(Photo by WVU Athletics)
Neal Brown is on the hot seat right now, there’s no doubt about it. The former Troy head coach has accumulated a 19-21 record through his first nearly three and a half seasons in Morgantown – that’s not going to get it done for the Mountaineer faithful.
Sitting at 2-3 and 0-2 in Big 12 play, Brown and company have a “Climb” ahead of them. Should this thing continue to come off the wheels, Brown will likely be unemployed come season’s end. However, there is a possibility that Brown can turn this thing around and save his job in Morgantown.
How is that you ask? It’s simple – win.
The argument can be made that WVU could easily lose the rest of the games on their schedule. Though there is the counter argument that they can also win all of them.
Nobody in the Big 12 is indestructible this season. West Virginia is vulnerable, yes, but even the likes of Oklahoma and Baylor are. With four of the remaining seven games being in Morgantown this season, 2022 can be salvaged for the Mountaineers.
The key game that many are circling for West Virginia is the November 12th matchup against Oklahoma. The Sooners just got trounced by Texas, 49-0, and appear to be falling apart before our eyes. The Mountaineers have yet to beat Oklahoma since joining the Big 12, and 2022 could very well be their best opportunity to notch that win.
Should WVU miss a bowl game but beat the Sooners, I think Brown can retain his job. Lose that one and miss a bowl, then I don’t see him remaining in his current role.
Things aren’t all doom and gloom in Morgantown. The season is far from over, and honestly, so could too be Neal Brown’s tenure. Don’t write Brown and the Mountaineers off just yet. There’s nothing more vicious than a West Virginian with their back against the wall. The Old Gold & Blue will prove that!
Ride or die, we CLIMB!
Can Neal Brown save his job at this point? If so, how?
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) October 8, 2022
