Neal Brown, the former West Virginia and Troy head coach, has been named the next head coach of North Texas, but his first priority is keeping the players that helped the Mean Green reach its first 11‑win season.
Immediate Focus: Retaining the Core
Brown met with the team before being formally introduced as coach for the No. 23 Mean Green (11‑2) on Monday, a week after being announced as the successor to Oklahoma State‑bound Eric Morris. He said, “My approach on this is this 2025 season is not done,” and added, “So that’s their team, I’m not part of that yet. All I want to do is I want to be around them. And my main goal with those players right now is building relationships.”
The new coach’s main goal is to keep the roster that led the program to its first 11‑win season and to a bowl appearance after narrowly missing the College Football Playoff. By focusing on relationships, Brown hopes to ease the transition for players who have become integral to the team’s success.
Coaching Transition and Bowl Game
Neither Brown nor Morris will coach North Texas in the New Mexico Bowl against San Diego State on Dec. 27. Morris, who was named Oklahoma State’s new coach two weeks ago, had said he would finish the season with the Mean Green. Their 34‑21 loss to CFP‑bound Tulane in the American Conference game on Friday night knocked them out of contention to be a Group‑of‑Five representative in the 12‑team playoff.
North Texas athletic director Jared Mosley explained the situation, saying, “I think certainly had the CFP (happened) … that was something he wanted to make sure he saw through,” and added, “I do think with this bowl being a little bit later and he obviously has a lot on his plate there, like we probably will look into letting him be a little more engaged there and figure out an interim solution here.”
Mosley also said he expected a resolution on the interim situation within the next couple of days. “Great thing is we’ve got a great staff in place now, I mean these are guys who have poured into these young men all season long,” the AD said. “We’ll manage this change probably in a way that’s similar to several other places going through this with us.”
Background on Brown and Morris
Brown, 45, previously coached West Virginia and Troy, and spent the past nine months at Texas as a special offensive assistant for coach Steve Sarkisian. He has a record of 72‑51 with the Mountaineers and Trojans, including a 5‑1 bowl record, and has served as offensive coordinator at Kentucky (2013‑14) and Texas Tech (2010‑12).
Morris was introduced Monday at Oklahoma State, about 225 miles north on Interstate 35 from the North Texas campus where he was 22‑16 over three seasons. He is taking over a Cowboys team that hasn’t won a conference game in the Big 12 since 2023.
Brown said he has had multiple conversations with Morris about the North Texas program and expected them to connect again. He added that he sensed Morris’ deep respect for UNT and that Morris wants to exit in the right way. “I wanted the opportunity to build on the success of coach Morris and to continue to do things that have never been done her before,” Brown said.
Key Players and Their Stats
North Texas redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Mestemaker has thrown 31 touchdowns and is the national passing leader with 4,129 yards. Freshman Caleb Hawkins, who was knocked out of the American title game early because of a shoulder injury, has rushed for 1,236 yards and an FBS‑high 23 touchdowns.
These players will be central to the program’s continuity as Brown takes the reins. Their experience and production provide a solid foundation for the upcoming season.
Brown’s Coaching Experience
Brown’s résumé includes three consecutive 10‑win seasons at Troy, a Group‑of‑Five school, that included bowl wins. One of those postseason victories was a 50‑30 win over the Mean Green in the 2017 New Orleans Bowl. His experience in high‑pressure games and with developing young talent is expected to benefit the North Texas program.
He will take over as head coach of the UNT football team in 2026, according to the article, although he was formally introduced earlier this week. The timing of his arrival is aimed at ensuring a smooth transition while the current roster remains focused on the bowl game.
Looking Ahead
With the coaching transition underway, Brown’s immediate focus remains on building relationships with the existing roster and maintaining the momentum that led North Texas to an 11‑win season. The program’s leadership, including AD Jared Mosley, is working to secure an interim solution that will keep the team on track for its bowl appearance.
As the season progresses, the new coaching staff will be evaluated on how well they preserve the core of the team and prepare the program for the next era under Brown’s guidance.
Key Takeaways
- Neal Brown is set to become North Texas head coach, prioritizing the retention of the 11‑win core.
- Neither Brown nor Morris will coach the team in the New Mexico Bowl; an interim solution is being arranged.
- Brown’s experience at West Virginia, Troy, and Texas positions him to guide the program toward continued success.
The transition marks a new chapter for the Mean Green, with a focus on continuity, player relationships, and a strategic plan for the upcoming bowl game and beyond.
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