and I hate to bring up any negative at all with the juice we have going but it seems the one constant non glowing endorsement is defensive line depth.

Those guys are both masters of coachspeak and twisting things to build accountablity and competition but it doesn’t sound like we have the needed seven or eight for these big non conference games and conference schedule.

I hear Hammond Russel and Asani Redwood both mentioned as solid depth pieces but that as consistency goes is about it .

Lesley doesn’t sound convinced but d line is his specialty and it may be his bar is set high. Good news is we have always had a solid line under his direction and it has been even better with Jackson as the position coach.

I was worried about the back end but like K said, that sounds great, particularly the new corners.

I guess if that's the least of our worries, we are doing pretty well. Lol..

With a letter that says, “The enclosed contribution if accepted may only be utilized towards the buyout of Coach Brown”, do they have to use it that way? Or can they deposit it and use it however they want?

I thought he was out for 2 or 3 weeks. Did I miss an update somewhere?

it really feels like it on this board except for last year. . I bet if you went back two years ago, you would see the same comments, different coach replacement names, giving up and disgusted comments, etc. The same thing over and over but we are still refusing to wake up

East Carolina football coaching candidates: Who could replace Mike Houston?​

Bruce Feldman
East Carolina’s Mike Houston on Sunday became the first FBS head coach to get fired this season. Houston had won big at James Madison, going 37-6 overall with a national title at the FCS level. He led the Pirates to two bowl games in his first four seasons, but they went 2-10 last year. Things took a bad turn this season after ECU got crushed by 31 at the hands of in-state rival Charlotte. ECU’s 45-28 loss to Army last weekend made it four losses out of the last five games, and that was it for Houston.

This vacancy will be pretty attractive, according to industry sources. Houston was making $2.4 million, which is a big number for a non-Power 4 head coaching job. There are some good potential options here for the Pirates.

Western Kentucky head coach Tyson Helton, a former Tennessee offensive coordinator, has done an outstanding job, going 45-28 and is 31-11 in six seasons in Conference USA play. The Hilltoppers are 5-2 this year with their lone losses coming at Alabama and by one point at Boston College. They also have a nice win over Toledo. The 47-year-old got strong consideration for the Purduehead coaching job a few years ago and is expected to be a strong candidate for the Pirates.

Louisiana-Monroe head coach Bryant Vincent is making a strong case for national coach of the year in his debut season. He did excellent work at UAB as an offensive coordinator, then jumped in as interim head coach when Bill Clark retired for health reasons. Last year as New Mexico’s OC, Vincent took over what was the worst offense in the FBS and boosted it to 35th in yards per play. The Lobos improved from No. 108 in red zone efficiency to No. 14. Vincent has made an even bigger impact in Monroe. The Warhawks, who haven’t had a winning season since 2012, are 5-1 and undefeated in Sun Belt play, their best start in almost 40 years. Their only loss is at Texas.

Former UAB coach Bill Clark, Vincent’s old boss, is said to be in great shape and great spirits and looking to coach again. Clark, 56, won the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award in 2018 after leading the Blazers to an 11-3 record, thriving at a place that faced challenges like no other FBS program. In six seasons there, Clark went 32-12 in Conference USA play and was 49-26. He just knows how to win and run a program in spite of hurdles and headaches.

Jacksonville Jaguars running backs coach Jerry Mack is another former college head coach who might be in play. Mack, 43, spent the previous three seasons at Tennessee, where he helped Josh Heupel lead that a program out of a messy stretch. Before that, Mack went 31-15 at FCS program North Carolina Central, including a 26-6 run in MEAC play.

The coordinator pool also is intriguing. Miami offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson is emerging as a top candidate for the Broyles Award, honoring the nation’s top assistant coach. The 47-year old Dawson, who began his coaching career in the state of North Carolina at Division II Wingate University, has played a pivotal role in the Hurricanes’ rise from underachieving ACC also-ran to legit CFP contender. Miami leads the nation in plays of 20-plus yards (61), ten more than the next most explosive team. The year before Dawson arrived, Miami only had 42 such plays over a 12-game season, ranking No. 114 in the FBS. Dawson’s offense leads the nation in yards per play at 8.05, Miami ranked No. 89 the year before hiring him. The Canes also lead the country in third down offense by a wide margin, converting at a 60.2 percent clip. Dawson has a connection to ECU athletic director Jon Gilbert from their time together at Southern Miss. Dawson might be of interest for some potentially bigger openings this winter, but for a program with a middling offense, he will be very attractive.

