Neal Brown Opens Up About Complexities in Managing NIL, WVU’s Current Situation

There’s no denying players being compensated for their name, image and likeness has significant impacted college sports. There’s also no denying the programs who have adapted to the advent of NIL have flourished while others more hesitant have faced issues.

While speaking with the media at the Big 12 Media Days, WVU head coach Neal Brown opened up about how he’s managed NIL in terms of recruiting and retaining players.

“I wish it was as simple as just a local concept, right? I think you’ve got to think big picture on this. From an NIL standpoint, from a head coaching perspective, it’s money in and money out,” said Brown.

“And we’re tasked with a lot of the money coming in, and so I’ve grown in that realm of how to do it and how to be productive in it. And also I think it’s about figuring out what people are — I’m talking about donors and supporters of your program — who’s wanting to help in what areas. There’s some that are really interested in NIL. There are some really interested in facilities,” he explained.

Brown was able to retain most of WVU’s key contributors from 2023 thanks to the school’s NIL collective Country Roads Trust.

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“And you’ve got to figure out which people to go to. And that takes a little bit of time. And that takes — but there’s definitely a fundraising piece to the NIL that I don’t know if anybody’s arrived at it but we feel like we’re in a better rhythm. For your players, these are opportunities like everything you do in life is about relationships.”

On Wednesday in Las Vegas, Brown also talked about embracing being an underdog once again after WVU clocked in at No. 7 in the Big 12 preseason media poll.

“We’re coming off 9-4 and I look at some of the preseason Top 25s and we’re not in it.” said Brown on Wednesday at Big 12 Media Days. “We’re picked seventh in the league. We’re not in some of these preseason Top 25s. Garrett Greene is not getting talked about as much as some others. His production speaks for itself. Wyatt Milum is as good as any left tackle in the country. We could go on and on. I think our players are being underrated as well.”

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Brown now looks to continue his team’s climb as West Virginia hopes to move from nine wins to double digits and maybe even securing the program’s first Big 12 title and an appearance in the College Football Playoff.

Only time will tell if WVU achieves those lofty goals, but keeping 2023’s stars and adding a few other notable pierces through the transfer portal should help the Mountaineers have another successful season.