MAILBAG: Backyard Brawl, Neal Brown, Gordon Gee, Secondary Questions + More

Answering this week's questions from the fans.

From @ChrisCarlsonCT:

Q: Tough to tell against Duquesne but was WVU offense better when Chad started calling plays in 2nd half? Will HCNB call plays against Pitt?

A: Yes, Neal will call plays against Pitt. It was just a slow start. After the weather delay, the offense was clicking on all cylinders. 

From @rosscfh:

Q: God forbid we lose, but if we do, is this the last we see of Brown?

A:  No. I know fans will be done, but there's zero chance he gets canned unless they lose by a million. I can't remember the last time WVU fired a coach in-season and I don't expect they do it after three games.

From @chaneybrad:

Q: Where does Pitt's defense rank among the rest of the teams on our schedule? I get the sense it's not as good as last year, but I haven't paid that much attention.

A: Definitely not one of the better units, that's for sure. Cincy just ran for 216 on them and their run fits were atrocious. It's not the worst defense they'll face, but it is nowhere near the unit they had last year.

From @lafferty_nick:

Q: Is Tuddy Huddy Clement for real or was that a one-off performance and we never hear from him again as a Mountaineer?

A: Good question. No, I actually think there's something there with Clement. Obviously, he's not going to do what he did last week every week, but he'll have a role. He was someone that was probably going to end up being a scholarship player anyway. He's got a bright future ahead of him. 

From @Huddleston1138:

Q: Who has more snaps against Pitt: Jahiem White or Hudson Clement?

A: I'm going to have to lean toward Clement here. But a great question. I imagine the bulk of the workload will be handled by CJ Donaldson with Justin Johnson Jr. and Jaylen Anderson sprinkled in. White may get a couple of snaps, but I don't anticipate it being much more than that. WVU needs consistency at receiver and Clement has earned the opportunity.

From @wvufan2023:

Q: Do you think anything needs to change from last week for us to win this week?

A: A better start, for one. You can't come out that discombobulated against another Power Five opponent and think you're going to have a chance to win the game. But defensively, they've got to get the secondary fixed. The problem is, I don't see it looking much different on Saturday. 

From @mpscxh752g:

Q: Who will be unavailable for Saturday?

A: Montre Miller is out. Oliver Straw and Traylon Ray are probably questionable. Receivers EJ Horton and Devin Carter should be good to go. We'll have a better idea Thursday night.

From @ChrisCmatheny74:

Q: Do you get a sense that Brown might make coaching changes if the defensive secondary continues to struggle? With his job on the line, you would think he would consider it. Our secondary has been a weak spot for what seems like years.

A: Could he make changes? Sure. Will it happen during the middle of the season? Highly unlikely. It's a pivotal year for him and he knows it. Making any big changes could worsen things, believe it or not. He'll roll with the staff he has until the end of the year and then re-evaluate.

From @Simmonswv:

Q: Why do the DBs play 8 to 10 yards off the WRs when the 1st down sticks are 5 or 6 yards to get? Also, why do we rush 3 in 3rd and 15 to give QB forever to make a play?

A:  It depends on the coverage they are playing. They have more speed in the secondary than they've had in years past, but aren't as sound technically to be able to play press man consistently. And as far as rushing three, they need to drop as many into coverage as possible when you have issues in the back end. You don't want to bring the house and put those corners on an island. I do get what you're saying though. There are some instances where they play too soft in zone coverage.

From @WVinSC487:

Q: Will we fix the secondary? Why do Spitt fans crave s*** in their diets? Is it some kind of mineral or vitamin deficiency?

A: It won't be fixed. You just have to hope they've made some improvements. And for the second question, um....I'm not sure I know how to answer that haha.

From @Mountaineers_:

Q: Why is Neal Brown still coaching at WVU? Why is Gorgon Gee still the President when so many want him gone? Gee and this BOG have killed WVU athletics. They are also destroying WVU piece by piece while Gee and others enrich themselves. Why?

A: It's a high buyout for Neal, first of all. Secondly, Wren was brought in late and didn't have a true idea as to where the program was under his leadership. You can't make a decision on a whim. It makes sense for him to take this year to evaluate and get his plan in order if a change were to be made. Plus, the second he makes a coaching change is the second the clock starts on his job as well. In terms of Gee, I'll be honest, I'm not really sure what's going on with that whole situation. Very few do. We'll see a change at some point, but when that will take place is hard to tell.

From @JordanWVU07:

Q: Why do Pitt and their fans eat s***? Also, how important is this game for the future of the football team and Neal Brown?

A: Man, you guys like asking that question. Hey, at least it gives me a good laugh though. It's an important game, don't get me wrong. But it's not the end all be all like everyone thinks. There are still nine games left on the schedule after this. That's a lot of football. The one thing he can't afford to have to happen is lose this game in embarrassing fashion.

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