The WVU Football team were seemingly written off before the 2023 season even kicked off. The pre-season Big 12 Football polls had them pegged to finish dead last in the conference, a daunting prospect for any team. Yet, Head Coach Neal Brown, no stranger to the hot seat, had a different vision in mind. During media day, he faced questions about the dire projection with unwavering determination.
Neal Brown WVU Football Coach Proving Doubters Wrong
“Looking forward to proving everybody wrong on that front. We won’t finish there.”
Brown’s words were more than just rhetoric; they were a rallying cry for his young squad. The prediction of a lackluster season became the fuel that ignited a fire within the Mountaineers, propelling them to defy the odds and exceed expectations.
Heartland College Sports, after evaluating Brown’s performance, awarded him a commendable grade of A-. The reason behind this high rating was clear—despite the initial grim outlook, Brown led WVU to an impressive 8-4 record and secured a spot in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, where they would face off against the North Carolina Tarheels.
“I went back and forth between grades, but I ultimately ended up giving Neal Brown an A-. His team was picked to finish dead last in the Big 12 at Media Days in July and ended up winning eight games in 2023. Actually, if not for a Hail Mary loss to Houston, they’d have finished 9-3 with a chance to win their tenth game during bowl season. Still, this was an outstanding job by Brown, who has certainly earned another year in Morgantown,” remarked the Heartland College Sports evaluation.
WVU Football Moment To Forget
While the majority of the season was filled with highlights and moments of triumph, there was one blemish on the Mountaineers’ record—a painful loss to the Houston Cougars, led by their ex-head coach Dana Holgersen. The game was marred by sloppy play on the part of the Mountaineers, but a late-game rally led by quarterback Garrett Greene seemed poised to secure victory. Unfortunately, it was not to be, as the Cougars executed a jaw-dropping 49-yard touchdown pass in the final moments, securing a thrilling 41-39 win over West Virginia. It was a gut-wrenching defeat for WVU football fans, but it showcased Brown’s ability to motivate his team even in the face of adversity.
What made Brown’s achievements all the more remarkable was the fact that he was coaching a very young and relatively inexperienced team. As the season progressed, it became evident that the Mountaineers were evolving and growing under his guidance. The promise of the future began to shine through the darkness that had previously shrouded the program. Brown’s ability to develop and nurture young talents within his system became a beacon of hope for WVU football and Mountaineer fans.
One of the most significant turnarounds in the team came from quarterback Garrett Greene. At the start of the season, Greene was labeled as the worst quarterback in all of Power Five football. However, under Brown’s tutelage, Greene transformed, putting forth a solid performance both in passing and rushing the ball. This remarkable development served as a testament to Brown’s coaching prowess.
WVU Football Future Looking Bright
With a bright and promising outlook for the next season, the sun has started to shine on West Virginia once more. Young talents are flourishing, and Neal Brown remains at the helm, a source of inspiration and motivation. The climb to success continues, and despite the preseason doubts, the WVU football team has already made a bold statement. The decision to retain Brown as the head coach for another year speaks volumes about the faith in his ability to lead the Mountaineers to even greater heights in the seasons to come.
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