Neal Brown, a former West Virginia coach, is being considered by Texas for a football staff position.

Neal Brown, a Former West Virginia Coach, is Being Considered by Texas for a Football Staff Position: What It Means for the Longhorns

The Texas Longhorns football program is no stranger to high expectations. After years of underachievement following their last national championship in 2005, the Longhorns have been in search of a return to greatness. With head coach Steve Sarkisian at the helm, Texas has shown signs of improvement, and the future is promising. However, as with any program striving for excellence, there is always room for further growth and refinement. One of the key ways Texas can continue to progress is through strategic moves within the coaching staff.

In this regard, the recent news that Neal Brown, former head coach of the West Virginia Mountaineers, is being considered for a position on Steve Sarkisian’s staff is a significant development. Brown, who was dismissed as head coach of West Virginia after the 2022 season, is now reportedly under consideration for a key role at Texas. This potential hire has created a stir, as it could bring invaluable experience, leadership, and football acumen to a Longhorns program that is on the rise.

This article will explore Neal Brown’s background, his coaching philosophy, and the potential impact he could have on the Texas Longhorns football program. We will analyze how his strengths could complement Sarkisian’s existing staff, the areas where he might help the team improve, and how his experience could benefit Texas as they look to return to national prominence.

Neal Brown’s Background: From West Virginia to Texas?

Neal Brown’s name is one that resonates with football enthusiasts, particularly those in the Big 12 Conference, where he spent a significant part of his career. Born in Lexington, Kentucky, Brown developed a passion for football at an early age, which led him to play as a wide receiver at Massachusetts. After graduating, Brown began his coaching career, starting as a graduate assistant at UConn and gradually working his way up through the coaching ranks.

Brown’s first significant coaching opportunity came as the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, where he worked under head coach Kliff Kingsbury from 2010 to 2012. During his time at Texas Tech, Brown gained a reputation as a rising star in the coaching ranks, particularly for his work with the Red Raiders’ explosive offense. In 2013, Brown became the head coach at Troy University, a position he held until 2017. At Troy, Brown revitalized the program, leading the Trojans to multiple bowl games and an impressive 35-16 overall record during his four-year tenure.

Brown’s success at Troy earned him a promotion to the head coach position at West Virginia in 2019. At West Virginia, Brown inherited a team in transition and spent the next few years trying to stabilize the program. Despite showing improvement in certain areas, Brown was unable to consistently produce results on the field, and after a disappointing 2022 season, he was let go by the university.

While Brown’s tenure at West Virginia was marred by inconsistency, there is no denying his coaching ability and his track record at smaller programs like Troy. His time at Troy demonstrated his ability to build competitive teams from the ground up, and his offensive expertise remains highly regarded across the coaching community.

Neal Brown’s Coaching Philosophy and Strengths

When considering any potential addition to a coaching staff, it is important to understand the coach’s philosophy and what they bring to the table in terms of football knowledge, leadership, and areas of specialization. In Neal Brown’s case, there are several aspects of his coaching philosophy that stand out.

1. Offensive Innovation and Development

At his core, Neal Brown is known as an offensive-minded coach with a keen ability to develop quarterbacks and create high-scoring offenses. His tenure as the offensive coordinator at Texas Tech, coupled with his successful run as head coach at Troy, allowed him to hone his skills in designing creative and effective offensive schemes. Brown’s offense is known for its balanced approach, emphasizing both the passing and running game.

While at Troy, Brown’s offenses consistently ranked among the best in the Sun Belt Conference. His offensive system is rooted in the air-raid style but is adapted to fit the personnel he has available. His emphasis on a dynamic passing attack paired with a strong running game gives his teams a versatile offensive identity that can adapt to different game situations.

Brown’s ability to develop quarterbacks has been one of the key strengths of his coaching career. At West Virginia, he worked with quarterbacks like Jarret Doege, and during his time at Troy, he developed Brandon Silvers, a former Troy quarterback who went on to have a successful career in the NFL. Brown has shown a knack for identifying quarterbacks with potential and helping them reach their full capabilities, a skill that could be crucial for Texas as they look to develop talented quarterbacks like Quinn Ewers and others in the pipeline.

2. Program Building and Player Development

Another area where Neal Brown has excelled is in his ability to build programs from the ground up. While his tenure at West Virginia was ultimately cut short, his work at Troy demonstrated his capability to take a mid-major program and turn it into a competitive force. Brown’s success at Troy is largely attributed to his ability to evaluate talent, develop players, and build a winning culture.

At Texas, the challenge will be different: the Longhorns are already an established program with access to elite talent, but the task will be to take that talent and maximize its potential. Brown’s experience in building a program at Troy, particularly with limited resources compared to larger Power 5 programs, could be a huge asset to Texas as they continue to develop and refine their roster.

3. Recruiting Expertise

While his time at West Virginia didn’t always yield the desired results, Neal Brown’s ability to recruit is something that should not be overlooked. At both Troy and West Virginia, Brown showed an aptitude for recruiting players who fit his system and could contribute to the success of his teams. At Texas, he could bring a fresh perspective to recruiting efforts, helping to identify players who are underappreciated by other programs and developing them into key contributors.

Texas, with its vast recruiting pool and resources, has one of the most formidable recruiting operations in the country. However, as any successful program knows, having the right personnel in place to identify and secure recruits is crucial to sustaining success. Neal Brown’s knowledge of the recruiting landscape, particularly in the South and Southeast, could provide a valuable boost to Texas’ recruiting efforts. His ability to evaluate talent and identify players who fit the Longhorns’ needs could help the program land even more elite prospects.

How Neal Brown Can Impact the Texas Longhorns Football Program

If Neal Brown is brought onto Steve Sarkisian’s staff, his impact could be felt in a number of key areas:

1. Quarterback Development

One of the most significant areas where Brown could make an immediate impact is in the development of Texas’ quarterbacks. With Quinn Ewers entering his second year as the starting quarterback and talented backups like Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning in the wings, Brown’s expertise in developing quarterbacks could be exactly what the Longhorns need. Brown has worked with quarterbacks at all levels and has a track record of success in getting the most out of his signal-callers. His guidance could be crucial for the continued growth of Texas’ quarterback room.

2. Offensive Strategy and Game Planning

Brown’s offensive experience could complement Sarkisian’s own offensive scheme and help take the Texas offense to the next level. While Sarkisian is known for his offensive brilliance, having someone like Brown to collaborate with on game planning, offensive schemes, and play-calling could provide a new level of depth and creativity to Texas’ attack. Brown’s ability to innovate and adapt his offense to different situations could be especially valuable in high-pressure games against top-tier opponents.

3. Cultural Impact

In addition to his technical skills, Brown’s leadership and ability to build a positive team culture would be a welcome addition to the Texas coaching staff. As Sarkisian works to build a championship culture at Texas, having a coach like Brown on staff who understands the importance of player development, discipline, and teamwork could help reinforce those values within the team. Brown’s leadership will be essential in creating an atmosphere where players hold themselves accountable and continually strive for excellence.