WVU to Hire Troy's Neal Brown

[Omega]

A solid but not a home run hire of a young gun. A good fit for the offensive minded Big 12.

Per WV MetroNews:

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia has reached an agreement to make Troy’s Neal Brown its new football coach, and athletics director Shane Lyons was working Friday to finalize contract details.

The school has informed Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell of its decision. Fickell and Brown interviewed for the vacancy this week, as did current West Virginia defensive coordinator Tony Gibson.

University sources said Brown’s hiring wasn’t yet official Friday, but Lyons was excited to land one of the top coaches at the Group of Five level.

He replaces Dana Holgorsen, whose eight-year tenure ended Wednesday when he left for Houston.

Brown’s recent 31-8 three-year stretch made him a candidate for recent vacancies at Louisville and Kansas State. His 2017 team won at LSU and his 2016 squad battled to a 30-24 loss at Clemson.

On route to this year’s 10-3 mark, Troy won at Nebraska and ultimately beat Buffalo 42-30 in the Dollar General Bowl.

An “Air Raid” disciple who played receiver for Hal Mumme at Kentucky, the 38-year-old Brown has been an offensive coordinator at Texas Tech and Kentucky. He continued calling plays in his head coaching role at Troy.

Brown’s overall record with the Trojans was 35-16, including 23-9 in the Sun Belt Conference.

Intent on hiring someone with head-coaching experience, West Virginia’s second-tier list of candidates included Mike Norvell of Memphis, Seth Littrell of North Texas and Toledo’s Jason Candle. But Lyons and university President Gordon Gee never had to move beyond there top two choices, Brown and Fickell.

http://wvmetronews.com/2019/01/04/west- ... eal-brown/

[farmer]

Do not really know much about him. So depends on the staff he brings in to help.

[Mister Bee]

Not surprising, I figured he was their #1 candidate with Fickell being second.

Next season will be a rebuilding year regardless of who the coach is.

Holgorson wanted another contract extension after he was given one after the 2016 season and it was good through 2021. With this year's team being, in his own words, "...my best team at WVU..." and underperforming, it was no wonder AD Lyons wasn't giving him another extension. He should do well at Houston since it will be a rather large step down from the Big 12 to the AAC.

Welcome coach Brown and....LETS GOOOO MOUNTAINEERS!!!

[Raiderball]

Brown appears to have similar offensive philosophy as Dana which should fit with returning players. Watching and waiting to see his new staff hires.