West Virginia University Coach Neal Brown Optimistic About Underrated Mountaineer Football Team
LAS VEGAS – West Virginia University’s head coach, Neal Brown, remains optimistic about his football team, despite being undervalued by preseason rankings.
At last year’s media day in Texas, Brown defended his players and program, confidently stating that they wouldn’t finish last as predicted. The Mountaineers proved him right, finishing the 2023 season with a 9-4 record, including a victory over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Despite these achievements and several dynamic players returning, West Virginia is picked to finish seventh in the 16-team league and is receiving little consideration for the top 25. Brown addressed this at a press conference at Allegiant Stadium, highlighting the team’s rallying around last year’s low expectations.
“There is no question we rallied around that last year. When we were picked 14th, I said we wouldn’t be there, and our team proved me right,” Brown said. “To win in college football, you’ve got to be really talented in skill positions and strong in the trenches on both lines. We had those types of players.”
This year, Brown is again reminding people of the talent on his team, which includes standout player Garrett Greene. “We were the No. 1 Power Four rushing offense last year, and we’re picked seventh in the league. We are not in these preseason top 25s, so there is a similar dynamic this year,” he noted.
Despite the lack of recognition, Brown remains bullish on his Mountaineers, confident they will once again surpass expectations.
