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West Virginia

West Virginia president has 'not given up' on Neal Brown amid AD departure, no decision imminent

Alex Weberby:Alex Weber•11/14/22
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Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images

West Virginia is in the hunt for a new athletic director after letting go of former AD Shane Lyons on Monday morning. With the massive change occurring at the leadership position for the school’s athletic department, school president Gordon Gee says they won’t consider changes with the football program and Neal Brown before the season is over.

As part of his statement regarding the Lyons firing, Gee added this tidbit on Brown and the football program:

“We are supporting Coach Neal Brown and our team as we complete our season over the next few weeks,” Gee said. “We are aware there are some deficiencies, but we have not given up on the coach and the team, and they have not given up on each other. The evaluation of the football program will be the first task of our new athletic director and no changes will be made until that review has been completed.”

So Coach Brown and staff will at least be in place until the end of the season with all the turmoil at the top. Though, his job is far from secure given the state of the football program and the current losing record this season. Fans are certainly looking forward to a potential change.

More from Gordon Gee on AD firing

For more statements from West Virginia president Gordon Gee on his decision Monday morning to let Shane Lyons go, read below:

“I deeply appreciate Shane’s leadership over the past eight years and I wish him well,” Gee said. “But with the ever-changing landscape of intercollegiate athletics, I believe this is an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to our program.”

Gee also offered words of encouragement to the man picked as the interim, Rob Alsop, who beforehand served as vice president for strategic initiatives.

“I am confident that Rob will lead and assist our coaches, student-athletes and staff during this turning point,” Gee said. “I also know that he will lay the pathways necessary for a new athletic director to make a seamless transition into the role.”