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AP Photo WVU has parted ways with defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley.

West Virginia University’s football team has a new defensive coordinator, as head coach Neal Brown said that Jordan Lesley had been removed from the role and linebackers coach Jeff Koonz will handle the job for the remainder of the season.

“I met with Coach Lesley this morning and informed him that we are making a change at the defensive coordinator position,” Brown said in a statement Tuesday morning. I’m very thankful for the investment Jordan and his family have made in West Virginia football. Jordan has been a key part of my staff for almost a decade. He is a good football coach and a great man. I know he will have much success moving forward, and we will do everything we can to help him on that journey.

“These decisions are never easy, but I’m confident this change is in the best interest of our program and puts us in the best position to finish strong. Our players have a tremendous opportunity in front of them, and I know they will give their all for WVU. Jeff Koonz will step up and serve as the defensive coordinator moving forward. I know he and our entire staff will do everything they can to help us succeed.”

Lesley came to WVU with Brown from Troy University in 2019, serving first as defensive line coach, then co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coach in 2020 and as defensive coordinator since 2021. In 2021, WVU finished fifth nationally in red zone defense, 18th in fewest defensive first downs allowed and in fourth-down percentage, 29th in third-down defense and 37th in total defense (350.1).

Yet the Mountaineers were nowhere near those numbers this year. WVU entered the bye week ranked tied 95th in scoring defense (28.4 points per game), 84th in total defense (382.5 yards allowed per game), 114th in passing yards allowed (261 per game), 117th in opponents’ fourth down conversions, 124th in opponents’ third-down conversions and 127th in opponents’ passer rating (161.99).

The Mountaineers (4-4, 3-2 Big 12) visit Cincinnati at noon Nov. 9.