Top DC Options for Rich Rodriguez to Bring to WVU

Even though Rich Rodriguez’s teams, especially those from his first tenure at WVU, are known for having exciting offenses, he knows it takes a strong defense to win championships. And it’s also fair to say the defense was a big problem during the Neal Brown era, most notably during the 2024 season that led to his firing.

So since defense is so important and Rodriguez said he plans to hire his defensive coordinator before building the rest of his staff, these are the two top coaches that make sense and we are hearing as possible options.

Rodriguez even said WVU has told him he has the financial support to hire a “damn good” defensive coordinator, too.

Zac Alley 

A young defensive coach who already has tons of experience and a connection to Rodriguez, Zac Alley could be the perfect.

Alley currently serves as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma, a position he owes to his time working under Rodriguez at Jacksonville State.

Prior to joining the Sooners in 2024, Alley spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Rodriguez and the Gamecocks as defensive coordinator. He’s also worked at Louisiana-Monroe, again with Rodriguez, and Boise State as well as earned a couple national championship rings as a graduate assistant with Clemson.

Jahmile Addae

The other prominent name being floated around is Jahmile Addae. Addae hasn’t worked with Rodriguez as recently as Alley, but he did serve on a staff at WVU from 2019-20.

The current cornerbacks coach with the Buffalo Bills may want to stay in the NFL, but a defensive coordinator job at a Power Four school, especially his alma matter, may entice him to return to the college ranks.

Addae has a long history with Rodriguez, which may make it tough for him to say no to his old coach if offered. Addae played for Rodriguez from 2001-05 and then served as a graduate assistant at WVU in 2007 before following him to Michigan for a couple years. He spent time on staffs at Cincinnati, Arizona and Minnesota before stings with Georgia and Miami (FL) up until jumping to the NFL.

For a related story, WVU legend Pat White makes his case for a spot on Rodriguez’s coaching staff.