Troy legend: Neal Brown ‘will be successful wherever he wants to be’

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Larry Blakeney was the face of Troy football for a quarter-century, lifting the program from Division II to the I-AA playoffs and finally into the FBS.

One of the best personnel decisions he made came in 2006 when he hired a young assistant, Neal Brown, to coach receivers. Within two seasons, Brown became Troy’s offensive coordinator, playing a huge part in the Trojans winning four consecutive Sun Belt Conference crowns. Then he was off to grow his career as the play-caller at Texas Tech and Kentucky.

Larry Blakeney

When Blakeney retired in 2014, he advocated for Brown to return as head coach.

“He’s one of my all-time favorites,” Blakeney said Friday after West Virginia offered its head coaching position to Brown. “He stood up and made a name for himself.”

“He’s a guy that will be successful wherever he wants to be.” — Troy Hall-of-Fame coach Larry Blakeney on Neal Brown

Brown compiled a 35-16 record over four seasons as Blakeney’s successor at Troy, emerging as a candidate for several Power Five jobs.

That ascension tickles Blakeney, who resides in nearby Auburn but still talks football with Brown frequently.

“I can’t say enough good things about the man and what he did at Troy,” Blakeney said. “He took charge and drove that thing home.”

Brown and his wife, Brooke, have two daughters, Adalyn and Anslee, and a son, Dax.

“His wife, she understands the coaching business, and they’ve got beautiful kids,” Blakeney said. “They’re a primo family to lead the program. They’re good folks and West Virginia couldn’t do any better.”





More Sports

Sports
Darian DeVries welcomed as West Virginia men's basketball coach
DeVries eager for what's to come in what marks second head coaching gig.
March 28, 2024 - 2:57 pm
Marshall Sports
Integrating new players, coaches a focus for Herd at start of spring practice
Head coach Charles Huff says learning who his team is a critical component of spring football.
March 28, 2024 - 8:47 am
High School Sports
Class AAA Boys Basketball All-State List
State champion Shady Spring lands two on first team, including captain Ammar Maxwell.
March 28, 2024 - 8:42 am
High School Sports
Montague & Nutter each drive in four runs as Morgantown rallies past University, 8-6
The Mohigans took their only lead of the game in the sixth inning with Caleb Nutter's 3-run double.
March 27, 2024 - 9:59 pm