WVU Football Announces Pat Kirkland as Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Assistant

WVU football has hired Pat Kirkland as special teams coordinator and assistant defensive coach, the program announced Tuesday.

Kirkland follows new WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez from Jacksonville State, where the two worked together from 2022-24. Kirkland also worked under Rodriguez during his first stint at WVU in 2006 and 2007.

“Pat has years of special teams and defensive experience that will help elevate all phases of our program here at West Virginia,” Rodriguez said in a stsatement. “He has a lot of passion for the state and does an outstanding job in recruiting and developing our players. We’re excited to have him back on our staff again.”

Kirkland also coached bandit linebackers while at Jacksonville State, although Jeff Casteel was hired yesterday for that position.