Re-Introducing Jeff Koonz to WVU Fans as He Takes Over as DC

As the undercard to the Jordan Lesley news, Jeff Koonz will take over the defensive coordinator role for the rest of the season. And as WVU embarks on an important, but favorable compared to the rest of the schedule, stretch to close out the 2024 season, it’s time to introduce (or re-introduce) Koonz to any fans who need a refresher.

Koonz is in his fifth season at WVU. Based on the latest update to the staff directory (as of Oct. 30), Koonz is now listed as “Defensive Coordinator/Special Teams Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach” after previously serving as the “Special Teams Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach.” WV Sports Now reached out to clarify Koonz’s role based on Lesley’s dismissal and was told he will also continue his previous duties in addition to taking on the defensive coordinator role, at least for the time being.

Koonz has one year of coordinator experience as a co-defensive coordinator for Cincinnati in 2016. Prior to joining the West Virginia staff in 2020, Koonz led the inside linebackers at Ole Miss for one season after spending two years in the same role at North Texas.

A native of Wallkill, N.Y., Koonz started his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Auburn in 2004, the same school he attended for his undergraduate degree. Koonz accomplished a master’s at Texas in 2006 and worked as a graduate assistant and linebackers coach with the Longhorns. He then moved on for a brief stint at Iowa State for his first position coaching special teams (and also the secondary), and then returned to Texas in 2009 as a defensive quality control coach.

Koonz would experience a season at Louisiana Tech before working his way up the Cincinnati staff, going from coaching the safeties to co-defensive coordinator in three seasons.

In the same press release that WVU head coach Neal Brown officially confirmed reports and announced the firing of Lesley, he also provided his thoughts about promoting Koonz.

“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.”

And for what Brown had to say about Lesley…. 

“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.

“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.”

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 Mountaineer 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).

For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti clears up any confusion about WVU firing Jordan Lesley.

Asti and Cody Nespor talked with fans shortly after the news broke during a live edition of Mountaineer Report.