West Virginia: a football coaching history
See West Virginia’s full 91-year Zeitgeist History →← all coaches
Stature and coaches, 1936–2026
The program’s standing over time, with every coach’s tenure beneath it — read down to see who was there for each rise and fall.
Run↔pass identity, by season
Every coach
Big movers show how many stature points they built or lost against what they inherited; steadier tenures show the tier they reached instead. A small blue arrow marks a real System Shift at that changeover — how hard the offense’s run/pass identity flipped.
1st-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Don Nehlen (1980–2000) · succeeded by Bill Stewart (2008–2010) · returned in 2025, succeeding Neal Brown (2019–2024).
| Season | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2025 | 2026 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||
| Record | 3-8 | 9-4 | 8-5 | 8-4 | 11-1 | 11-2 | 10-2 | 4-8 | 5-3 | |
| Postseason | — | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | — | — | — | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | #38 | #37 | #60 | #24 | #43 | #25 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | 30.5 | 23.6 | 28.3 | 29.7 | 38.5 | 27.4 | |
| Coordinators | ||||||||||
| OC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| DC | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Zac Alley | Zac Alley | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | 73 | 76 | 95 | 90 | 10 | 68 | |
| Defense | — | — | — | 82 | 37 | 20 | 66 | 47 | 3 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | 19.8 | 15.0 | 16.3 | 25.6 | 28.0 | 18.8 | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | 19.8 | 14.4 | 20.7 | 21.3 | 20.5 | 7.1 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | 42.3 | 27.3 | 23.1 | 34.3 | 57.6 | 50.0 | |
Underperforms his recruiting talent on offense and performs about as expected for his recruiting talent on defense.
A portal-built roster.
Typical size for position, once adjusted for position mix.
Recruits younger transfers than most — more of a development bet.
10 NFL Draft picks: Lance Nimmo (2003), James Davis (2003), Quincy Wilson (2004), Adam Jones (2005), Chris Henry (2005), Rasheed Marshall (2005), Alton McCann (2006), Steve Slaton (2008) + 2 more
AI Narratives — “West Virginia — stat check”.
6th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Dana Holgorsen (2011–2018) · succeeded by Rich Rodriguez (2025–now).
| Season | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 5-7 | 6-4 | 6-7 | 5-7 | 9-4 | 6-6 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | L bowl | — | W bowl | — | |
| Recruiting rank | #48 | #37 | #40 | #35 | #48 | #46 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | 57.6 | 52.8 | 49.7 | 48.9 | 37.0 | 41.7 | |
| Coordinators | |||||||
| OC | Chad Scott / Matt Moore | Chad Scott / Gerad Parker | Chad Scott / Gerad Parker | Graham Harrell | Chad Scott | Chad Scott | |
| DC | Vic Koenning | Jordan Lesley / Jahmile Addae / Jeff Koonz | Jordan Lesley / ShaDon Brown | Jordan Lesley / ShaDon Brown | Jordan Lesley / ShaDon Brown | ShaDon Brown / Jordan Lesley (5th season; first 8 games) / Jeff Koonz (interim; after week 9) | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | 10 | 37 | 33 | 52 | 83 | 58 | |
| Defense | 52 | 79 | 75 | 47 | 35 | 3 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 56.0 | 56.1 | 49.1 | 52.0 | 38.7 | 36.0 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 49.4 | 57.6 | 49.6 | 45.4 | 31.7 | 35.3 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 30.8 | 36.1 | 40.8 | 46.2 | 54.1 | 61.2 | |
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
A typical amount of portal roster-building.
Brings in bigger-than-position-typical players than most.
Recruits older, more experienced transfers than most.
6 NFL Draft picks: Kenny Robinson (2020), Colton McKivitz (2020), Tony Fields II (2021), Dante Stills (2023), Zach Frazier (2024), Wyatt Milum (2025)
2 player-seasons honored (All-America / national award): Darius Stills (2020), Wyatt Milum (2024)
3rd-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Bill Stewart (2008–2010) · succeeded by Neal Brown (2019–2024).
