Legendary UCLA men’s basketball coach John Wooden once said, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.â€
Now-former WVU football coach Neal Brown will be remembered for many different reasons among the Mountaineer fan base — more negative, at least initially, than positive.
Brown was fired on Sunday after a 37-35 record in his six years in Morgantown.
“It has been a great honor to serve as West Virginia’s head football coach,†Brown said in a statement posted on X on Tuesday. “I am extremely proud to be associated with all the incredible young men who were part of our program over the past six years. This team, like those before them, showed up every day, resilient, united and determined. I love this group and know they will navigate this transition with class and integrity.
“Our family was proud to call West Virginia home.â€
Critics are quick to point out that Brown’s Mountaineers won just three games against AP top-25 teams and never cracked that poll.
Some of these same individuals will point out his 25-28 record in Big 12 Conference play.
Yes, it’s quite apparent that he needed to win more key games to secure his job.
Fans were also jubilant when WVU finished 9-4 in 2023 and won the Duke’s Mayo Bowl against North Carolina.
The only Big 12 team that season that WVU beat which finished with a winning record was Texas Tech at 7-6.
Yet, that shouldn’t steer away from the fact of what Brown did off the field.
Brown ran as clean a Power Four program that could’ve existed.
The majority of his players were out in the community serving, especially at the WVU Children’s Hospital.
I read a Facebook post by Cindy Colasante, who lives and works in Morgantown.
Colasante is the co-owner of the popular Colasante’s Ristorante.
She made a Facebook post earlier this week detailing the impact Brown had on the local community.
Colasante noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic Brown and his family “purchased gift cards to several local restaurants for the football staff that holiday season, in large quantities.
“They were new to our area and immediately recognized that taking care and being involved in the community was valuable,†Colasante continued. “They embraced Morgantown and West Virginia. They saw the importance of our community.â€
Brown and his staff understood the impact the Mountaineers’ exploits have on a good majority of the state.
WVU even honored the coal-mining industry in West Virginia by wearing commemorative jerseys honoring those that work or have worked in the coal mines.
It was even cooler seeing some coal miners do the Mountaineer Mantrip with the team before WVU’s game against Iowa State.
On a professional level, Brown’s availability was meaningful.
My main focus is high school athletics. However, when I wanted to do an interview with Brown before the 2024 season, we chatted on the phone for 15 or 20 minutes while he was busy at Big 12 Media Day in Las Vegas.
It’s the little things that I value, and that’s one of them.
Again, yes, Brown should’ve won more, especially against Pitt (1-2). As a WVU alumnus and fan, man, I hate those damn Panthers.
However, people should remember what he did off the field and the men he shaped while donning the old gold and blue.
