents on the road requires something Neal Brown simply doesn't have: guts, passion and a fire to win at all costs.

Pitt Steals West Virginia’s Beer Sales Idea

MORGANTOWN, West Virginia -- Country Roads Trust, West Virginia's Name, Image and Likeness Team, has had an extremely successful partnership with Big Timber Brew by creating Trust Lager, a beer sold in the state that gives 15% of its proceeds to Country Roads Trust.   Trust Lager has been a huge hit in West Virginia with many stores finding it difficult to keep it stocked. With its success will come copycats and imitators. One such copycat is the recently-released "Fake Slide Pilsner", a brew made by Oakland Originals partnered with Southern Tier. "A portion" of the sales of this beer will go to Alliance 412, the Name, Image, Likeness Team for Pitt. Imitation is the most sincere form of flattery and it's clear that Pitt envied West Virginia's success and is attempting to find a way to recreate what Country Roads Trust has already done. Check out "Fake Slide Pilsner" below: https://twitter.com/Alliance_412/status/1696916578640556351?s=20

Big 12 Reportedly Interested in Remaining Pac-12 Schools

The Big 12 is reportedly interested in the four remaining Pac-12 schools.   Irving, TX - While the Big 12 has stated that they are “done” with expansion at this time, this has not stopped speculation as to where the conference could go next. Earlier this evening, Jim Williams, a former television producer from Washington D.C., shared that he has received reports that the Big 12 is now interested in adding the four remaining Pac-12 schools. https://twitter.com/JWMediaDC/status/1695605155398348861?s=20 Stanford and Cal have been vetted by the ACC in recent weeks, but have yet to have an answer. Williams claims that Stanford is asking for an answer from the conference this week. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

3 Schools Reportedly in Talks With ACC

Stanford, California, and SMU are reportedly in talks with the ACC, per ESPN. Greensboro, NC - With conference realignment ramping up around the country, the ACC is looking to expand to avoid falling apart. According to Pete Thamel of ESPN, the conference is looking to expand west with three teams currently being “seriously considered.” https://twitter.com/PeteThamel/status/1694475837037240550?s=20   California, Stanford, and SMU are the schools that are being vetted by a select few ACC presidents this week. A series of meetings are expected to take place to discuss the potential allocation of money, per Thamel. There is no timetable set for a decision. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

Pac-12 Hires Oliver Luck

The Pac-12 has hired Oliver Luck in hopes of saving the conference.   Morgantown, WV - According to David Hookstead of Outkick, the Pac-12 Conference has hired former WVU Quarterback and Athletic Director Oliver Luck in an advisory role as a consultant. This move was made in hopes that he can help save the league following conference realignment. https://twitter.com/Outkick/status/1690357467597688833?s=20 The full extent of his position with the Pac-12 is not yet known, per Hookstead. (Photo by WVU Athletics) 

Arizona State’s Athletic Director Apologizes to Wren Baker and WVU

Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson has apologized for his comments on WVU earlier in the week. Tempe, AZ - Earlier this week, Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson made some comments about Morgantown and WVU that were questionable to say the least. When discussing his university’s move to the Big 12, he listed Morgantown by name and proclaimed that he had no interest in making the trip when WVU and the Sun Devils meet in athletics. “I’m not going to Morgantown.” While many did not appreciate the comment, Anderson made it clear that he meant nothing by it, and that he has also called Wren Baker to apologize. In an interview on the Bickley & Marotta podcast through Arizona Sports, Anderson spoke about the comments and his apology to Baker and the Mountaineers. https://twitter.com/azsports/status/1689302303197855744?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw   “Although those comments were said in jest and taken out of context, they were clumsy comments from me that I sincerely regret…” ”So I called Wren on Monday and we had a chance to talk and I explained the context. He graciously accepted my apology and certainly said he’d pass it on to their President Gordon Gee…” Arizona Sports has a full report on this situation on their website. https://twitter.com/azsports/status/1689310664547086336?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw (Photo by WVU Athletics)

Gordon Gee to Step Down in 2025

WVU President Gordon Gee will step down as university president in 2025, per reports. Morgantown, WV - According to Brian Powell on Twitter, WVU President E. Gordon Gee will step down as university president in 2025. He will take up a role in WVU’s law school as a faculty member. https://twitter.com/bitmapped/status/1688642843022090240?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw Gee recently extended his prior contract which was set to expire in 2024. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by West Virginia University) 

Big 12 On Expansion: “We’re Done”

The Big 12 is finished with expansion, per report. Morgantown, WV - Following the additions of Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah, many were questioning if the Big 12 would continue to pursue expansion candidates. Today, the conference finally broke silence on their future plans, and it appears that no more schools will be added in the near future. According to Brett McMurphy of Stadium, the Big 12 has “no appetite” to add any of the remaining Pac-12 members or San Diego State. The league’s answer is said to be short and sweet. “We have no interest in doing anything. We’re done.” https://twitter.com/brett_mcmurphy/status/1688657142486646784?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw The Big 12 is currently slated to compete with 16 teams in 2024. Stay tuned to The Voice of Motown for updates. (Photo by WVU Athletics)

Wren Baker Responds to Arizona State AD

WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker responds to Arizona State’s Ray Anderson on Twitter. Morgantown, WV - In case you haven’t heard, Arizona State Athletic Director Ray Anderson claimed that he will not make any trips to Morgantown for Big 12 play. He made it clear that he favors regional opponents, and West Virginia just does not fit that description. Earlier today, WVU Athletic Director Wren Baker sent out a tweet that was clearly a response to Anderson. Baker was short and sweet in his message. “There are two kinds of people in the world. People who love West Virginia and people who haven’t been here.” https://twitter.com/wrenbaker/status/1688202025333293056?s=20   Arizona State is set to join the Big 12 in 2024. If the Sun Devils are slated to travel to Morgantown in their inaugural season, one could certainly bet that Mountaineer Nation will be ready for them. (Photo by WVU Athletics)

REPORT: Big 12 to Add 17th and 18th Member By End of 2023

The Big 12 will continue to look for expansion possibilities through the end of 2023, per reports. Morgantown, WV - Earlier this evening, the Big 12 voted to add Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah to the league in 2024. This will bring the total number of conference members to 16 next year. While many think the expansion will stop there, that will not be the case. According to Jamie Plunkett of Horned Frog Blitz (247Sports), the Big 12 will look to add a 17th and 18th conference member by the end of 2023. Two teams that Plunkett mentioned as possible extension candidates were UConn (Independent) and Oregon State (Pac-12). https://twitter.com/frogpreacher/status/1687631934111752192?s=46&t=cXIQ4JQG-pp-P6qrRwLwjw Florida State was also mentioned as a potential candidate, but only if nothing comes of a move to either the Big Ten or SEC. Oregon State, who is one of the four remaining teams in the Pac-12, has formally made their pitch to the Big 12 in hopes of an invitation, per Plunkett. Things are about to get wild in collegiate athletics. The Voice of Motown will bring you updates as they become available. (Photo by WVU Athletics)