Jeff Koonz on Ascending to WVU’s DC Role: ‘This is Not Promotion, It’s an Obligation’

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – WVU’s new defensive coordinator Jeff Koonz addressed the media for the first time since ascending to his new role on Monday. And while some may wonder how someone who has been an assistant and running the special teams will fare as defensive coordinator, Koonz made it clear he’s ready for this opportunity.

Koonz explained he does not believe West Virginia’s defensive system is broken. In fact, he still believes in the system and the rest of the defensive staff.

“I have full and utter confidence in this system of defense,” explained Koonz.

WVU DC Jeff Koonz: “I have full and utter confidence in this system of defense.”

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) November 4, 2024

But Koonz also knows changes are needed. Koonz noted that the defense has simply been way too the inconsistent this season.

“There’s a standard of defense that we have to put on tape every single play. We got to be more consistent. Consistency, now, that’s what you hopefully see, takeaways.”

WVU head coach Neal Brown, who has witnessed Koonz’s growth as a coach over the years, discussed his faith in Koonz moving forward.

“He’s at a point where he’s ready to do this. He’s turned down some coordinator opportunities to stay, which we’re appreciative of. This is a big opportunity for him,” mentioned Brown.

When asked if the remaining stretch of the 2024 regular season and any possible postseason can be labeled an audition period for Koonz, Brown referred to that as a fair assessment. Koonz, however, offered a slightly different outlook about this opportunity, his first to call defensive plays since serving as a co-defensive coordinator with Cincinnati in 2016.

“This is not a promotion, it’s an obligation,” clarified Koonz.

Jeff Koonz’s background:

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.

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

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.

For a related story, WVU head coach Neal Brown is embracing the magnitude of the final four games of the 2024 regular season.