Personnel evaluation starting to take shape for WVU coaches…
As West Virginia University (WVU) heads into the spring semester of 2025, personnel evaluation is beginning to take center stage for the Mountaineers’ coaching staff. Following a tumultuous season marked by inconsistency and missed opportunities, the coaching staff is diving into an essential task: assessing the team’s roster to build a stronger, more competitive squad moving forward.
Head coach Neal Brown and his staff are carefully evaluating every position on the field, as they prepare to take on a demanding 2025 season. After finishing 2024 with a record that didn’t quite meet expectations, WVU’s coaching staff is placing a heightened emphasis on making personnel adjustments that could make all the difference for the team’s success.
### Focus on Player Development
For the Mountaineers, one of the key areas under scrutiny is player development. Brown, who is entering his fifth season at WVU, has stressed the importance of a strong foundation in developing young players and improving existing talent. The coaching staff is working closely with strength and conditioning teams to ensure that players continue to grow physically, mentally, and tactically. This holistic approach aims to not only improve individual skills but also to build a cohesive unit that can compete at the highest level in the Big 12 Conference.
“The evaluation process isn’t just about identifying weaknesses,” Coach Brown stated recently. “We’re looking for players who can step up, who can elevate their play in critical moments, and who will contribute to a team-first mentality. The goal is improvement across the board, both individually and collectively.”
The staff is putting emphasis on improving depth across the board. There’s a particular focus on bolstering positions where WVU struggled last year, especially along the offensive line and in the secondary. Recruiting, alongside player development, is crucial to WVU’s long-term goals of competing for Big 12 titles.
### Transfers and Recruiting: Critical Components for Success
In addition to evaluating current players, the Mountaineers are keeping a sharp eye on the transfer portal as a way to bolster key positions. With many teams across the nation actively dipping into the portal to fill roster gaps, WVU is no different. With the program’s future relying heavily on adding talent through both the recruiting class and transfer portal, the coaching staff is expected to make strategic moves to bring in players who can contribute immediately.
WVU’s coaching staff is particularly looking to add experienced depth in the areas of wide receiver, linebacker, and defensive back. Brown has made it clear that bringing in skilled players to make an immediate impact is critical to staying competitive in the evolving Big 12 landscape. As spring practice draws closer, WVU fans can expect to hear more about potential new faces joining the program as the evaluation process continues.
### Building a Stronger Culture
In the midst of player evaluations, the coaching staff is also dedicated to shaping the culture at WVU. Brown has consistently emphasized the importance of teamwork, leadership, and mental toughness. Ensuring that all players buy into the culture he’s building is essential for establishing long-term success. The evaluation process extends beyond just physical ability—it also includes gauging a player’s attitude, discipline, and ability to contribute to the team’s overall growth.
“It’s about identifying players who will buy into what we’re doing here,” Brown explained. “We want individuals who are committed to the team, the program, and ultimately, to each other.”
As WVU’s coaching staff continues to work through their evaluations this spring, the hope is that these efforts will lay the groundwork for a more cohesive, disciplined, and competitive team in the upcoming season.
### The Road Ahead
With spring practice on the horizon, the coaching staff is looking to finalize their personnel decisions, ensuring that they have the best possible squad to compete in 2025. These evaluations, from player development to roster adjustments through recruiting and the transfer portal, will play a pivotal role in determining the Mountaineers’ trajectory in the Big 12 and beyond.
As WVU prepares to enter the next phase of the offseason, the focus is on turning evaluations into tangible results. The Mountaineers’ success in 2025 will largely depend on how well the coaching staff can shape their roster and create a team that can compete with the top contenders in the conference. With the evaluation process well underway, Mountaineer Nation has plenty of reasons to be hopeful as the future begins to take shape.
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