Details emerging of Neal Brown’s contract extension

On Tuesday it was announced that West Virginia football head coach Neal Brown would be receiving a contract extension through the 2027 season.

Brown’s original contract was set to expire after the 2026 season, but the new extension gives him an extra season in Morgantown.

WV Metro News’ Hoppy Kercheval detailed many factors of Brown’s extension. He said that Brown will be foregoing $400,000 over three years and instead use it to reinvest in the program such as improve staff salaries.

Kercheval also noted a change in buyout percentages. If Brown is fired on or before Dec. 31, the University will be required to pay 100% of his remaining salary, 85% if he is fired in 2025 and 75% if he is fired after that.

If Brown were to leave WVU before Dec. 31 he would have to pay the University 25% of his salary, 12.5% in 2025 and 10% after that, Kercheval said.

Brown will be paid $4 million in 2024, $4 million in 2025, $4.3 million in 2026 and $4.4 million in 2027 according to multiple sources. His original contract had him set to be paid $4.1 million in 2024, $4.2 million in 2025 and $4.4 million in 2026, he earned $4.1 million in 2023.

Brown is 31-29 in his time at WVU, including 20-24 in Big 12 play. Coming off his most successful season going 9-4 and winning a Bowl game over North Carolina, the 43-year-old gets an extra year added to his contract, while also restructuring it in favor of the University, in hopes of improving the program overall.