Neal Brown MUST Hire a Real Offensive Coordinator NOW

Morgantown, West Virginia – The West Virginia football program has all of the pieces in place to be a successful for many, many years ahead – a capable head coach, fantastic assistants, as well as improved facilities and recruiting.

But the Mountaineers simply have not gotten it done on the field under Neal Brown, particularly on the offensive side of the ball.  The results the team has produced with Neal Brown and co-offensive coordinator Gerard Parker calling plays are unacceptable.  

West Virginia is the second worst offensive team since the start of last season, only better than the Kansas Jayhawks.  In the last two seasons, the Mountaineers have only averaged 22.54 points per game, have had only two 30+ point games and they have zero 40+ point games against FBS schools.

Again, only the dreadful Kansas Jayhawks have been worse.

One issue that is glaringly obvious is the lack of a real offensive coordinator with actual experience at the position.  While Head Coach Neal Brown has plenty of experience as an offensive coordinator, his duties as the leader of the program are far-reaching, and he should not have to focus his energy and time on calling offensive plays.  And again, he has not produced results on the field as the play-caller.

Neal Brown’s offense is not only too often stagnant and predictable, it lacks identity.

Who are the Mountaineers on offense?  Are they a run team, or a passing team, or both?  How exactly would you describe West Virginia’s offense under Neal Brown?  During his time as the Offensive Coordinator at Texas Tech and Kentucky, Brown ran what he termed the “NASCAR SPREAD”, which focused on high octane production and speed. 

Since arriving in Morgantown, Brown has been very, very conservative offensively, particularly on key third down plays.  His questionable play calls have been responsible for missing out on so many opportunities.

An experienced, accomplished offensive coordinator would do wonders for the Mountaineers.  Virtually every football program in the country has an offensive coordinator that calls plays and does not rely on its head coach for a reason…it’s what works best!  

The West Virginia football program is very close but lacks a few pieces towards long-term success, and the first piece that needs filled is a real offensive coordinator to lead the Mountaineers’ offense.  The Head Coach has so many other responsibilities to handle and calling plays should not be one of them.

It’s time to swallow your pride, Coach Brown, and hire an offensive coordinator.  Nick Saban has one.  Dabo Swinney has one.  Every big-time, successful coach in college football has an offensive coordinator and so should you.