MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — West Virginia head coach Neal Brown cleared the air Tuesday on how he and offensive coordinator Gerad Parker handle play-calling duties, which came into question this week after the 17-13 loss at Texas last Saturday.
Brown strictly called the plays last season in his first year with the program, but after bringing in Parker from Penn State this offseason, the play-calling has been a little more relaxed, with Brown using Parker’s input more and more.
Many believed Brown called the plays until the Mountaineers reached the red zone — inside the opponent 20-yard line — and the reins were then given to Parker, or vice versa.
Brown squashed that, saying the back-and-forth is consistent throughout, regardless of the yard line or what situation the offense is in.
“We really work together — he calls some of the plays, I call some of the plays,” Brown said. “We bounce back and forth. I have the final say, so on the bad ones, you can blame me. For the most part, I call them, but he definitely has some say in situational football. We’ll talk about it while the defense is out there sometimes.”
As head coach, Brown points in the direction he wants the offense to go if Parker is put in control, from tempo to a drive-starter. Brown also mentioned most of the offensive staff, including offensive line coach Matt Moore, running backs coach Chad Scott and tight ends/inside receivers coach Travis Trickett have insight.
“If more of when we get into this game, this is what I want you to focus on,” Brown said. “It’s really not a super scientific deal.”
Leddie Brown questionable
Neal Brown mentioned after the Texas game last week Leddie Brown was banged up, but went a little further Tuesday into the condition of the Mountaineers’ star running back.
“Leddie wasn’t 100% and he got hurt on the first play of the game on a play where he was actually on the perimeter blocking, and he wasn’t the same,” Neal Brown said. “We’re going to take care of him this week and we’re hopeful he can play (against TCU). We won’t know that until later in the week.”
Leddie Brown has 741 yards and nine touchdowns through seven games, and also has 26 catches for 176 yards and two scores.
Alec Sinkfield has been Leddie Brown’s primary backup, rushing for 306 yards on 68 carries. If Brown can’t go, Sinkfield will likely be the primary ball carrier, but a pair of freshmen, Tony Mathis and A’Varius Sparrow, may also be in the mix to get carries.
“They’re all doing well,” Parker said. “The guys are preparing the right way from Sinkfield down. We believe in all our guys. We certainly believe in those guys that would have to step up all across our board.”
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