West Virginia had a successful 2023 season with a 9-4 record culminating in a 30-10 victory over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. However, that was just one of two winning seasons over six years for head coach Neal Brown, who was fired after a 6-6 season in 2024. Brown was just the Mountaineers’ second head football coach since joining the Big 12 in 2012 and becoming the West Virginia head football coach could be one of the more appealing jobs in the country. Brown led Troy to three straight double-digit win seasons and bowl game victories before being hired by the Mountaineers, so will West Virginia seek another proven head coach, or go with an up-and-coming coordinator looking for a shot to lead a program? If you love the Mountaineers, or just want to know who will call the shots for West Virginia football in the future, be sure to see what the proven team of insiders are saying at EerSports, the 247Sports affiliate that covers West Virginia.

The EerSports insiders are providing on-the-ground updates on every development surrounding Neal’s departure and the future of the West Virginia football program, including insights from Chris Anderson and Mike Casazza, who have deep-rooted ties inside and around the West Virginia community. Get all the inside scoop on the football program, plus VIP intel on WVU football, basketball, recruiting and more. Plus get access to the Country Roads Confidential premium message board where you can connect with other West Virginia fans and insiders. 

And right now, EerSports is offering 75% off annual subscriptions*, so now is the time to sign up. The team at EerSports already has a list out of several potential candidates and there are some surprising names on the list. Head to EerSports now to see them all.

Top West Virginia football coach candidates

One name the staff has identified as a potential target is Jacksonville State head coach Rich Rodriguez. This will be a recognizable name for Mountaineers fans as Rodriguez oversaw arguably the most memorable time in program history, as he went 60-26 over seven years before becoming the head football coach at Michigan. The Mountaineers were a preseason top-five team in 2006 and 2007, his final two years at the school, with the electrifying Pat White at quarterback. In the 2005 season, he coached West Virginia to a 38-35 win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

Rodriguez was fired after three years at Michigan, but has remained in college football. He’s in his second season at Jacksonville State and has led the program to back-to-back winning seasons, including a bowl victory in a 9-4 season last year. Rodriguez could excite alumni who saw his teams succeed and is a reunion to monitor during the head coaching cycle. See more candidates at EerSports.

How to get insider WVU coaching staff search updates 

The rest of the list includes a former NFL head coach along with multiple shocking names who have won big in college football. You can only see who they are at EerSports.

Who are the top candidates in the West Virginia football coaching search, and which shocking names could be in the mix? Go to EerSports to see their West Virginia coaching hot board and more, all from a team of West Virginia insiders, and find out. 

And reminder, EerSports is offering 75% off an annual VIP membership as a coaching search special, so subscribe now before it’s too late.

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