‘Keep Neal Brown’ Billboards Counter Initial Message Around Morgantown

There’s only one answer to the “Fire Neal Brown” billboards for those supporting the WVU head coach – counter billboards. Well, that’s at least the answer another group has come up with.

The company “MicroOutdoor” is responsible for the new “Keep Neal Brown” graphic on billboards that are up in protest of the ones with the opposite message around Morgantown.

Russ Bonasso, the owner of the company, spoke to the WVU student newspaper The Daily Athenaeum about why he decided to spread his message and buy the new billboards.

“Well, we had seen the ‘Fire Neal Brown’ billboards, and I was moved to make a statement concerning how I and many other people, I think, feel,” Bonasso told the DA.

He continued, making it clear he wanted those who support Brown to be represented. “I think that there are two sides to every story, and my side is pro-Neal Brown. I didn’t want one side to be represented and the other side not,” said Bonasso.

MicroOutdoor is displaying graphics on eight billboards across Morgantown that read “Keep Neal Brown.”

“I think there are two sides to every story, and my side is pro-Neal Brown,” MicroOutdoor owner Russ Bonasso said.https://t.co/36jvAOWbfF

— The Daily Athenaeum (@DailyAthenaeum) October 30, 2024

“I didn’t know or still don’t know if somebody will come and say, ‘We’d like to put another message up that is pro-Neal Brown,’ but I wasn’t gonna wait for that.”

And in addition to wanting to be fair to both sides, Bonasso voiced his concern for Brown’s family in his conversation with the publication.

“How does that make Neal Brown feel? How does that make his wife and family feel? How does it make the current players feel, or anybody he may be trying to recruit feel? And what does it say overall about we as fans here in West Virginia and across the country, if not the world,” Bonasso said.

The “Keep Neal Brown” billboards are spread across eight locations, including Star City, Sabraton, near Easton Hill, Van Voorhis Road and Route 705, making them more present than the “Fire Neal Brown” billboards.

It’s no secret there are plenty of WVU fans who want Brown fired. However, it’s one thing to voice displeasure on social media, but it’s another to actually put your money where your mouth is on the topic. And now the ad about firing Brown on billboards can be added to a website dedicated to the goal of pressuring WVU to remove Brown.

Neal Brown. WVU at Virginia Tech on Sept. 22, 2022. (Mitchell Northam / WV Sports Now)

WVU fans started a website “FireNealBrown.org” dedicated to removing Brown as head coach.

The site features Brown’s record and negative facts about his tenure at WVU while also allowing people to donate money to the Mountaineer Athletic Club with the hope it goes towards paying Brown’s buyout.

Earlier this week, Brown made the decision to fire defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley. The Mountaineers currently sit at 4-4 (3-2, Big 12) during their final bye week of the season. Regardless of the roller coaster ride of the 2024 seasons, fans also point to Brown’s 35-33 overall record at WVU and his 3-17 mark against ranked opponents as why they want the program to turn the page with Brown in his sixth year in West Virginia.

For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti clears up any confusion about WVU firing Jordan Lesley.