Neal Brown is out at West Virginia after six seasons. Brown posted a 37-35 record and managed more than six wins only once during his tenure. This season began with hopes of contending in the Big 12 but ended in disappointment, as the Mountaineers finished 6-6, including losses to Penn State and Pitt. Despite recent struggles, the West Virginia job is expected to attract plenty of interest from potential candidates.
Nick Saban (Former Alabama Head Coach) – He’s not going to say yes, but make him say no. He’s from West Virginia and graduated from high school less than 30 minutes from Morgantown. Nick Saban seems content with his role on College Gameday each week and has no interest in returning to coaching. However, even if it were only for three or four years, it would be worth asking. If he somehow says yes, it would be an incredible outcome, but we all know he’ll likely say no. He would at least be able to build an infrastructure for success for the next coach.
Jimbo Fisher (Former Texas A&M and Florida State Head Coach) – Jimbo Fisher is a name likely to surface in connection with the West Virginia job. A West Virginia native, Fisher attended Salem University, just an hour from Morgantown. With a BCS National Championship at Florida State and a career record of 128-48, Fisher’s résumé is impressive. However, his tenure at Texas A&M ended on a sour note, culminating in the largest buyout in college football history. At 59 years old, Fisher still has plenty of coaching years ahead and could view West Virginia as a lower-pressure environment and a chance to rebuild his career. His experience and success could help return the Mountaineers to Big 12 contention.
Andy Kotelnicki (Penn State Offensive Coordinator) – Andy Kotelnicki’s name will likely be mentioned for nearly every major job this offseason. As a proven offensive coordinator, he played a key role in rebuilding Kansas and injecting life into Penn State’s offense. West Virginia experienced his offensive prowess firsthand when his unit scored 34 points in the season opener. Rumors suggest Kotelnicki may be in line for an initial interview with West Virginia. If he lands the job, it raises an intriguing question: could we see a resurgence of the dynamic Geno Smith/Pat White-style offense in Morgantown?
Barry Odom (UNLV Head Coach) – Barry Odom isn’t getting enough recognition for putting UNLV into a position where they could potentially reach the College Football Playoff. With a win over Boise State this weekend, UNLV would punch their ticket to the playoffs. Odom, who went 25-25 at Missouri, has revitalized his career by winning 19 games in his first two seasons with the Rebels. Considering UNLV has only made four bowl games in their history, the possibility of their fifth being a playoff appearance is remarkable. Could West Virginia consider Odom as a candidate? His success at turning programs around makes him an intriguing option.
Rich Rodriguez (Jacksonville State Head Coach) – Run it back? Rich Rodriguez was one of West Virginia’s most successful head coaches, leading the program to three straight 10 win seasons from 2005 to 2007. While his departure left a sour taste with the fan base, time heals all wounds or so they say. Rodriguez has spent the past three seasons at Jacksonville State, winning 26 games and securing at least eight victories each year. At 61 years old, he still has plenty of coaching years left in him. The question remains: would either party be interested in a reunion?
Glenn Schumann (Georgia Defensive Coordinator) – Glenn Schumann has spent his entire career at either Alabama or Georgia, building a strong relationship with Kirby Smart that began when he was a graduate assistant at Alabama. Schumann has played a key role in leading Georgia’s defenses to be among the best in the nation year after year, helping the Bulldogs win National Titles in 2021 and 2022. As a young, up and coming coordinator, Schumann offers plenty of promise. If West Virginia is seeking a defensive minded head coach, he could be a strong option.
Clayton White (South Carolina Defensive Coordinator) – Clayton White took over as the South Carolina defensive coordinator before the 2021 season. White’s defense ranked 88th in scoring in 2022, 66th in 2023, and now 14th in 2024. South Carolina finished third in the nation in sacks with 40, while West Virginia was 91st with only 20. West Virginia could use a coach with a strong defensive background, and White has proven he can help build defenses that turn the ball over and get after the quarterback. This would be an off-the-wall hire but possibly one that would pay off.
Pete Golding (Ole Miss Defensive Coordinator) – Pete Golding helped turn around the Ole Miss defense. The perception of Ole Miss used to be a team that had to outscore opponents. Ole Miss has one of the best defenses in the country this year. Golding’s defenses are allowing just 14 points per game. Ole Miss also leads the nation in sacks with 52 while finishing second in rushing yards allowed per game. Golding also comes from the Nick Saban coaching tree, which might interest the West Virginia administration. Could we see Golding get his first opportunity to run his own program?
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