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

In the world of college football, the hiring of a new coach or staff member is often a high-stakes decision that can alter the trajectory of a program. Recently, Neal Brown, the former head coach at West Virginia University, has emerged as a potential candidate for a position on the Texas Longhorns football staff. As one of the most well-regarded coaches in college football, Brown’s potential arrival at Texas is generating significant buzz within the college football community, and fans and analysts alike are eager to understand what his addition could mean for the Longhorns.

Brown, who served as West Virginia’s head coach from 2019 to 2024, is no stranger to the pressures of managing a high-profile football program. Having led the Mountaineers through both successful and challenging seasons, Brown developed a reputation for his ability to build competitive teams and maintain consistent success, even in the face of adversity. With Texas looking to bolster its coaching staff under head coach Steve Sarkisian, the possibility of Brown joining the Longhorns has sparked intrigue about his potential contributions, his coaching style, and his fit within the existing framework of Texas football.

This article will explore Neal Brown’s career, his coaching philosophy, his track record at West Virginia, and the potential impact of his addition to Texas’ football staff. Additionally, we will examine how Brown’s coaching experience could complement Steve Sarkisian’s vision for the Longhorns, and the possible benefits and challenges of bringing in a coach with Brown’s background and expertise.

Neal Brown’s Coaching Journey

Before analyzing what Brown could bring to Texas, it is essential to understand his career trajectory. Brown’s path to becoming a head coach was built on years of experience as an assistant coach at various institutions, which gave him the tools to lead a program at the highest level.

1. Early Career and Rise Through the Ranks

Neal Brown began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at UCLA, where he worked alongside future head coaches and learned the intricacies of college football. After his time at UCLA, Brown took on assistant coaching roles at Grantham College and Kentucky, where he made a name for himself as a bright offensive mind with an innovative approach. His time as an offensive coordinator at Troy University was where he truly began to shine, building a reputation for creating dynamic offenses that could compete at a high level in the competitive world of college football.

At Troy, Brown’s offense gained national attention. Under his leadership, the Troy Trojans became known for their high-powered attack, and Brown’s ability to develop quarterbacks and skill players was lauded. His success at Troy was instrumental in his rise to head coach at West Virginia University in 2019, where he took over a program that was in need of a rebuild.

2. West Virginia Head Coaching Career

Brown took over the West Virginia football program after the departure of Dana Holgorsen, a coach who had a successful tenure at the school. Brown was tasked with continuing West Virginia’s strong football tradition while putting his own stamp on the program. Over his five seasons as the Mountaineers’ head coach, Brown was able to achieve some notable successes but also faced challenges that are common for coaches trying to re-establish a program.

During his time at West Virginia, Brown’s teams showed flashes of brilliance but struggled with consistency at times. His teams were generally well-coached on defense and special teams, but the offense remained a point of frustration. Despite the ups and downs, Brown’s leadership and work ethic earned him respect within the coaching community, and he consistently demonstrated the ability to build a competitive team even with less talent than some of his Big 12 counterparts.

Under Brown’s guidance, West Virginia finished with a record of 33-29, including bowl appearances in three of his five seasons. While the Mountaineers never captured a Big 12 title under Brown, they were often competitive and featured a strong defense that played a pivotal role in their success.

Neal Brown’s Coaching Philosophy

One of the key reasons that Texas is considering Neal Brown for a position on their coaching staff is his approach to football, particularly his offensive and defensive philosophies. Brown’s offensive schemes, while not always flashy, are built around solid principles that can help a team succeed in the modern game of college football.

1. Offensive Philosophy

Brown’s offensive philosophy is built around a balanced attack that emphasizes the running game but does not shy away from the passing game. Throughout his career, he has coached offenses that rely on tempo, rhythm, and versatility. He has always preferred to work with a quarterback who is capable of both reading defenses and making plays with his legs. While his offenses at West Virginia were inconsistent at times, they often featured explosive plays that put pressure on opposing defenses.

In terms of the running game, Brown places a premium on establishing control of the line of scrimmage. Whether with power running schemes or zone blocking, he is committed to developing a reliable ground attack. His offensive line coaching background has helped him develop solid blocking schemes that can open up holes for running backs.

