Asti: How Neal Brown Should’ve Handled My Question for WVU Fans

Aside from those living under a rock, WVU fans are currently as enraged as they have ever been with Neal Brown. On the heels of another poor showing in another big game, WVU’s head coach gave a very bizarre answer to a very simple question. And as the person who asked the question that got Brown into this mess, I want to offer some of my thoughts on the matter.

Now that the dust and backlash has settled after Neal Brown’s comments during his weekly press conference on Monday, I want to offer my take on how he should have handled the question.

Below is what Brown said in its entirety. Based on what’s on all of the graphics and social media posts, it’s possible you haven’t seen the entire thing.

I asked Brown if he had a message to fans to show up after another disappointment.

“I get that they want to win. But what I would say is – did they have a good time? Did they enjoy it? It was a pretty good atmosphere. I’m assuming they had a pretty good time tailgating, so if they’re in the deal for enjoyment then I would come back. I looked at the weather and it’s going to be nice again,” said Brown.

He then continued. “I get they’re frustrated that we didn’t win. We’ve played a tough schedule. Everybody that’s beat us hasn’t lost. But that’s no excuse, that’s just the truth and the games in our league are going to come down to the fourth quarter and I don’t think this one on Saturday is going to be any different. We need them to help us. I do get their frustration.”

Because people are only using the first part of Neal Brown’s answer to my question, here’s the full response.

If he just said the second part, I highly doubt there’s backlash.

I’ll also add I honestly didn’t plan to stir anything up. I thought it was a simple question. 🤷🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/msR4sbJfHg

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) October 15, 2024

It’s almost as if the two parts of the full response are from two different segments. In reality, that’s his entire response uninterrupted. In all honesty, it appears as if the question caught Brown off-guard and that’s what led to him meandering around before getting to a better answer.

All Brown had to say was the second part and leave it at that. Some rendition of that would’ve resulted in fans likely rollin their eyes at the worst. Fans may not have liked it or trusted that this matchup with a ranked opponent will be any different, but most would’ve just moved on with their day. At the very least, this entire story wouldn’t even be necessary.

Again, look at just this quote and tell me you are as enraged if that’s all he said without the first part. I doubt that’s the case for those being honest.

“I get they’re frustrated that we didn’t win. We’ve played a tough schedule. Everybody that’s beat us hasn’t lost. But that’s no excuse, that’s just the truth and the games in our league are going to come down to the fourth quarter and I don’t think this one on Saturday is going to be any different. We need them to help us. I do get their frustration.”

But of course, Brown didn’t just say the second part. He opened trying to sell fans, most who have experienced watching their beloved Mountaineers enjoy much greater success, on a “fun” atmosphere win or lose. That comment alone comes off out of touch with the fanbase. Mountaineer Nation, especially those who travel several hours to attend games, is never going to have “fun” while losing. It’s just simply never going to happen. And the history of the program has set a standard that does suggest they shouldn’t just be happy with a ceiling of the Duke’s Mayo Bowl or have “fun” during miserable performances.

Should WVU fans expect to ever embark on an Alabama-like dynasty? Definitely not. But they should expect to occasionally contend on a national level. They should.

Look, I think those who have followed my career no matter the outlet or whoever I’m covering know I’m always going to be honest and tell it like it is.

To that end, anyone saying WVU football has no shot at contending regardless whoever the coach is etc is just wrong. West…

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) October 13, 2024

The current landscape also says West Virginia should be able to be better off than the program appears. There’s a more defined path to national contention now and it’s not as if the current tip 25 is full of blue bloods and teams from big markets. If that were the case, then maybe those arguing life can’t be better would have a point. It’s not even close to reality.

Iowa State, the most recent ranked team to beat WVU and spoil the fun of a big game atmosphere, is 6-0 for the first time since 1938. It’s not as if the Cyclones are rolling in cash in comparison or are some program with a greater history than West Virginia. Indiana in the Big Ten is another example. Even Pitt hasn’t been unbeaten at this point in a season since 1982.

Brown will bring up, as he alluded to in his response, WVU has endured a tough schedule so far. And he is right. Most teams haven’t played three ranked teams and WVU will once again end up with 11 Power Four opponents, which is also one more than most.

However, fans don’t want to hear that anymore, especially not in year six with only a couple minor bowl wins on your resume. For the most part, they get that aspect. Maybe IF West Virginia was at least more competitive against Penn State and Iowa State AND held on against Pitt in a game they had won in the final minutes, then the vibe would be better even if everything else was the same. Maybe my question wouldn’t have needed to be asked.

Brown just needs to win, and he needs a statement win to get fans bought in again. A win over Kansas State would be that, and would keep the Mountaineers very much in the thick of the conference race. Because as much as we can all debate what Brown said or should’ve said all day, the Big 12 is so wide open with everyone beating up on each other that literally anything can happen.

Up next for Brown and the Mountaineers is an equally tough challenge in another night game against a ranked opponent with a quality defense. A win over Kansas State won’t make up for past opportunities squandered, but would do wonders to keep excitement alive and allow Brown to fans that can in fact beat a truly quality team, something he did accomplish at Troy.

West Virginia 3-3 (2-1, Big 12) and Kansas State 5-1 (2-1, Big 12) are scheduled to kickoff from Milan Puskar Stadium at 7:30 pm ET. The game will air nationally on Fox.

On Sunday, both DraftKings and FanDuel released their odds for the next slate of college football games and have the Mountaineers as a 2.5-point underdog at home to Kansas State.

For a related story, Neal Brown elaborated on WVU’s quarterback situation and what could lead to a change.