MAILBAG: Squashing Neal Brown Rumors, Portal Concerns, Staff Questions + More

Answering this week's questions from the fans.

From @EverlyDave:

Q: Have you ever seen a worse QB sneak attempt? I know I haven’t. That 4th and 1 attempt was way too obvious. Never had a chance.

A: I have to admit, I don't hate the sneak. However, I do hate the operation of it. Why allow Baylor to get lined up? In my opinion, you have to already know that you're going for it before you even snap the ball on third down. As soon as the play ended, I would have got right on the ball and quickly snapped it on 4th. Thinking about it and allowing Baylor to get set up was never going to work, you're right.

From @RonaldNatale:

Q: What does next years o-line look like? Over under on who sits for the bowl - 6.

A: (LT) Wyatt Milum, (LG) Tomas Rimac, (C) Brandon Yates, (RG) JaQuay Hubbard, and a transfer at right tackle would be my guess. If they feel Johnny Williams IV is able to slide in as a starter this early in his career, possibly him. 

I'll go under six on those sitting out. That's assuming we aren't counting transfers. The only top-tier prospect WVU has, Zach Frazier, will miss the game due to injury. Guys like Beanie Bishop, Lee Kpogba, and Doug Nester need to put as much as they can on tape. 

From @wvufan2023:

Q: Do you think Neal Brown wins Big 12 Coach of the Year?

A: I don't. It'll probably be Sark or Gundy. No one likes to admit that they were dead wrong. Plus, Gundy coached his team to a Big 12 title appearance after a getting blown out at home to South Alabama. I do believe Brown should get it though. It's the same voters who said they would finish dead last. They were more off on their judgement of WVU than anyone else.

From @Huddleston1138:

Q: Did Brown start the “Brown to UK” rumors himself to try to trick WVU into another extension?

A: I haven't seen/heard anything about Brown to Kentucky rumors. It may have popped up for a second when Stoops was rumored to go to A&M, but Brown isn't going anywhere.

From @ABBurgh79:

Q: If Texas win B12 title and OU sneaks in NY6 bowl. Does WVU have a shot at the Pop Tarts Bowl vs Irish?

A: 

From @FauxCaridiNTC:

Q: How legitimate a candidate is NB for Kentucky?

A: As I mentioned above, I don't think he would have left for Kentucky even if that job came open. He could have parlayed the rumored interest into an extension or raise, but nothing crazy.

From @mgtnquasar:

Q: Where do you see this team at this time next year? Improved or at the status-quo? Also, how realistic is it for West Virginia to fire Jordan Lesley?

A: This should be a team fighting for a spot in Arlington. I truly believe that as long as they are able to retain a good chunk of the roster. Anything short of being in the mix in late November could cost Brown his job. As for Lesley, I mean, anything is possible but I have a hard time seeing Brown make a switch. He believes they've played good defense this year outside of the Oklahoma game and probably the second half of the Baylor game. They were thin in the back end and lost some key pieces at linebacker due to injury. I agree they should've performed at a higher level, but I get Brown's view of it as well.

From @cstalker19:

Q: Can this staff keep the role players? Will Jahiem, CJ, etc. seek out other opportunities? How do you retain the guys who were major keys to a good year? Seems like that has been an issue in HCNB’s tenure.

A: Other teams will be calling, that's for sure. That's just the world we live in nowadays. That being said, I do believe West Virginia is better positioned to retain its talent than in previous years. The trust has a strong foundation and there's a better organization to the madness with GM Drew Fabianich in the fold.

From @rosscfh:

Q: Do you think if Oliver Luck was still AD, Brown would be head coach next year?

A: That's tough to say largely because I don't know if he would have let Dana Holgorsen walk. Plus, he probably wouldn't have hired Brown. But I do understand your question. Would he be ready to make a change after a coach posts a 30-29 record after five years? I think he would.

From @MoneyGunWVU:

Q: Will we see a coaching staff shakeup to address the weaknesses on defense and special teams? If Neal doesn’t do it, does Wren take matters into his own hand and do it for him?

A: Wren isn't going to get involved and I wouldn't even think about it if I were him. Everything Neal does is on him and the previous AD. You don't want to attach yourself to a coordinator change that could blow up in your face and all of a sudden, you become part of the blame. As far as potential changes go, I don't think Lesley goes anywhere. Jeff Koonz? Maybe.

Latest Bowl Projections for West Virginia

You can follow us for future coverage by liking us on Facebook & following us on X:

Facebook - @MountaineersNow

X - @MountaineersNow and Schuyler Callihan at @Callihan_.