Neal Brown, who won 31 games in his final three seasons at Group of Five program Troy but just 37 total in six years atop the West Virginia program, is in deep discussions with West Virginia's athletics leadership regarding his future at the school.
After a nine-win 2023 season helped Brown earn an extension in Morgantown, W. Va., the Mountaineers regressed to an 6-6 2024 campaign -- who saw their regular season end Saturday in an 52-15 defeat at Big 12 foe Texas Tech.
West Virginia trailed that game 35-6 at halftime, and that listless effort further amplified questions about Brown's uncertain future atop the program.
In recent weeks, multiple sources told FootballScoop that Neal Brown is high on the wishlist of his alma mater, UMass, after the Minutemen fired Don Brown.
Sources told FootballScoop President Scott Roussel that other athletic directors have made calls to do background work on Brown as well should he hit the market.
Neal Brown was extended a year, into 2027, after the 2023 season, but the school would be obligated to pay 75% of the buyout -- or approximately $6.5 million -- it if terminated Brown at this point.
The two sides also could agree to negotiate terms of the buyout.
Sources tell FootballScoop a decision is expected within the next 36 hours.
Neal Brown rose through the coaching ranks as an offensive coordinator at Troy, Texas Tech and Kentucky before he garnered his first head coaching job at Troy before the 2015 season.
Much of West Virginia's 2025 football conference slate has not yet been announced, but the Mountaineers have a game against nearby FCS program Robert Morris, as well as Group of Five program Ohio, for their first two scheduled games next season; they also face 'Backyard Brawl' rival Pittsburgh at home Sept. 13, 2025.
The December early signing period, critical in the high school portion of an Football Bowls Subdivision program's future roster, opens Wednesday and runs through Friday; the next NCAA Transfer Portal window runs Dec. 9-28.
Per 247Sports, West Virginia has 22 commitments in its 2025 high school recruiting class, a group headlined by four-star defensive line pledge Taylor Brown out of Maryland.