MAILBAG: Possibility of Jimbo Fisher, Bowl Destination, Lesley's Job + More

Answering this week's questions from the fans.

From @missbeeyo:

Q: Which bowl game do you think they will play in? Personally, I think it's going to be the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

A: Guaranteed Rate is the one I keep hearing the most. Also wouldn't be surprised if it's the Liberty Bowl. Even after the regular season is over, it's still so hard to gauge and project which bowls teams will go to. I would like to see a big name program be matched up with WVU in the bowl like a Notre Dame or Clemson. If you can beat a name like that in a bowl, you feel a little better than taking down Boston College or Rutgers.

From @Simmonswv:

Q: Does HCNB make any staff changes, especially on the D side?

A: In my opinion, I don't think he has a choice but to. That said, I don't think he will unless someone leaves for another job. Through all the struggles, he remains loyal to his assistants. I can't see him parting ways with any of those guys.

From @chammy0519:

Q: Why not use the full back in short yardage situations? At least TRY something different, instead of the same thing over and over.

A: They have used Treylan Davis in that role at times. They prefer using the bigger bodies like a Davis or even Nick Malone over Luke Hamilton. But I do agree to an extent. Neal has been very creative with his play-calling this season, except in those short-yardage situations.

From @wvufan2023:

Q: Do you think we need to let go of Jordan Lesley after this season? This defense is getting cooked almost every single week.

A: It's a tough call. The optics don't look good when you look at the numbers, but we can't forget how banged up this team is. They've suffered season-ending injuries to multiple key contributors/starters and it was a defense that lacked depth coming into the season. I don't know if firing him is the solution, it might be. Instead, I think they just need to focus on establishing more depth via the portal and get some guys that allow them to do more than play drop zone. If you play zone 95% of the time, quarterbacks like Dillon Gabriel will pick you a part. Right now, they don't have the personnel to play man. That slight philosophical change can make a difference.

From @kimberlymurdoc2:

Q: Is Baker going to let coach Brown go? Hope so, don’t think the fans can stand other horrible season next year. Will Baker even look at coach Fisher? Would be nice.

A: Probably not and no. The only way Brown re-enters rough waters is if they lose to both Cincinnati and Baylor AND lose the bowl game, in my opinion. You have to think of it this way, the moment Baker decides to move on from Brown, the clock starts on him. If he fires Brown and makes the wrong hire, he won't be around long himself. Keeping Brown another year drops the buyout (which may be re-negotiated anyways) and gives you a chance to retain all of the young talent this team has. Parting ways most likely leads to a roster dump.

From @Huddleston1138:

Q: Do you think Baker would have any interest in Jimbo, or if/when the time comes, will he want “his” guy (likely someone we’ve never heard of from a lower level Oklahoma or Texas school)?

A: I really don't. I understand why folks want him, but unless you have a large pile of cash, he's not going to even sit down at the table. Baker and co. would be better off putting their focus in building the Trust.

From @CountryRoads2:

Q: In real estate, everyone deals in comparable properties. What are the 5 most comparable coaching changes to WVU in 2019 and 2020 in terms of having low returning production, zero QBs and losing close to the same amount of STARTERS as WVU in the last 5 years?

A: Great question. Ryan Day (Ohio State) Scott Satterfield (Louisville), Mack Brown (North Carolina), Chris Klieman (K-State), Geoff Collins (Georgia Tech), Mel Tucker (Colorado), Matt Wells (Texas Tech), Manny Diaz (Miami), Les Miles (Kansas), and Mike Locksley (Maryland) were the other Power Five coaches hired the same year as Neal Brown. Names in bold are still with that school. Satterfield, Collins, Wells, Diaz, and Miles were fired. Texas Tech or Maryland is probably the most comparable, maybe even Louisville. 

From @Joes_Corner_126:

Q: How do you feel about the Jimbo to WVU hype? Does anyone really believe that year six will finally be Neal's breakout season if he stays?

A: It doesn't make any sense to me. If you fire Brown, you're likely losing the core of young players that have been a part of this semi-successful season. How do I know that? Well, simply because you're spending so much money on a coach that you won't be able to retain the players on the roster. Yes, I know the money comes from different shovels, but I think you get what I'm saying here. If Neal can get to eight wins, it will give them a chance to pitch something to transfer targets that they haven't been able to in years prior. Transfers aren't going to look at the strength of record or schedule. They'll see eight wins. They'll see a dynamic dual-threat QB returning. And they'll see an opportunity to compete for a conference title.

From @Mountiealum97:

Q: I know you can’t answer this but…. Do you think Wren Baker will take into account the wins against horrible teams and losses against quality opponents. I really feel if we had same schedule as last year our record might be worse.

A: Oh yes, for sure. You have to. But that doesn't mean that he will part ways with Brown for going potentially 8-4 with a weak schedule. You have to remember, this was a team picked to finish dead last in the Big 12 Conference. Weak schedule or not, eight wins is incredible season considering what everyone thought they would do. Although I do agree that facing K-State, Texas, Kansas, or Iowa State would probably make for a worse record. On the other hand, you can only play who is on your schedule and we could have the same conversation about Oklahoma State who just got boatraced by UCF. 

From @My_name_is_Gym:

Q: WVU doesn't actually have any money to fire Brown...correct?

A: If they wanted to make a change, they could. But just because you can doesn't mean it's the best thing to do financially.

From @goJohnnyA:

Q: Have we been lied to about this offensive line? Against defenses with a pulse they show not to be able to move the pile. Lack of sacks is more GG than superb pass blocking. JT would be getting sacked 8 times a game.

A: No. I think the o-line has dominated for much of the season and has done so against some pretty good fronts. They got whipped in Norman and there's no arguing that. But everyone played bad, so I wouldn't pin the loss on them. And yes, having a mobile QB does help tremendously with the sack totals. That's why everyone, for the most part, wants one. It gives you more of a chance than if you have a pure pocket guy like Jarret Doege or JT Daniels.

From @rosscfh:

Q: What's Brown's thinking in making hardly any coaching changes these 5 years? Will his loyalty be his downfall, or is it a control issue?

A: He is loyal to his assistants. He also knows that they really haven't had the depth to have much of a chance until this season. Depth is still an issue but this is the best he's had since he arrived in 2019. As I mentioned in one of the questions above, I do think some sort of change needs to be made. Is it actually moving on from a coach? Maybe, but I think it's more of a slight change in philosophy but in order to do that you have to have the horses to do it.

Week 12 Odds: West Virginia vs. Cincinnati

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