Let's take a look --comparison of Steve Kragthorpe who took over and promptly sent Louisville down the toilet after they had had sustained success and moved into the Big East, as compared to Neal Brown who took over a successful WVU BIG 12 squad and is producing very similar results.
Kragthorpe at Louisville. Terminated after 3 years by Louisville. Kragthorpe's contract was a 1.1 million dollar a year contract (with bonuses) for five years.
From Wikipedia "Nine consecutive winning seasons and bowl games came to an end under the direction of Kragthrope".
And here is Brown so far for WVU: Brown was inexplicably extended by A.D. Lyons--as reported by si. com --" With four years remaining on the original agreement, the extension now puts Brown under contract for the next six seasons. In total, the six-year contract is worth $23.85 million with an average yearly salary of $3,975,000 million over the length of the six-year deal. Brown also will be eligible to receive increased annual performance incentives, if met."
Prior to Brown's arrival WVU had had winning seasons in 15 of the previous 16 seasons and 5 straight winning seasons, as well as 5 straight bowl seasons.
Brown was spared another losing season in 2020 due to Covid and missing out playing i.e. FSU, Oklahoma and it also allowed him to take another losing regular season record into a bowl to get over .500 against a G5 squad (Army 24-21).
Right now its the middle of the third year, but Brown seems to be rushing towards an 8 loss year (OSU, Texas, TCU, ISU, KSU may make it 9 losses, even KU could finish them the way they are being coached to date).
With the inexplicable extension, Brown now has until 2026, but honestly if the team has yet another losing regular season outing and continues to show decline rather than "climb" as WVU fans have been sold for three straight seasons--what do the money people do? Can you afford 4 more years of this--especially in the middle of a realignment cycle where schools like Cincinnati are excelling and moving up?
Kragthorpe at Louisville. Terminated after 3 years by Louisville. Kragthorpe's contract was a 1.1 million dollar a year contract (with bonuses) for five years.
2007 | Louisville | 6–6 | 3–4 | T–5th | |
2008 | Louisville | 5–7 | 1–6 | 8th | |
2009 | Louisville | 4–8 | 1–6 | 7th |
Louisville: | 15–21 | 5–16 |
From Wikipedia "Nine consecutive winning seasons and bowl games came to an end under the direction of Kragthrope".
And here is Brown so far for WVU: Brown was inexplicably extended by A.D. Lyons--as reported by si. com --" With four years remaining on the original agreement, the extension now puts Brown under contract for the next six seasons. In total, the six-year contract is worth $23.85 million with an average yearly salary of $3,975,000 million over the length of the six-year deal. Brown also will be eligible to receive increased annual performance incentives, if met."
2019 | West Virginia | 5–7 | 3–6 | T–7th | |
2020 | West Virginia | 6–4 | 4–4 | 5th | W Liberty |
2021 | West Virginia | 2–4 | 0–3 | ||
West Virginia: | 13–15 | 7–13 |
Prior to Brown's arrival WVU had had winning seasons in 15 of the previous 16 seasons and 5 straight winning seasons, as well as 5 straight bowl seasons.
Brown was spared another losing season in 2020 due to Covid and missing out playing i.e. FSU, Oklahoma and it also allowed him to take another losing regular season record into a bowl to get over .500 against a G5 squad (Army 24-21).
Right now its the middle of the third year, but Brown seems to be rushing towards an 8 loss year (OSU, Texas, TCU, ISU, KSU may make it 9 losses, even KU could finish them the way they are being coached to date).
With the inexplicable extension, Brown now has until 2026, but honestly if the team has yet another losing regular season outing and continues to show decline rather than "climb" as WVU fans have been sold for three straight seasons--what do the money people do? Can you afford 4 more years of this--especially in the middle of a realignment cycle where schools like Cincinnati are excelling and moving up?