West Virginia gives coach Neal Brown extension
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Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior Writer
West Virginia has extended the contract of football coach Neal Brown through 2027.
Brown had been under contract through the 2026 season. He led West Virginia to a 9-4 record in 2023, his best at the school by three wins. West Virginia was picked last in the Big 12 preseason media poll, and Brown entered the season facing significant pressure to improve. The Mountaineers started 4-1 before losing at Houston on a Hail Mary in the final seconds.
“I am pleased with the progress I’ve seen in our football program since arriving last year,” athletic director Wren Baker said in a statement. “I believe this contract amendment allows us to continue to build on our momentum as we begin our first year in the new and expanded Big 12 Conference. I’m appreciative of the effort Coach Brown and his staff put into developing the young people in our program both on and off the field.”
Brown earned $4 million in 2023 and had been set to earn $4.1 million in 2024, according to the previous contract. His salary will slightly decrease in the new deal, as he will earn $4 million in 2024 and 2025, and then $4.3 million in 2026, sources told ESPN. He elected to forgo increases to his own salary so West Virginia could invest more in his coaching staff, a major priority for Brown and for the school.
“My first priority was retaining and rewarding our assistant coaches and support staff who have played such a critical role in our success,” Brown said in a statement. “I appreciate Wren’s support on that front as well as his continued commitment to me and what we are building. We share a common vision for this program and that alignment is critical to our continued success. There are great things ahead, and I can’t wait to see our incredible fans back in Milan Puskar Stadium on August 31.”
The Mountaineers finished with wins in five of their final six games, including a 30-10 victory against North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Brown, 43, is 31-29 at WVU with bowl appearances in three of the past four years. He’s 66-45 overall as a college coach.
According to the new contract, Brown will be owed 75% of his remaining salary if fired any time during the term, sources said. His buyout to West Virginia if he leaves for another job drops from 25% of his remaining salary in 2024 and 12.5% of his remaining salary in 2025 to 10% if he exits at any point during the term.
The San Diego Padres placed right-hander Michael King on the 15-day injured list Thursday because of left knee inflammation.
King (4-2, 2.81 ERA) had just come off the IL on Saturday, allowing two runs in as many innings of a no-decision against the Boston Red Sox.
It was his first start since May 18 as he dealt with shoulder inflammation.
Now, he’s back on the IL with a knee issue in a move retroactive to Monday.
It’s a setback for a red-hot Padres team, who will carry a five-game winning streak into a weekend showdown against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. First-place San Diego is one game ahead of L.A. in the NL West.
King had been scheduled to start the series opener Friday.
In the corresponding roster move, the Padres recalled right-hander Randy Vásquez from Triple-A El Paso.
While the Milwaukee Brewers keep on rolling, another Wisconsin business is stocking up on beef and buns.
For the third time in its history, George Webb Restaurants will make good on its promise of giving away free hamburgers as part of a longstanding promotion to celebrate the Brewers winning 12 consecutive games.
The free burger giveaway will be held Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. CT at all 23 of the restaurant’s locations throughout Wisconsin. Vouchers for a burger at a later date will be available at all locations starting Friday.
“Hungry fans are welcome to stop by any location for a free, juicy burger and some camaraderie with fellow baseball fans,” the restaurant said on its website.
Starting way back in the 1940s, when Milwaukee was home to the minor league Brewers of the old American Association, George Webb promised free burgers if the local baseball team won 17 consecutive games.
The promotion dropped to 13 games by the time the Braves made Milwaukee a big league city in 1953, but that franchise couldn’t make it happen before departing for Atlanta in 1966.
George Webb changed the promotion to 12 games when the Brewers moved from Seattle in 1970. In 1987, the Brewers opened the season with 13 wins in a row, and more than 170,000 burgers were given away to mark the occasion.
The Brewers accomplished the feat a second time in 2018, closing the regular season with eight victories followed by four playoff wins. That streak led to 90,000 free burgers being given away in addition to 100,000 redeemable vouchers.
Prior to reaching the magic mark on Wednesday, the Brewers had come close on a few occasions, including an 11-game winning streak earlier this season.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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