| Season | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||||
| Record | 10-3 | 7-6 | 4-8 | 7-6 | 8-5 | 10-3 | 7-6 | 8-4 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | L bowl | — | L bowl | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | #52 | #35 | #30 | #39 | #35 | #39 | #57 | #35 | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||||
| Pass rate | 56.5 | 53.8 | 52.1 | 48.7 | 40.8 | 41.6 | 51.1 | 51.1 | |
| Coordinators | |||||||||
| OC | — | — | — | Shannon Dawson | — | — | Jake Spavital | Jake Spavital | |
| DC | — | — | — | Tony Gibson | Tony Gibson | Tony Gibson | Tony Gibson | Tony Gibson | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||||
| Offense | 93 | 77 | 26 | 50 | 59 | 61 | 58 | 82 | |
| Defense | 78 | 38 | 53 | 77 | 85 | 70 | 42 | 29 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | 56.9 | 51.8 | 44.2 | 44.6 | 35.5 | 35.9 | 50.0 | 49.6 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 50.0 | 42.7 | 33.7 | 38.8 | 32.0 | 35.3 | 50.0 | 41.6 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 32.3 | 47.7 | 18.9 | 23.7 | 24.4 | 28.6 | 35.1 | 35.9 | |
Performs about as expected for his recruiting talent, on both sides of the ball.
25 NFL Draft picks: Bruce Irvin (2012), Najee Goode (2012), Keith Tandy (2012), Tavon Austin (2013), Geno Smith (2013), Stedman Bailey (2013), Charles Sims (2014), William Clarke (2014) + 17 more
2nd-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Rich Rodriguez (2001–2007) · succeeded by Dana Holgorsen (2011–2018).
| Season | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||
| Record | 9-4 | 9-4 | 9-4 | |
| Postseason | W bowl | L bowl | L bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | #49 | #24 | #32 | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||
| Pass rate | 37.1 | 40.5 | 42.1 | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||
| Offense | 48 | 45 | 63 | |
| Defense | 72 | 64 | 99 | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||
| 1st-down pass% | 39.5 | 42.3 | 42.7 | |
| Red-zone pass% | 39.3 | 33.9 | 33.6 | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | 29.7 | 25.0 | 27.0 | |
8 NFL Draft picks: Pat White (2009), Ellis Lankster (2009), Pat McAfee (2009), Selvish Capers (2010), Brandon Hogan (2011), Robert Sands (2011), J.T. Thomas (2011), Christopher Neild (2011)
4th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Frank Cignetti (1976–1979) · succeeded by Rich Rodriguez (2001–2007).
| Season | 1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Record | 6-6 | 9-3 | 9-3 | 9-3 | 8-4 | 7-3-1 | 4-7 | 6-6 | 11-1 | 8-3-1 | 4-7 | 6-5 | 5-4-2 | 11-1 | 7-6 | 5-6 | 8-4 | 7-5 | 8-4 | 4-7 | 7-5 | |
| Postseason | — | W bowl | L bowl | W bowl | W bowl | — | — | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | — | — | — | L bowl | L bowl | — | L bowl | L bowl | L bowl | — | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
35 NFL Draft picks: Delbert Fowler (1981), Fulton Walker (1981), Oliver Luck (1982), Darryl Talley (1983), Jeff Hostetler (1984), Ron Wolfley (1985), Brian Jozwiak (1986), Fred Smalls (1986) + 27 more
8th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Bobby Bowden (1970–1975) · succeeded by Don Nehlen (1980–2000).
7th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Jim Carlen (1966–1969) · succeeded by Frank Cignetti (1976–1979).
| Season | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Record & result | |||||||
| Record | 8-3 | 7-4 | 8-4 | 6-5 | 4-7 | 9-3 | |
| Postseason | — | — | L bowl | — | — | W bowl | |
| Recruiting rank | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Style — pass rate | |||||||
| Pass rate | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Outcome — opponent-adjusted efficiency percentile | |||||||
| Offense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Defense | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Tendencies — play-by-play, neutral script | |||||||
| 1st-down pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| Red-zone pass% | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| 4th-down go%opp. territory | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
6 NFL Draft picks: Jim Braxton (1971), Dale Farley (1971), Danny Buggs (1975), Charles Miller (1975), Ron Lee (1976), Artie Owens (1976)
10th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Gene Corum (1960–1965) · succeeded by Bobby Bowden (1970–1975).
1 NFL Draft pick: Garrett Ford (1968)
11th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Art Lewis (1950–1959) · succeeded by Jim Carlen (1966–1969).
5th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Dudley DeGroot (1948–1949) · succeeded by Gene Corum (1960–1965).
12th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Marshall Glenn (1937–1939) · succeeded by Rat Rogers (1943–1945) · returned in 1946 · succeeded by Dudley DeGroot (1948–1949).
13th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Bill Kern (1940–1942) · succeeded by Bill Kern (1946–1947).
9th-best West Virginia tenure of 13 by the numbers.
Followed Trusty Tallman (1936) · succeeded by Bill Kern (1940–1942).