On Monday morning, one Big 12 institution will begin its hunt for a new athletic director. Shane Lyons's seven-year term as athletic director for the West Virginia Mountaineers
has abruptly ended. During that time, he struggled to establish a sustainable and successful football program. Rob Alsop, West Virginia's current Vice President for Strategic Initiatives,
has been appointed temporary athletic director. Lyons was hired by the Mountaineers after serving as the school's assistant athletic director at Alabama from 2011 to 2015.
According to an ESPN report detailing the matter, the school's decision to move on from Lyons was influenced by budgetary concerns and the general unpredictability
surrounding the football program's present troubles. West Virginia has yet to determine the future of current head football coach Neal Brown, despite getting rid of their athletic director.
Brown, who has compiled a 21-24 record at West Virginia, will have guided the Mountaineers to three consecutive losing seasons if they lose one of their next two games this season.
If West Virginia ultimately decides to break ways with Brown this season, his buyout of roughly $17 million will exacerbate the athletic department's present financial difficulties.
To become bowl eligible in 2022, West Virginia must win their next two games, beginning with this Saturday's contest against No. 19 Kansas State.