Tag: Neal Brown

North Texas taps Neal Brown as new head coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

North Texas hired veteran offensive mind Neal Brown to replace the departing Eric Morris as head coach, the school announced Tuesday.

Brown landed a five-year contract with the Mean Green, according to ESPN.

The 45-year-old from Kentucky amassed a decade of major head coaching experience at West Virginia (2019-24) and Troy (2015-18), where he compiled an overall record of 72-51 and went 5-1 in bowl games.

Brown previously was the offensive coordinator for high-flying Kentucky, Texas Tech and Troy squads. He joined Steve Sarkisian’s Texas staff in 2025 as a special assistant.

“Neal is a proven leader who builds programs with integrity, vision and an unwavering commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the field,” North Texas athletics director Jared Mosley said in a statement.

“His history of elevating rosters, developing talent and producing results in highly competitive leagues makes him an ideal fit for North Texas. We are confident that his leadership will position the Mean Green for sustained success, and we look forward to the impact he and his family will have on our program and our community for years to come.”

Morris, who has been at North Texas since 2023, will see through the ongoing season and coach the Mean Green (11-1) in Friday night’s American Conference championship game at Tulane.

Morris is bound for Oklahoma State, which plans to introduce him as head coach on Monday.

Brown will attempt to build on a record campaign for the Mean Green, who won more than 10 games for the first time in program history and rose to No. 20 in this week’s AP Top 25 poll.

Beating No. 21 Tulane on Friday would extend the Mean Green’s winning streak to seven games and potentially send the Denton, Texas, program to its first College Football Playoff.

“Several key criteria drove my analysis of opportunities this cycle — alignment, relationships, resources, opportunity and community. Jared and his team presented a clear vision of why North Texas and Denton check all those boxes and then some,” Brown said.

“Football in Texas is special and my family and I can’t wait to pour everything we have into the North Texas campus and Denton. Most importantly, our program will always be a player-driven program, and I look forward to getting to know this team and building our roster for the future.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 12, 2022; Morgantown, West Virginia, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers assistant coach Chad Scott during the second quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-Imagn Images

Reports: OC Chad Scott to coach WVU bowl game

Posted on | by Field Level Media

West Virginia offensive coordinator Chad Scott will be the interim coach for the Mountaineers’ bowl game, multiple outlets reported Monday.

The school parted ways with head coach Neal Brown on Sunday, one day after a lopsided 52-15 loss to Texas Tech.

West Virginia finished the regular season with a 6-6 record, including a 5-4 mark in Big 12 play.

Earlier this month, Scott was nominated for the Broyles Award that recognizes the top assistant coach in the nation.

Scott joined Brown’s staff in 2019 as a running backs coach and co-offensive coordinator. He previously worked as an assistant coach at Louisville (2019), North Carolina (2016-18), Kentucky (2013-15), Texas Tech (2010-12) and Troy (2007-09).

–Field Level Media

Dec 27, 2023; Charlotte, NC, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown holds up the championship trophy after the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia coach Neal Brown gets 1-year contract extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

West Virginia head coach Neal Brown agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension on Tuesday that keeps him in Morgantown through the 2027 season.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed by the university for Brown, who capped a nine-win season with a 30-10 victory over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. That’s quite the season given that the Mountaineers were picked to finish last in the Big 12 preseason media poll.

“My first priority was retaining and rewarding our assistant coaches and support staff who have played such a critical role in our success,” Brown said. “I appreciate (West Virginia vice president and director of athletics Wren Baker’s) support on that front as well as his continued commitment to me and what we are building. We share a common vision for this program and that alignment is critical to our continued success. There are great things ahead.”

Brown, 43, has guided West Virginia to bowl appearances in three of the past four years. He has posted a 31-29 record during his five seasons with the Mountaineers after going 35-16 in four campaigns with Troy (2015-18).

“I am pleased with the progress I’ve seen in our football program since arriving last year,” Baker said. “I believe this contract amendment allows us to continue to build on our momentum as we begin our first year in the new and expanded Big 12 Conference. I’m appreciative of the effort Coach Brown and his staff put into developing the young people in our program both on and off the field.”

–Field Level Media

(File photo) Coach Neal Brown speaks in the post-game press conference after a loss to Texas Tech. WVU currently sits at 2-4, just in time for their bye week. Wvu Coach Neal Brown Press Conference

Report: WVU finalizing deal with new AD, plans to keep coach

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Neal Brown was informed he will be retained as head football coach at West Virginia by new athletic director Wren Baker, according to multiple reports.

A formal announcement from the school was expected later Wednesday as part of the university’s confirmation of Baker’s hiring.

Baker, who spent six years as athletic director at North Texas, was hired to replace Shane Lyons.

Brown, 22-25 at West Virginia, has a $16 million buyout as part of a contract extension that runs through 2026.

West Virginia finished 5-7 this season but November wins over Oklahoma State and Oklahoma might have helped him earn another year in Morgantown.

Lyons, who was hired in 2015 to replace Oliver Luck, recently joined the Alabama athletic department.

–Field Level Media

Dec 31, 2020; Memphis, TN, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown during the first half against the Army Black Knights at Liberty Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

West Virginia gives coach Neal Brown 2-year extension

Posted on | by Field Level Media

West Virginia and Neal Brown have agreed on a contract extension that will keep the head coach in Morgantown through the 2026 season, the school announced Thursday.

Brown, 41, had four years remaining on his original deal. In total, the six-year contract is worth $23.85 million with an average yearly salary of $3.975 million.

“Coach Brown and I are committed to the future success of our football program,” West Virginia athletic director Shane Lyons said in a statement. “I am pleased with the upward trajectory of the program and its culture. Our student-athletes have excelled on the field and in the classroom, and the overall leadership of Mountaineer football is strong.”

The salary commitment to Brown’s coaching staff also was increased.

Brown has led the Mountaineers to an 11-11 record in his first two seasons and a Liberty Bowl win after the 2020 season. Brown replaced Dana Holgorsen in 2019 after compiling a 35-16 record in four years at Troy.

–Field Level Media