South Carolina football: Neal Brown a possible replacement for Gamecocks
By Jacob Elsey
A look at one name not being mentioned in South Carolina football’s head coaching search.
South Carolina’s head coaching search began about three weeks ago, following the ousting of then leader Will Muschamp on November 15th. Since, there have been a number of names that have been linked to the opening.
When the original odds were released on who would be roaming the sidelines in Columbia next season, we saw coaches like Billy Napier, Shane Beamer, Hugh Freeze, Jamey Chadwell, Steve Sarkisian, Joe Brady, and even rival offensive coordinator Tony Elliott mentioned as possible replacements for Muschamp.
While things have heated and cooled for a number of those candidates, there’s been one name that few are talking about as a legitimate contender, though he could be higher up on the list than most believe.
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown has been loosely connected with the opening at South Carolina, though he’s denied any interest. Here’s what he had to say in a press conference when asked about the position earlier this week.
"“I really don’t go about addressing every rumor and everything that’s out there because I think you’ll spin yourself in a web, because I don’t think there’s any way you can keep up. But pretty simple — I’m not a candidate there.”"
While it’s easy to accept the denial as truth, it’s even easier to see why he’d want to keep any interest on the low down, as he’s got a team trying to finish out the remainder of its 2020 season, as well as a recruiting class that he’s trying to hold together for next year.
And while most of the noise surrounding the coaching search has revolved around Oklahoma assistant Shane Beamer, those close to the Gamecock program have stated that Beamer’s Big XII counterpart is drawing some serious interest, too, with the school hoping to schedule an interview.
Brown is in his second season with West Virginia, having posted a 10-10 record. This year, he’s got the Mountaineers sitting at 5-3, featuring the conference’s second ranked offense, as well as the league’s top scoring defense. The team has at least one player among the Big XII’s top three passers, rushers, and receivers.
Prior to his time in Morgantown, Brown led Troy to three straight 10-win seasons, and three consecutive bowl victories. In 2016, his Trojans nearly upset eventual national champion Clemson, before going on to take down LSU and Nebraska over the next two seasons.
In six seasons as a head coach, Brown has posted an overall mark of 45-26. That experience has him firmly in the mix, and if selected, could be the reasoning for his winning the race over Beamer, who has never been a head coach at any level.
Brown’s SEC experience doesn’t hurt either, as he both played and coached at SEC East rival Kentucky (OC/QB coach).
Time will tell which way the South Carolina administration decides to go, but one thing is for certain, Neal Brown has a chance to land the job if he wants it. The Gamecocks are hoping to have the coaching search wrapped up by mid December, looking to have a candidate in place in just a few short weeks.