**Neal Brown values exposure for WVU football**
MORGANTOWN — On Tuesday afternoon, the Big 12 announced its preseason football media poll and preseason all-conference team, placing the West Virginia Mountaineers firmly in the middle of the pack. WVU ranked seventh, with only one player, offensive tackle Wyatt Milum, making the preseason all-conference team.
WVU’s situation reflects its standing in college football: successful but not elite. Despite 781 all-time wins, 15 league titles, and six Top Ten finishes, WVU lacks a national championship. The Mountaineers, part of a Big 12 conference now without Oklahoma and Texas, face competition from schools like Utah and Arizona.
Branding is crucial in this era. WVU has historically excelled in creating its brand, utilizing symbols like its Mountaineer mascot and “Country Roads” song. Promoting players like center Zach Frazier, who earned All-American honors and became a Pittsburgh Steelers draft pick, demonstrates the importance of recognition in recruitment.
As WVU faces financial issues and a declining student body, the athletic program must positively represent the school. Television ratings are vital, and last year’s football success helped mitigate damage from the Bob Huggins basketball scandal. Neal Brown understands the modern coach’s role includes maximizing exposure alongside game strategy.
