Neal Brown Explains What New College Football Playoff Format Means for West Virginia

The 2024 season marks a new era in college football, and it’s one WVU head coach Neal Brown is excited for. Brown touched on this and why the new College Football Playoff format provides a clear path for a program like West Virginia.

“So 12 are getting in and you’re probably looking anywhere from 20 to 25 that are probably alive for those spots heading into the middle of November, which has never been the case,” said Brown while appearing on “the Oklahoma Breakdown” podcast with hosts Gabe Ikard and Teddy Lehman.

Brown feels more playoff teams will lead to more excitement towards the end of the season, but he also knows it offers easier access to the Mountaineers.

“And it gives access. We have two guaranteed spots in the Big 12, and depending on how the league goes, we could have three or upwards of four that are getting in the playoff. And so it definitely adds another dimension. But I think that’ something that’s not getting talked about is just access. It gives real accessibility to that playoff,” explained Brown about his mindset with this playoff format.

New episode has an awesome interview with @NealBrown_WVU!

He believes the 12 team College Football Playoff is going to lead to a more exciting end to the regular season: pic.twitter.com/HWmqh7oimK

— The Oklahoma Breakdown with Ikard and Lehman (@OK_Breakdown) July 30, 2024

Brown also detailed why he truly believes the new rules of the College Football Playoff create a better chance for the West Virginia Mountaineers to compete for a national championship.

“And in the playoffs, it’s no different than March Madness, no different than college baseball where we see teams go on runs at the end of the year. Once you’re in the tournament, anything can happen. Because you don’t have to be the best team overall, you just got to be better that night.”

With all of that said, Neal Brown went from the hot seat to earning a contract extension thanks to a successful 2023 season, but how much job security does he actually have now?

While Brown is no longer at the top of the odds for the coach most likely to be fired first, his name still appears on the list. The betting odds for Brown as the first to be let go currently stand at 14/1, according to BetOnline.

Where Does Neal Brown Fall on List of Coaches Most Likely to Be Fired?

For those who might be confused why Brown would still appear on lists like this after receiving a contract extension, his new deal would make it easier for West Virginia to fire him.

Brown’s new deal reduces his salary over the next three years by a total of $400,000. To break this down further, Brown will make $4 million annually in each of the next two seasons before a jump to $4.3 million in 2026 and $4.4 for 2027, the extra year added. Prior to this extension, Brown was in line to make $4.1 million in 2024, $4.2 million in 2025, $4.4 million in 2026 and would have not had a contact at all in 2027.

In addition to a decrease in his salary, Brown’s buyout, the most important aspect of a contract to a program, has also been slashed from 100% to 75% if he is fired. This means WVU will now owe Brown less than it would have in his old deal if he is let go at any point.

So while WVU fans may believe the Mountaineers can contend in the new Big 12 and the atmosphere around the program has been positive throughout the offseason, a disappointing start in the fall could put the future of Brown’s job in doubt all over again.

“I am pleased with the progress I’ve seen in our football program since arriving last year,” said WVU director of athletics Wren Baker when news about Brown’s contract extension broke in March.

“I believe this contract amendment allows us to continue to build on our momentum as we begin our first year in the new and expanded Big 12 Conference. I’m appreciative of the effort Coach Brown and his staff put into developing the young people in our program both on and off the field.”

For a related story, Mike Asti explains why extending Neal Brown assists the WVU program.