Former WVU DC Vic Koenning Set to Return to Coaching
After sitting out this past season, former West Virginia defensive coordinator Vic Koenning is back in coaching. According to FootballScoop.com, Koenning is set to become the defensive coordinator at Gulf Shores High School in Alabama.
Mark Hudspeth is the head coach at Gulf Shores and is an accomplished college football head coach going 51-38 in seven years (2011-17) at Louisiana-Lafayette, now known as the University of Louisiana. In 2019, he resigned as the head coach of Austin Peay. He was on a 20-day suspension for “unacceptable conduct and violations of employment agreement”, according to Neil Rye of ClarksvilleNow.com.
As for Koenning, he and WVU mutually agreed to part ways on July 22nd following allegations of player mistreatment. In a press release by the university, Koenning was apologetic and wished the program success in the future.
"I remain apologetic to anyone who perceived something I said or did as hurtful. That was never my intent. I wish to thank all the current and former players, coaches, and colleagues – of all different ethnicities and backgrounds – whose support and encouragement have been invaluable to me and my family. I am relieved the process is over but will be forever changed by the experience. Personally, I'd love to get back to coaching our guys, but I know that doing so would create additional scrutiny and lingering distractions for our program. Taking all this into consideration, we have come to this mutual decision to separate. I will always be grateful for the relationships formed with so many players, coaches, and WVU supporters. I am not done coaching. I remain passionate about leading young men and look forward to the next coaching chapter in my life. I wish nothing but the best for all Mountaineers."
Despite Koenning leaving the program, the Mountaineers pieced together the nation’s 4th best defense and the Power Five’s best defense (291.4 yards per game). What’s even more impressive is that the Mountaineers finished No. 1 nationally in passing defense allowing just 159.6 yards per game. Considering the league WVU plays in, that’s quite an accomplishment. West Virginia’s defense was co-coordinated by defensive line coach Jordan Lesley and cornerbacks Coach Jahmile Addae.
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