Jeff Koonz Earns Weekly Award After 1st Game as Defensive Coordinator

In his first game as interim defensive coordinator, WVU football assistant coach Jeff Koonz has been awarded Coordinator of the Week by a major outlet. As they do every week, CBS Sports/247 Sports revealed their Coordinators of the Week winners, picking Koonz to represent the Big 12 for Week 10.

Koonz took over as WVU’s defensive coordinator after Jordan Lesley was fired during the Mountaineers’ bye week. In its first game under Koonz, the WVU defense picked up three turnovers and scored two defensive touchdowns during Saturday’s 31-24 win at Cincinnati.

Our @CBSSports/@247Sports conference coordinators of the week for Week 11:https://t.co/RechGqCkHQ pic.twitter.com/Ot1ONyrYeA

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) November 11, 2024

Safety Anthony Wilson and linebacker Tyrin Bradley each found their way into the endzone en route to the Mountaineer victory. It was the first time in over two decades that the Mountaineers scored multiple defensive touchdowns in the same game.

The first score came when Wilson picked off a pass from Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby. A falling Sorsby flipped the ball forward trying to avoid a sack, but it went right into the hands of Wilson, who had a clear path for the 79-yard touchdown.

Wilson also earned an accolade this week, being named the Big 12 Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Wilson totaled 11 tackles, including six registered as solo, to go along with his interception that he returned 79 yards for a touchdown.

Since his focus is always more about how the team performs above himself individually, Wilson emphasized needing to close games better defensively while talking to the media on Monday. He also expressed a confidence that the WVU defense showed what they are capable of in how fast and aggressive they played against the Bearcats.

“We have to just do a better job of finishing games. If we take care of our mistakes, we’ll be fine,” said Wilson.

Bradley’s score came late in the fourth quarter and helped to seal the game for the Mountaineers. Sorsby was hit as he threw a pass and the ball slipped out of his hand sideways. Bradley scooped up the ball, which was ruled a backward pass, and ran it 14 yards to the end zone.

For a related story, Neal Brown hints at what’s stopping him from naming a starting quarterback for Baylor.