Jeff Koonz replaces Jordan Lesley as DC in West Virginia

West Virginia defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley is out and has been replaced by Jeff Koonz for the remainder of the season, the school announced Tuesday.

Lesley served as West Virginia's primary coordinator since 2021 and was part of coach Neal Brown's staff at WVU and Troy since 2016.

“I met with coach Lesley this morning and informed him that we are making a change at the defensive coordinator position,” coach Neal Brown said in a statement. “These decisions are never easy, but I am confident that this change is in the best interest of our program and puts us in the best position to perform strongly. Jeff Koonz will step up and serve as defensive coordinator in the future. I know him and our entire staff will do everything we can to help us succeed.”

The Mountaineers rank 45th nationally in points allowed and have allowed 99 points in their last three games.

Lesley was nominated for the Broyles Award, given to the nation's top assistant, in 2020 and 2021 and oversaw a defense that led the Big 12 in sacks and improved its pressing numbers last season. He initially coached the defensive line for Brown at Troy and WVU before adding the title of defensive coordinator in 2020.

Koonz has served as West Virginia's inside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator under Brown since 2020. He most recently held the title of defensive coordinator in Cincinnati in 2016.

The Mountaineers (4-4) have this week off before visiting Cincinnati on Nov. 9.