West Virginia rewards football coach Neal Brown with 1-year contract extension through 2027

West Virginia and coach Neal Brown agreed to terms on a one-year contract extension aimed to keep him at the school through 2027. WVU athletic director Wren Baker announced the extension Tuesday morning.

WVU gave Brown the extension after the Mountaineers finished 9-4 last season, including a 6-3 record in the Big 12 and victories against long-time rival Pitt and North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Brown has compiled a 31-29 record at WVU since he was hired prior to the 2019 season.

“I am pleased with the progress I’ve seen in our football program since arriving last year,” Baker said in a statement. “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.”

Brown will earn $4 million in 2024 and 2025 and $4.3 million in 2026, according to ESPN.com. He was set to earn $4.1 million this season, ESPN.com reported, but Brown wanted more money for his assistants to keep his staff intact.

“My first priority was retaining and rewarding our assistant coaches and support staff who have played such a critical role in our success,” Brown said in a statement. “I appreciate Wren’s support on that front as well as his continued commitment to me and what we are building.

“We share a common vision for this program and that alignment is critical to our continued success. There are great things ahead, and I can’t wait to see our incredible fans back in Milan Puskar Stadium on Aug. 31.”

West Virginia opens the 2024 season at home against Penn State. It will be the Nittany Lions’ first game in Morgantown, W.Va., since 1992.

Spring football drills begin March 25 and the annual Gold-Blue Spring Game will be held April 27.