MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The first coaching domino of the offseason fell Wednesday for WVU, as defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae is headed to Georgia for the same position.
The Bulldogs made an official announcement on social media welcoming Addae to the program.
Addae, who played for the Mountaineers from 2001-05, returned to his alma mater in 2019, joining Neal Brown’s staff after previous stops at Minnesota and Arizona. After one season as the cornerbacks coach, Addae was promoted to handling the entire secondary after defensive coordinator Vic Koenning left the program following an investigation into inappropriate language.
“Forever thankful to Neal Brown and WVU football for the opportunity to come on home,” Addae tweeted. “The young men I coached, the fans, the community … it’ll all be missed. I want Mountaineer nation to know I gave it all as a player and a coach.”
The defense flourished in 2020 under Addae and defensive front coach Jordan Lesley: 21st nationally in scoring defense (20.5 points per game) and 4th in total defense (291.4 yards per game).
The pass defense under Addae was especially impressive, ranking No. 1 nationally, allowing 159.6 yards per game through the air.
“I want to thank Jahmile Addae for his many contributions to WVU football as a player and a coach. We wish him the best,” Brown tweeted. “Our search has already begun as we seek a coach to work with one of the top returning secondaries in the country.”
Addae finished his playing career at WVU with a 38-35 win over Georgia in the 2006 Sugar Bowl, but now leaves the Mountaineers for the Bulldogs, replacing Charlton Warren, who was named the defensive coordinator at Indiana.
Addae’s contract was set to expire at WVU and he made $305,000 in 2020.
The Mountaineers will now be on the search for several defensive assistants, including Addae’s now vacant spot. Outside linebackers coach Jeff Casteel is not under contract for the 2021 season, and Brown will need to make a decision on the defensive coordinator position, which was not filled after Koenning’s departure. Lesley posted on Twitter he and his family were moving to a new house in Morgantown, so he is expected to return although his current contract is expiring. The rest of the defensive staff includes middle linebackers coach Jeff Koonz and safeties coach Dontae Wright, who are both under contract for 2021.
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