AD Baker discusses the West Virginia football program
West Virginia Athletic Director Wren Baker is in a very different spot than he was when he arrived a year ago when it comes to evaluating the football program.
Baker was flooded with questions on the status of Head Coach Neal Brown upon taking the post.
It was understandable considering Baker didn’t hire Brown and the Mountaineers were coming off a 5-7 campaign on the field that led to plenty of unrest.
Baker made it a point to evaluate the program and get close to it over the next year in order to understand the inner workings better.
“I’ve spent a lot of time around the program meeting individually with all the coaches and all the staff. I know most of the student-athletes. I’ve been to a ton of practices, been in the locker room for pre-game, halftime and post-game so I have a great feel,” he said.
And off the field, Baker couldn’t be more pleased with so many of the things that are being done right within the football program. That includes academics where West Virginia achieved a team-wide grade-point average of nearly 3.0 which is an impressive mark.
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In fact, Baker has no hesitation in telling parents that he would allow his children to play in the program for Brown and when he says it, he really means it.
“A lot of great things are happening,” Baker said.
But while wins are critical for the fan base and general public, Baker understands that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to evaluating things at large. And the Mountaineers put together a strong effort finishing the regular season at 8-4 and then closing the season with another win in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Baker has already assured Brown and his coaching staff that he will return for the 2024 season and the athletic director is excited for where the program could go in the future.
West Virginia signed 22 new prospects during the early signing period and welcomed six transfers as well without losing a significant chunk of their own roster in the process.
“I think we’re doing a better job in retention and recruitment and evaluation in prospects that are out there,” he said. “Certainly the growth of the Country Roads Trust is a big benefit to that.”
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