The West Virginia Mountaineers will look for a new head coach after firing sixth-year coach Neal Brown following a disappointing 2024 regular season. West Virginia was blown out by Texas Tech in its finale, falling to 6-6 this season and 37-35 during Brown’s tenure in Morgantown. The Mountaineers won at least three Big 12 games and reached a bowl game in four of Brown’s final five seasons, but only finished with more than six wins once during that stretch. They join Texas Tech and Rutgers as the only Power Four teams to not crack the AP Top 25 at any point since 2019.
Brown tried to turn the program around when he fired defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley eight games into the campaign, but the defense allowed 36.5 points per game in the four games after he was let go. This is the first time West Virginia has fired a coach since Bill Stewart in 2010, so who will be the school’s 36th head football coach? If you love the Mountaineers, or just want to know who will call the shots for West Virginia football in the future, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at EerSports, the 247Sports affiliate that covers West Virginia.
The EerSports insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development surrounding Neal’s departure and the future of the West Virginia football program, including insights from Chris Anderson and Mike Casazza, who have deep-rooted ties inside and around the West Virginia community. Get all the inside scoop on the football program, plus VIP intel on WVU football, basketball, recruiting and more. Plus get access to the Country Roads Confidential premium message board where you can connect with other West Virginia fans and insiders.
And right now, EerSports is offering 75% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at EerSports already has a list out of several potential candidates and there are some surprising names on the list. Head to EerSports now to see them all.
Top West Virginia football coach candidates
One name the staff has identified as a potential target is Jacksonville State head coach Rich Rodriguez. The West Virginia native has deep ties to both the state and the school, as he spent his playing career as a defensive back for the Mountaineers. He returned to Morgantown as the head coach from 2001-07, leading the program to back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in school history before leaving to take the Michigan job.
Rodriguez has helped Jacksonville State make a smooth transition from the FCS to FBS level, rattling off nine wins last season before leading the Gamecocks to a Conference USA title game appearance this year. The Mountaineers rank near the top of college football in both rushing offense and scoring offense, so he would provide a much needed spark for West Virginia’s offense. His ties to the community and proven winning ability make Rodriguez a name to watch in the West Virginia coaching search. See more candidates at EerSports.
How to get insider WVU coaching staff search updates
The rest of the list includes a former NFL head coach along with multiple shocking names who have won big in college football. You can only see who they are at EerSports.
Who are the top candidates in the West Virginia football coaching search, and which shocking names could be in the mix? Go to EerSports to see their West Virginia coaching hot board and more, all from a team of West Virginia insiders, and find out.
And reminder, EerSports is offering 75% off an annual VIP membership as a coaching search special, so subscribe now before it’s too late.
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