How Did Neal Brown Help WVU Football Retain His 2025 Recruits?

Even in the midst of so much uncertainty, the remaining WVU football staff managed to experience a successful Early National Signing Day. But how did they pull it off under such trying circumstances and only a few days after West Virginia fired its head coach. Well, it’s possible their former boss and the man the program just fired actually offered an assist.

During his first public interview since being fired by WVU, Neal Brown told West Virginia MetroNews’ Hoppy Kercheval that he actually helped convince recruits to stay committed to the school that just fired him. So in one final classy gesture, Brown joined those remaining on the WVU staff by calling and texting high school players to lock them up and ensure they sign with the Mountaineers despite everything going on.

So instead of trying to persuade players he recruited to stay true to him and join him at his next school, Brown did work for West Virginia one final time.

Former WVU head coach Neal Brown and Edge recruit Wilnerson Telemaque

WV Sports Now was even able to talk to one of those 2025 recruits about why he decided to sign when many expected he would flip elsewhere.

“I just took time away for myself to clear my head, talked to people closest to me. I feel like I like Morgantown as a place despite everything [going on], so I chose to sign,” said Pennsylvania wide receiver prospect Jalil Hall when asked about his decision to sign with WVU following his team’s state title win on Thursday night.

Former WVU head coach Neal Brown with a recruit. (WVSN photo by Kelsie LeRose)

And at the end of the day, no matter what anyone may think of Brown as a coach, he didn’t have to help WVU in any way after being fired. The proof of the effort to keep the 2025 as intact as possible was in the success of the Early National Signing Day on Wednesday.

Brown also said he instructed his 2024 Mountaineers to play in the bowl game and finish the season. He noted that it’s an opportunity for them to play a game free of the constant speculation and noise about his future.

For a related story, Neal Brown feels the explications of WVU football fans didn’t match the program’s finances during his tenure.