In a college football landscape increasingly dominated by name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals, transfer portal quick-fixes, and splashy recruiting battles, West Virginia is charting a more traditional path: earning everything the hard way. Under head coach Neal Brown, the Mountaineers have fully embraced what he calls the “earned success model” — a cultural blueprint that values internal development, leadership, and accountability over instant gratification.
It’s not the flashy route. But in Morgantown, it’s a philosophy that’s starting to pay dividends.
The idea behind the earned success model is simple in theory but difficult in execution: players earn their playing time, leadership roles, and accolades through consistent effort, performance, and commitment to the team. Nothing is handed out. That approach has become central to West Virginia’s identity as the program seeks to reestablish itself as a serious contender in the Big 12.
“We’re building something sustainable,” Brown has said. “We want guys who want to work, who are invested in doing things the right way — not just the easy way.”
This model has been especially important given the program’s recruiting realities. Unlike traditional powerhouses with five-star pipelines, West Virginia often attracts under-the-radar prospects — players with chips on their shoulders and something to prove. That aligns perfectly with a culture built on development and growth rather than hype.
One shining example is linebacker Lee Kpogba, who came into the program as a relatively unheralded transfer but quickly bought into the system. He transformed into a defensive leader, not because of fanfare, but through relentless effort and commitment. Stories like Kpogba’s are becoming more common in Morgantown — and that’s by design.
Player-led accountability has also become a defining feature of the Mountaineers’ locker room. The coaching staff empowers upperclassmen to set the tone for younger players, fostering a tight-knit, disciplined unit. It’s a dynamic that has helped West Virginia improve its consistency, particularly on defense and special teams.
There have been bumps along the way — as with any program resisting the urge to chase quick fixes — but the Mountaineers’ steady progress suggests the model is working. In 2024, the team exceeded expectations and earned a bowl appearance, validating the foundation being laid.
Critics may point to the slow pace of this rebuild, especially in a cutthroat conference where patience is in short supply. But for West Virginia, the commitment to earned success is about more than wins and losses — it’s about identity, pride, and building something that lasts.
As the 2025 season approaches, the Mountaineers aren’t promising fireworks or headlines. They’re promising work. And in West Virginia, that might be the most exciting thing of all.
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