Morgantown, West Virginia – Neal Brown and former Texas Tech head coach Matt Wells were hired at virtually the same time three years ago. Brown was a young, upstart head coach who had experienced success at Sun Belt Conference team Troy. Wells was a two-time Mountain West Conference coach of the year at Utah State.
Both Neal Brown and Matt Wells had big expectations at their new schools, West Virginia and Texas Tech.
Neither have lived up to the hype or expectations.
Wells went 13-17 overall and 7-16 in the Big 12 Conference. Brown is currently 14-15 overall and 8-13 in the Big 12.
This season, Texas Tech is 5-3, coming off a a close 25-24 loss against Kansas State. West Virginia is 3-4 and lost to Texas Tech 23-20 at home on October 2nd.
While mediocrity was unacceptable at Texas Tech, West Virginia is apparently just fine with it. In fact, Neal Brown’s below average performance was actually rewarded with a raise and a two-year extension.
Matt Wells is now left without a job and somehow, some way Neal Brown is not only on the hot seat, his seat isn’t even warm!
West Virginia’s expectations for their coaches are obviously far less ambitious than that of the great football program at Texas Tech University. Although Texas Tech has had some success, West Virginia should certainly have similar or greater expectations.
The fact that Wells was fired today while Neal Brown comfortably remains the head coach of the Mountaineers is a prime example of the lowered expectations at West Virginia. West Virginia University should not only expect winning seasons every year, they should demand it.
In their 3rd seasons with their respective teams:
Matt Wells: 5-3 this season and 13-17 overall. FIRED.
Neal Brown: 3-4 this season and 14-15 overall. SEAT NOT EVEN WARM.
How is it that Texas Tech expects more from their head coach than #WVU?
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) October 25, 2021
