Sometimes, the sad truth is that a job might not be the right fit for someone, or that circumstances just don't line up to make things work out.
Few will argue that this winter's coaching change for West Virginia football wasn't likely needed -- typically, if a football program is in good shape, the person in charge of the program will be back around for the next season (unless a better job offer comes along).
So when Neal Brown was handed his pink slip in December after a six-season tenure in Morgantown and former WVU Head Coach Rich Rodriguez was hired to helm the program for a second tenure after a successful stint at Jacksonville State, it was clear that it was being done because change was needed.
But that doesn't always mean you were dealing with a "bad" coach, just one who wasn't the right fit at the time.
Amidst media questions and opinions shared from returning players over the past week regarding contrasts between the Neal Brown era and the Rich Rodriguez era at WVU, Rodriguez kindly asked reporters to try and respectfully refrain from burdening the players with questions on the topic.
While on that subject, he also took the time to make it quite clear that despite any potential differences between his style of coaching and how Brown ran the program or comparisons to be made, he believes that Neal Brown is a talented man on the sidelines that doesn't deserve to be talked down upon by the fanbase.
"Neal Brown is a good football coach...Neal didn't get to this level not being a good football coach," Rodriguez said.
WVU HC Rich Rodriguez on his predecessor and comparisons between the coaching staff:
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) April 1, 2025
"Neal Brown is a good football coach...Neal didn't get to this level not being a good football coach."
It's a classy move by Rodriguez that should be applauded, and many would agree he's not wrong by any stretch in his assesment.
Rodriguez also previously discussed aspects of the Neal Brown era, such as the 2024 season finale against Texas Tech, that he didn't find as palatable. The Mountaineers are set to wrap up spring practice this Saturday, April 5th, with the 2025 Gold-Blue Showcase at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown.