MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Former West Virginia head coach Neal Brown may soon get another opportunity to lead his own program. Brown, who is currently serving as an offensive assistant at Texas, is now being tied to two open head coaching jobs, positioning him as one of the more intriguing names on the coaching carousel this offseason.
According to a report from On3, Brown has been in active discussions with Colorado State about becoming the next head coach of the Rams. Meanwhile, Football Scoop reported Thursday evening that Brown is also considered a strong candidate for the North Texas head coaching job, following Eric Morris’s departure to Oklahoma State.
After a turbulent ending to his tenure in Morgantown, Brown appears to be regaining momentum professionally and is now on the radar for multiple Group of Five programs.
Colorado State Showing Serious Interest
Colorado State has been quietly searching for stability and leadership after several up-and-down seasons. Brown brings:
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Head coaching experience in both the Big 12 and Sun Belt
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A proven track record of building competitive programs at Troy
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A reputation for strong player development and disciplined culture
On3’s report indicates that talks between Brown and the Rams have progressed, suggesting Colorado State views him as a legitimate option to reset the direction of the program.
Brown’s style—a balanced, structured approach rooted in situational football—fits the Mountain West profile, and CSU could offer him a chance to restore his résumé without the intense spotlight of a Power Five job.
North Texas Also in the Mix
The plot thickened Thursday evening when Football Scoop revealed that Neal Brown has emerged as a top candidate for the open position at North Texas, where head coach Eric Morris left to take over at Oklahoma State.
The Mean Green’s offensive identity and Texas recruiting base could make this a natural fit for Brown, who already has strong ties to the region thanks to his current role with the Longhorns.
North Texas offers:
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A talent-rich recruiting footprint
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A program with recent success and modern facilities
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A conference (AAC) that values offense-heavy, high-scoring football
Brown’s skill set and experience could mesh well with the Mean Green’s goals, and the program may view him as an ideal blend of experience, stability, and offensive acumen.
A Chance for a Fresh Start
After being dismissed by West Virginia following a 6-year run that never fully met expectations, Brown opted to rebuild his career under Steve Sarkisian at Texas. His time in Austin has allowed him to:
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Work in a high-powered, modern offensive system
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Recruit at an elite level
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Reestablish his connections within the coaching world
Now, with multiple programs expressing interest, Brown may soon have a path back to the head coaching ranks.
Both Colorado State and North Texas offer opportunities where expectations are high but manageable—settings where Brown’s steady coaching philosophy and attention to detail could lead to quick turnarounds.
What’s Next?
With Colorado State already in contact and North Texas reportedly placing Brown near the top of its list, a decision could come soon. It’s also possible other programs may enter the picture as the coaching carousel continues to spin.
What’s clear is that Neal Brown has positioned himself well for a second chance. Whether it’s in Fort Collins or Denton, the former West Virginia coach is once again in demand and appears poised for a return to the sidelines.
Brown told Hoppy Kercheval on MetroNews Sportsline days after his firing that he would like to coach again in 2025. “I want to coach. I think there’s a lot of positives from a personal perspective and professionally and there’s some really good jobs open. There’s jobs that are resourced well in leagues that you can go win, and so my anticipation is that I will, but time will tell.”
Despite Brown’s lack of success at WVU, he is still highly respected in the coaching circles and West Virginia’s director of athletics Wren Baker gave him a rave review for his time in Morgantown: “Coach Brown is a great person, and he has served as a tremendous ambassador for West Virginia University,” Baker said in a statement when the program let Brown go. “He led our storied program with class and integrity and always put in the hard work necessary to allow for success.”
