Cornerbacks coach Rod West teaches playing violently to WVU secondary in early stages.
In the early stages of preseason camp, new West Virginia University cornerbacks coach Rod West is making an immediate impact—not just with his energy, but with his philosophy. Known for his aggressive defensive mindset, West is emphasizing a physical, “violent” style of play that he believes is essential for success in today’s college football.
“We’re not out here to just cover guys,” West told reporters after a recent practice. “We’re out here to make them feel us—every snap.”
West joined the WVU coaching staff during the offseason after several successful years coaching defensive backs at other programs. His reputation for building tough, physical secondaries is well known, and it’s a mentality he is quickly instilling into the Mountaineers’ cornerbacks. His presence is already being felt on the practice field, where intensity is up and physical play is being demanded on every rep.
“Coach West brings a different kind of energy,” said sophomore cornerback Daryl Simmons. “He expects us to be violent—not dirty, but physical, relentless, and intimidating.”
For West, the emphasis on violence is less about penalties or recklessness and more about playing with an edge. He wants his corners to press receivers aggressively at the line of scrimmage, attack the ball with force, and deliver hits that make opposing players think twice before coming into their zone.
“It’s about mentality,” West explained. “We want to dominate physically and mentally. That starts with violence—controlled violence.”
In team drills, West is seen right in the middle of the action, shouting instructions, correcting technique, and celebrating hard hits. His coaching style is vocal and hands-on, and he holds players to high standards of toughness and discipline.
The WVU secondary has been an area of focus for improvement after struggles in previous seasons. Defensive coordinator Jordan Lesley said West’s addition has already brought a noticeable shift in how the cornerbacks are approaching their role.
“You can see the difference,” Lesley said. “They’re playing tighter, more confident, and with a lot more bite. Rod’s coaching style is contagious.”
With several young players competing for starting roles, the secondary is still taking shape. But West is confident that physicality will be a defining trait of the group once the season begins.
“I don’t care if they’re freshmen or fifth-year seniors,” he said. “They’re going to play the right way. That means violent hands, violent feet, and violent intentions on every play.”
The players are responding. In film sessions, West rewinds clips to highlight aggressive plays. On the field, cornerbacks are flying to the ball, sticking to receivers with more confidence, and not shying away from contact.
As the Mountaineers prepare for a challenging 2025 season, one thing is clear: the secondary, under Coach Rod West, is being forged in a culture of toughness. If early practices are any indication, opposing offenses will have their hands full with a unit that refuses to be passive—and prides itself on playing violently.
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