MORGANTOWN, West Virginia — Although Neal Brown is still, somehow, the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, rumors of another school potentially being interested in him continue. Last week, it was reported by New England newspaper the Daily Hampshire Gazette that West Virginia head coach Neal Brown was a “top choice” at UMASS to become their next head football coach after firing Don Brown.
The article said the following about Neal Brown potentially returning to his alma mater: “Another top choice is Neal Brown, the current head coach at West Virginia – where he has gone 36-34 and won two bowl games since taking over in 2019. Brown played wide receiver at UMass in the early 2000s before joining the Minutemen staff as the tight ends coach. UMass Chancellor Javier Reyes crossed paths and was very involved with Neal Brown at West Virginia, and the Paul Gorham Auditorium inside of the Martin Jacobson Football Performance Center was donated by Neal Brown and his wife Brooke.¨
Neal Brown played wide receiver for UMASS from 2001-2002 and graduated from the UMASS in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in business management and in 2005 with a master’s degree in business administration. Despite being currently employed, it appears that UMASS will at the very least reach out and express interest.
Then, Chris Vannini of The Athletic formed a list of potential head coaches who could end up at UMASS and Brown once again appeared on the list. “West Virginia head coach Neal Brown wouldn’t leave Morgantown for UMASS, but if the Mountaineers make a change and Brown becomes available, maybe this could be a fit. Brown played at UMASS for two years and spent a year on staff. He went 35-16 as Troy’s head coach, and he’s 36-34 at West Virginia right now.”
Today, Football Scoop, a popular website that is described as “the premier source for coaching job information since 1999″, posted a very interested tidbit earlier today. At UMASS, Neal Brown has been a popular name and there’s interest from the school, several sources told Football Scoop,” the website read. “Brown is a former UMASS player currently serving atop the West Virginia program, which is 6-5 and probably needs a win at Texas Tech this week to dampen the disgruntlement.”
Neal Brown “a popular name and there’s been interest from UMASS”, per Football Scoop. Interesting! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/v6Z1xUoBoK
— The Voice of Morgantown (@voicemorgantown) November 26, 2024
Everything we’ve heard over the last couple of days points towards Neal Brown being fired soon after the Texas Tech game, particularly if the Mountaineers lose, and he will almost certainly be on the search for a new job soon thereafter. Although UMASS does not have a great football program, it is his alma mater and would give him an opportunity to rebuild his career at a low-stress position. If/when Brown is fired at West Virginia, look for UMASS to swoop in to offer him the chance to return to his alma mater as the head coach of the Minutemen.