LSU offensive coordinator Joe Sloan is another hot name with strong ties at ECU, as a former Pirates quarterback. Sloan spent almost a decade under Skip Holtz at Louisiana Tech before getting hired to coach quarterbacks at LSU, where he helped Heisman winner Jayden Daniels blossom into a superstar. Sloan took over the offense after Mike Denbrock went back to Notre Dame, and the Tigers have remained potent despite having to replace Daniels and two first-round wideouts. They rank 11th in third down offense and 28th in yards per play, and they lead the SEC in points per game (33.0) in conference play. The 37-year-old should be in play for this job at his alma mater.

Clemson offensive coordinator Garrett Riley, 35, is a hot name again. The younger brother of USC coach Lincoln Riley and the offensive spark behind TCU’s rise to the national title game two years ago, Riley is having a terrific second season for Clemson. He knows ECU well, having spent three seasons as an assistant there, and he spent another year in-state at Appalachian State, where he picked up some wrinkles for his run game. He also figures to get a long look.

Missouri offensive coordinator Kirby Moore has played a big part in the Tigers’ rise in the SEC. He’s also expected to be a strong candidate for the Fresno State head coaching vacancy.

Georgia Tech offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner figures to get a look after helping turn Tech from the ACC’s No. 11 offense to No. 3 last year. He is also considered a strong option for the Southern Miss vacancy.

Kirby Smart has really leaned on Georgia assistant head coach Todd Hartley, 39, to elevate the program since his arrival on staff in 2019. Hartley is another guy on a lot of athletic directors’ radar.

Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman, a Virginia native, has coached in-state as defensive coordinator at Elon and UNC. The 51-year-old is a really sharp defensive mind who has played a key role in the Aggies’ rise under first-year head coach Mike Elko. If ECU wants to lean into defense, Bateman should draw some interest.

Another defensive guy to keep an eye on is Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines, a Broyles Award semifinalist for his work at JMU last year. Haines spent two years in North Carolina at Elon and has continued to work his way up since, following Curt Cignetti to Indiana, where the Hoosiers have the college football world buzzing. The former Ball State linebacker is directing the nation’s No. 5 defense in yards per play, after Indiana finished No. 87 in that category last year. This guy is going to be in demand this winter.

Syracuse offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon, 50, also may get a look for this job. A Penn State product who spent almost two decades coaching in the NFL, including three years with the Carolina Panthers, Nixon has done a really nice job in his debut season with the Orange. They rank No. 2 in the country in third down offense, up from No. 63 last year.

Missouri defensive tackles coach David Blackwell, a former ECU offensive lineman who got his start in coaching with the Pirates and later was DC at this alma mater and then interim head coach in 2018. He also might be on the interview list, given the success the Tigers have had of late.

He just can't get it done.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2024) – The West Virginia University cross country team was selected No. 4 in the NCAA DI Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon.



The Mountaineers rise to fourth place after being picked No. 28 in the week three poll on Oct. 8.



West Virginia’s fourth place ranking is the highest for the squad since Nov. 24, 2008, when the Mountaineers were selected as No. 4 in USTFCCCA’s final poll of the season.



WVU moves to No. 4 after finishing in fourth place at the Wisconsin Pre Nationals Meet in Madison, Wisconsin on Oct. 19 with 207 team points. Saturday’s race was highlighted by senior Ceili McCabe, who claimed a fourth-place finish in the women’s 6k with a program record and personal best time of 19:10.8.



Freshman Joy Naukot added yet another impressive performance in Madison, claiming 10th place while running the fastest time for a West Virginia freshman in the 6k, 19:37.4.



The Mountaineers were also selected as No. 2 in the Mid Atlantic Regional rankings, which was announced by USTFCCA on Oct. 21. Georgetown holds the regional ranking steady, at No. 1.



