Neal Brown: 'We Just Never Got Over the Hump' at WVU

Neal Brown, formerly the head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, is now heading to North Texas. Brown recently shared his perspective on his West Virginia tenure, characterizing it not as a failure, but as a period where the team was 'okay' and 'never got over the hump.' He acknowledged that his teams achieved a .500 or better record in three of his six seasons, including a 9-4 record and a bowl win in 2023.

Brown also discussed the challenges of balancing his role as a head coach with being a father. He explained that early in his West Virginia tenure, he treated the job like his previous one at Troy, being overly involved. However, he realized the increased responsibility at WVU and the evolving needs of his children required a different approach. His year with the Texas Longhorns provided a period to develop a new mindset.

Looking ahead to his role with the North Texas Mean Green, Brown expressed readiness for a fresh start with a new perspective. He aims to see things through his players' and assistants' eyes, a shift he feels may not have occurred sufficiently at the end of his West Virginia tenure. Brown has already recruited former Mountaineers, like Jason Cross Jr. and Jaheim White, to join him in Denton, signaling his commitment to building a successful program.