Former WVU head coach Neal Brown finalizes agreement to fill Group of 5 vacancy

One year and one day after being fired by WVU football after a six-year tenure with the program, former Mountaineers head coach Neal Brown is set to once again be handed control of an FBS team. Rumors heated up on Tuesday that Brown was a name to watch as the North Texas Mean Green looked to fill the vacancy left as their current head coach Eric Morris is set to take the opening at Oklahoma State, and just hours later, it was reported that Brown would be taking the job. North Texas is currently 11-1 and set to play this weekend for the American Conference Championship and a potential College Football Playoff bid.

"Brown’s vast head coaching experience appealed to the North Texas brass. His overall track record of success indicates an ability to keep North Texas’ momentum going," said ESPN's Pete Thamel regarding the hire.

Brown will return to the Group of 5 level, where he had much more success as a head coach than he did during his stint with the Mountaineers. Brown managed just a 37-35 overall record and a 25-28 record in Big 12 play while with West Virginia, but he only landed that gig due to his success in the Sun Belt Conference leading the Troy Trojans. At Troy, Brown recorded three consecutive seasons with 10-or-more wins, and had a 3-0 bowl record. Now, he'll have the chance to return to that level and rehabilitate his reputation following a mediorce run in Morgantown.

Brown has spent the last season active in the coaching industry, as he served as special assistant to head coach Steve Sarkisian of the Texas Longhorns this season, as Texas has fought their way to a 9-3 season in the SEC. Expect Brown's new gig to also provide a slight financial boon to the Mountaineers as well, as his new contract at North Texas will offset his buyout that West Virginia is still paying – though the exact details of the deal are not yet known.