West Virginia will compete at the Big 12 Championship on Nov.1, this year's conference championship will be hosted by Baylor. The league's championship start time is to be announced, as the race will be held at the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco, Texas.



For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (Oct. 22, 2024) – The West Virginia University cross country team was selected No. 4 in the NCAA DI Women’s Cross Country National Coaches’ Poll, announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Tuesday afternoon.



The Mountaineers rise to fourth place after being picked No. 28 in the week three poll on Oct. 8.



West Virginia’s fourth place ranking is the highest for the squad since Nov. 24, 2008, when the Mountaineers were selected as No. 4 in USTFCCCA’s final poll of the season.



WVU moves to No. 4 after finishing in fourth place at the Wisconsin Pre Nationals Meet in Madison, Wisconsin on Oct. 19 with 207 team points. Saturday’s race was highlighted by senior Ceili McCabe, who claimed a fourth-place finish in the women’s 6k with a program record and personal best time of 19:10.8.



Freshman Joy Naukot added yet another impressive performance in Madison, claiming 10th place while running the fastest time for a West Virginia freshman in the 6k, 19:37.4.



The Mountaineers were also selected as No. 2 in the Mid Atlantic Regional rankings, which was announced by USTFCCA on Oct. 21. Georgetown holds the regional ranking steady, at No. 1.



West Virginia will compete at the Big 12 Championship on Nov.1, this year's conference championship will be hosted by Baylor. The league's championship start time is to be announced, as the race will be held at the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course in Waco, Texas.



For more information on the Mountaineers, visit WVUsports.com and follow WVUXCTF on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Wren has said he spent a lot of time within the program the last ~ 2 years. Neal predicted this season would be a strong one, and Wren agreed, extending his contract—making it even more costly to fire him now. This raises questions not only about Neal’s judgment of his team but also Wren’s evaluation of the staff and program. It’s only fair to scrutinize both. Time to fix it, Wren.

My Fiver on WVU's Homecoming night loss to Kansas State Saturday....

1. Turnovers. We are once again negative on turnovers (-2), and once again take an "L". We don't force'em, and Garrett Greene gives'em away. Until this is fixed, this team is going to have trouble winning any games this year. 3-9 is not off the table.

2. Turning point. Turning point vs. Iowa State was the missed FG to start the 2nd quarter. Turning point Saturday night was the drive to end the 1st half. 17-10 KSU at the time, as despite playing like relative dog shi*, we are still somehow in the game. We have the ball 2nd and 7 at the KSU 9-yard line and Neal Brown calls a straight QB draw right into the teeth of K-State's defense, and we go backwards 2 yards. On 3rd and 9, we pick up 8, and we're left with a 4th and 1 from the "3". Fourth Down Brown decides to forgo the chip shot FG and go for it...and Garrett throws the ball into the ground. Game, set, match. Take the 3-points there, get into half down just 4 and come out with some renewed energy. Instead, we went into the half just deflated.

3. Garrett Greene has been carrying this team on his back with the QB run game, and now that is gone with him predictably hurt. There is nothing we've seen from our passing game or conventional run game which gives any indication that this offense will be able to move the ball on anyone. In particular, we are downright awful on first downs. Lots of 2nd & 9s, 2nd & 12s, etc. Both of Garrett's INTs came on third and long plays where K-State just dropped back into coverage and dared him to throw. He obliged. Play calling and our offense leaves a lot to be desired, to say the least.

4. My goodness Sean Martin. If you are a 6'5" 290lb NFL hopeful Senior defensive end, don't let a QB shed you like a worn out old overcoat. I can't get over the fact that we gave up 45 points to Kansas State and their QB didn't attempt a single rush.

