WVU Defense to Go Through Big Changes After this Season

Following this season the West Virginia defense could see big changes both in terms of scheme and players.

On Monday defensive coordinator Vic Koenning said the coaching staff will need to reevaluate several things at season’s end.

“I do think that what we have to do, defensively, is go back and say ‘alright, here’s the players that we have. Here’s what best suits us going forward in this conference. Here’s what we’re going need to be able to do’.”

This year the Mountaineers rank last in the Big 12 in scoring defense, giving up 33.4 points per game through seven games. There are also seven seniors who play significant snaps for WVU.

In the secondary, safety Josh Norwood and cornerbacks Hakeem Bailey and Keith Washington II will all graduate. Norwood leads WVU in tackles with 52 and Washington leads the team in interceptions (three) and pass breakups (six).

In the front seven, the team will lose. Reese Donahue, Reuben Jones, Shea Campbell and Quondarius Qualls. Donahue is third on the team with three sacks.

Koenning said there are some pieces in place right now for the team to build on for the future.

“I don’t think we’re not suited, we are suited in some respects,” Koenning said. “We just got to go back and say ‘here’s what we need to be, here’s what we need to have’ and just make those assessments after that.”