Brown’s success with quarterbacks has also been notable. He has a reputation for developing quarterbacks, and several of his former players have gone on to succeed at the next level. His offensive system is adaptable, and he has shown the ability to tailor his approach based on the personnel available, which would likely be a benefit to Texas given their talent pool.

2. Defensive Philosophy

While Brown is known for his offensive background, he is also deeply committed to defense. Throughout his coaching career, Brown has emphasized the importance of a physical and disciplined defense that can stop the run and get after the quarterback. At West Virginia, his defenses were consistently among the better units in the Big 12, and his teams often used pressure schemes to disrupt opposing offenses.

Brown’s defensive philosophy is predicated on creating turnovers and forcing quarterbacks into uncomfortable situations. His defensive lines were often among the most aggressive in the conference, and he worked to develop an aggressive secondary that could lock down wide receivers while providing support for the defensive line.

3. Team Culture and Leadership

In addition to his tactical knowledge, Brown is known for his leadership and ability to build a strong team culture. His approach emphasizes discipline, hard work, and accountability. Brown is a coach who stresses the importance of effort and instills a mentality in his players that they must give their best every day. This type of leadership would be valuable for a program like Texas, where consistency and a strong culture are critical for success.

Potential Impact on Texas Football

The Texas Longhorns, under head coach Steve Sarkisian, have made strides toward returning to national prominence. With a talented roster and an experienced coaching staff, Texas is in a position to compete at a high level within the Big 12 and beyond. However, bringing in someone like Neal Brown could further elevate the program and offer several benefits to Sarkisian and his coaching staff.

1. Offensive Development

Brown’s expertise with developing quarterbacks and creating a balanced offense could complement Sarkisian’s offensive system. While Sarkisian is known for his high-powered passing attack, Brown could bring a unique perspective in terms of helping to develop a more dynamic rushing attack, something that could add another dimension to Texas’ offensive scheme. Brown’s experience with different offensive schemes could also provide valuable insight into how to keep opposing defenses off-balance.

2. Defensive Expertise

Though Sarkisian’s primary focus is on the offensive side of the ball, bringing Brown onto the staff could provide a valuable boost to Texas’ defensive game plan. With Brown’s experience in building strong defensive units, his presence could help bolster the Longhorns’ defense, especially in terms of creating pressure on the quarterback and improving the secondary. Texas has had its challenges on defense in recent years, and Brown’s aggressive, discipline-focused defensive philosophy could help Texas become more of a balanced, all-around team.

3. Recruiting and Player Development

As a coach who has developed talent throughout his career, Brown would also be a valuable asset to Texas in terms of recruiting. Brown has a reputation for being able to identify and develop talent, particularly at the quarterback and wide receiver positions. His ability to recruit and develop players would complement Sarkisian’s own recruiting prowess, helping Texas continue to attract top talent and develop it effectively.

4. Team Culture and Leadership

With Brown’s leadership style, he could bring a level of discipline and accountability to the Longhorns’ program that would reinforce Sarkisian’s emphasis on team culture. Building a winning culture is key to success in college football, and Brown’s focus on effort and toughness could serve as a catalyst for Texas players to take their game to the next level.

Conclusion

The potential hiring of Neal Brown as part of the Texas Longhorns football staff is an exciting development for the program. With a strong background in both offensive and defensive coaching, Brown has the experience and leadership qualities that could help elevate Texas to new heights. His expertise in developing quarterbacks, building balanced offenses, and creating aggressive, disciplined defenses makes him an ideal candidate to complement Steve Sarkisian’s vision for the Longhorns.

While Brown’s tenure at West Virginia had its ups and downs, his time as a head coach in the Big 12 has prepared him for a successful role at a program like Texas. His ability to adapt to different personnel, develop talent, and instill a strong team culture would make him an invaluable addition to the Longhorns’ staff.

As Texas continues to strive for national prominence, bringing Neal Brown on board could be a game-changer, allowing the Longhorns to further solidify their place as one of the top programs in college football. If the rumors of Brown joining the staff prove true, the combination of his expertise and Sarkisian’s vision could help push Texas toward championship contention.