5. This is just sad and pathetic. One of my earliest memories of WVU football was a party that my Dad's best friend (Dr. Robert Wanker) was throwing at his house to watch the 1983 WVU at Boston College game. BC was ranked, coming off of a big win over Clemson, and WVU was coming off of a big win at Maryland. I was just 7 years old, and the game was on national television and it seemed so enormously big to me. BC had Doug Flutie, they were a media darling, we were in their place...we don't have a chance, right? Nah -- we went up there and just were bigger, stronger, tougher...winning 27-17. Then, we'd beat Pitt the next week to remain undefeated. We'd beat BC again in '84 and Penn State the week after. Our perception of WVU football was forged as Winners. That's how my generation of WVU Nation was raised - we never felt like we weren't good enough, or tough enough. We expect to compete. We expect WVU to win, more often than not. We expect this WVU football program to be something which can be looked upon with pride.

You look at the current state of affairs and it's not the program I once recognized. We're soft. We get pummeled on the reg, not just by Penn State and Oklahoma, but by Kansas State and Iowa State has beaten us 6 out of 7. I mean, c'mon...Ames, Iowa? If I had more money than God I would show up in Morgantown yesterday, cut Neal Brown a check for whatever it takes for him to leave, and start the process to build this thing back to something resembling a tough, hard-nosed football program which is worthy of our investment of time and energy. I know this is a financial thing now, and I get that...but changes are necessary to win. There is a worthy replacement out there somewhere, but it's going to be up to Wren Baker and Co. to figure out how to make the hire and make the finances work.

But I do not accept the fact that we are looking up at Iowa State, Kansas State and BYU. WVU's football program has been something of which we can all take pride in and celebrate for decades. It's currently on life support.

I really hope Dan Mullen gets a call. 7-3 in bowls and 63% win pctg in the SEC. IDGAF about if hes weird and plays bingo, any of that shit. He wins

oh and in his 13years of coaching he was ranked 10 times.

For those of you of forgot what ranked is, its where your team is one of the best 25 teams in the country

Why and how are they still employed? Is there any indicators that they will be fired? Just doesn’t make any sense to have them on staff anymore when the defense and secondary is this bad.

Not firing Lesley and ShaDon is not the biggest issue, Neal is and I get that. But wouldn’t you think that firing one or both of them would show the fans that the administration (and Neal) care about winning? The fanbase is in shambles. FIRE SOMEONE!!

Can we afford any head coaches?

Someone asked him about starting Nico even if GG is healthy, and his response was..

"Did you see the last two drives of the first half? Went 90 yards twice. It's a non-starter. Next question."

NB is the coach in 2025 as of right now?

I say 50/50.

It is a tough time to be a Mountaineer fan. It has been a tough time to be a Mountaineer fan. It seems like forever since we have been relevant in football. And it seems almost as long in basketball. Years and years of irrelevance. Time has passed by pretty quickly. But it is shocking how long it has been.

I have met NB a few times. Really like the guy and his family. But it is time to move on. We have talked about the cost of letting him go. I would argue the cost to the University would be far greater if he stayed. Lost ticket sales. Lost donations. Damage to the brand.

DeVries has breathed some life into the moribund basketball program. I watched the game against Charleston and I did not recognize anyone on the team, not even Naveh (different hair cut, lol). But I fear it is going to be a pretty long season. He needs time to recruit and to build relationships with key donors that allow us to compete in the NIL game. I was heartened by our performance in the game. But the Big 12 is a whole different animal. Not sure we have the horses to be a factor. It is likely that we don't. Even in the NIL era, re-building takes time, shorter in basketball, longer in football.

Wren has an easy decision but tough to execute agenda. The season will play out. At season's end, NB will very, very likely be gone. And the search needs to already be underway, much as it was during the transition year in basketball. Wren is a basketball guy. How good will he be on the football side? He needs to be an A player and make the exact right decision. Or we continue swirling down this drain.

I haven't a clue who would be a great hire. Cignetti would likely be a home run but I suspect he will have bigger fish to fry. And would he really leave the B1G for the Big 12? And, even if we make the right hire, how long will we remain in the wilderness? It is going to take time. We have learned patience. We have had to. But this is wearing very thin. I now expect losses rather than looking forward to games. Depressing.

But tomorrow is a new day. Hope in basketball. For sure. Hope in football? We will have to wait a while for that.

Wren, get it right. Please.

Goose Crowder out for the remainder of the year and Gerad Parker has them sitting at 1-6 so far. Not a lot of happy campers on the Troy twitter feed.