MORGANTOWN, W. Va. — Neal Brown made a debut of sorts Tuesday, appearing on the Big 12 coaches teleconference for the first time. Coaches throughout the league recapped their springs, and as one of four first-year coaches, Brown was a subject of curiosity to those who cover the Big 12.
Very little of what Brown had to say was new to a West Virginia audience, though he did not lack for interesting nuggets of information.
As one would expect, Brown had plenty of good things to say about the way he has been received in West Virginia since accepting the Mountaineers coaching job in January.
“The reception has been very positive,” Brown said. “As far as the fans’ opinion, I think you’d have to take a poll. But I think our season ticket sales are going well.”
Brown will get his first real opportunity to get around the state in the coming month. He was at the Mountaineer Athletic Club scholarship dinner in Charleston on Monday night, and will hit the road for the Mountaineer Coaches Caravan in May. The Caravan stops in Wheeling (May 6), Martinsburg (May 7), Parkersburg (May 8), Princeton (May 21) and Beckley (May 22).
“We had a tremendous turnout in Charleston,” Brown said. “In the next 3-4 weeks, we’re getting out and engaging with our fan base in different parts of state. I think it’s a good fit for myself and my family. Through the first 3-4 months, it’s been positive.”
On WVU’s most improved players
Brown cited players on each side of the ball for showing the most improvement over the course of spring practice: left guard Mike Brown and Will linebacker Josh Chandler.
“He made big strides through practice,” Brown said of the unrelated offensive lineman, who did not begin playing football until he got to college.
Brown said that Chandler was “probably our most productive player on defense” in the spring.
On the need to build the offensive line
Brown seems comfortable with his top five offensive linemen as well as redshirt freshman Briason Mays, who can plug in at center or guard if needed.
He also made it clear that the Mountaineers will be seeking another offensive lineman, if not more, from the transfer portal.
“We need to add one or two bodies as we go through the summer,” Brown said.
West Virginia has two scholarships available for this year’s class. Brown has also cited a need to add depth along the defensive front.
On West Virginia’s isolation from the rest of the Big 12
“It doesn’t do any good to complain about it,” Brown said. “We can’t pick our state up and move west.”
He said that while there will undoubtedly be travel headaches in getting from Morgantown to the rest of the league, West Virginia’s location is a recruiting advantage.
“We don’t recruit against many of our conference foes. We’re able to offer some things to east-coast kids,” Brown said. “Philadelphia, the DMV, Pittsburgh, Columbus, even in to New Jersey. We can offer the Big 12 as a unique league. There’s some things that define it from the SEC, ACC and Big Ten. There can be some advantages to it.”
On special teams coordinator Blake Seiler
Perhaps the most surprising addition to Brown’s coaching staff is Seiler, who spent the duration of his coaching career at alma mater Kansas State before jumping to West Virginia to coach inside linebackers and special teams.
“We felt he would be a great fit for us,” Brown said of the hire. “I know it was an extremely difficult decision for him because of the passion he has for his alma mater and home state.”
Brown said he’s gotten more than he was even hoping for out of Seiler so far.
“He’s a really good teacher on the field,” Brown said. “He’s done a good job leading our team in the special teams phase. I really appreciate how he relates to players. I feel he can be one of the better recruiters in our conference.”
On legalized gambling
Along with his counterparts, Brown was asked about how the increased legalization of sports gambling might create new concerns for college coaches.
Brown said that it was inevitable for legalized sports gambling to happen in the United States. West Virginia is currently the only state in the Big 12 footprint to allow it.
“It’s one of those things that’s going to happen. Any time there’s huge financial implications, it makes sense if the money’s being spent in the right way,” Brown said. “There’s probably illegal sports gambling going on. Bring what’s in the dark into the day.”
Brown said that the school’s compliance department will work to make sure players are aware of the potential impacts of gamblers or bookmakers seeking an edge.
“You just have to educate your players. Speakers, videos, talking multiple times a year,” Brown said. “But it’s something I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about.”
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