West Virginia fires defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley, names Jeff Koonz interim DC

By The Associated Press

FILE - West Virginia assistant coach Jordan Lesley watches during the second half of the team's NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh, Sept. 1, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic, file)[ASSOCIATED PRESS/Keith Srakocic]

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia has fired defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley. Inside linebackers coach Jeff Koonz will replace Lesley for the rest of the season. West Virginia’s injury-riddled secondary has struggled all season. The Mountaineers are surrendering 9.3 yards per pass play, worst in the Big 12, and their 17 touchdown passes allowed are the second-worst. After giving up 45 points to No. 17 Kansas State on Oct. 19, West Virginia surrendered two touchdown passes in blown coverage in a 31-26 win at Arizona on Saturday. Lesley was in his fourth season as defensive coordinator. West Virginia plays next at Cincinnati on Nov. 9.