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Clearing Up Any Confusion About WVU Football Firing Jordan Lesley

Originally posted on WV Sports Now | By Mike Asti | Last updated Oct 29, 2024 3:14 PM ET

As expected, the firing of Jordan Lesley sparked a strong reaction from WVU fans. And even though head coach Neal Brown released a statement about the decsion, we at WV Sports Now wanted to offer what we know about the situation in an effort to clear up any confusion.

It was Neal Brown’s decision to part ways with Lesley
Brown previously fought to keep Lesley and the defensive staff intact after West Virginia endured a rough 2022 season.
The decision to fire Lesley was in the works for multiple weeks and the bye week was viewed as the right time if things did not improve defensively. That means the defense had to perform no matter if the Mountaineers won as a team.
WVU director of athletics Wren Baker and Brown talk frequently and any reports that Brown was forced to do this by Baker are false.
The decision to promote Jeff Koonz instead of ShaDon Brown likely signals the writing being on the wall for (ShaDon) Brown.
The expectation is no decision about (Neal) Brown’s future will take place until the end of the season.
The expectation is also that (Neal) Brown will remain on as head coach barring a collapse in the final four games.

Soon after the news began to circulate, (Neal) Brown offered his own comments about Lesley and the plan moving forward throughout the rest of the 2024 season.

“I met with Coach Lesley this morning and informed him that we are making a change at the defensive coordinator position,” Brown said in a statement. “I’m very thankful for the investment Jordan and his family have made in West Virginia football.”

Lesley had been on Brown’s staff for eight years, including all six seasons at WVU and dating back to the 2016 season at Troy.

WVSN photo/Kelsie LeRose

“Jordan has been a key part of my staff for almost a decade,” Brown said. “He is a good football coach and a great man. I know he will have much success moving forward, and we will do everything we can to help him on that journey,” said Brown.

“These decisions are never easy, but I’m confident this change is in the best interest of our program and puts us in the best position to finish strong,” Brown said. Our players have a tremendous opportunity in front of them, and I know they will give their all for WVU.”

WVU’s defense under Lesley has regressed badly this season, contributing to the team’s disappointing 4-4 record (3-2 Big 12). In the Big 12, the Mountaineers defense is 14th in points per game (28.4), 13th in yards per game (382.5), 15th in passing yards per game (261) and last in opposing yards per attempt (9.3) and efficiency (162.0).

In the same press release, Brown also officially promoted assistant coach Jeff Koonz to interim defensive coordinator.

“Jeff Koonz will step up and serve as the defensive coordinator moving forward,” Brown said. “I know he and our entire staff will do everything they can to help us succeed.”

Koonz is in his fifth season at WVU, all as special teams coordinator and inside linebackers coach. He will continue to serve as the special teams coordinator for the time being. Koonz has one year of coordinator experience as a co-defensive coordinator for Cincinnati in 2016.

The Mountaineers are currently on their second bye week of the season and will return to action to begin a favorable four-game stretch at Cincinnati on Nov. 9.

Stay with WV Sports Now for more on this developing story and our coverage of the WVU football program.

For a related story, WVU director of athletics Wren Baker sent a message to fans to address the football disappointment and update the fall sports calendar.

This article first appeared on WV Sports Now and was syndicated with permission.

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