MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Just a day after Jahmile Addae left for Georgia, WVU head coach Neal Brown announced a new addition to the defensive coaching staff in former Old Dominion defensive line coach Andrew Jackson.
Jackson worked under former Mountaineers assistant Blake Seiler, who coached linebackers and special teams at WVU in 2019 before leaving for ODU as a defensive coordinator in 2020. The Monarchs did not play a fall season and are expected to play this spring, so Jackson did not coach a game there. Prior, he was at James Madison and coached against WVU in the 2019 season opener. Jackson also had stops at Mississippi State, Fordham, Penn State and Stony Brook.
“I would like to welcome Andrew to the Mountaineers football family,” Brown said in a statement. “He comes highly recommended and brings good defensive experience with him. He already has recruiting experience in areas within our footprint and has a track record for being an outstanding teacher.”
Brown also said defensive assignments will be announced at a later date. Currently, only middle linebackers coach Jeff Koonz and safeties coach Dontae Wright are under contract for 2021, though defensive line coach Jordan Lesley, who co-coordinated the defense last season with Addae, is expected to return.
Jackson was a three-year captain as a defensive lineman at Long Island University Post in the early part of last decade. WVU is set to host LIU in the 2021 home opener Sept. 11 at Milan Puskar Stadium.
“Coach Brown is building a strong, family-oriented program at West Virginia, and I am excited to become a part of its upward climb,” Jackson said. “The program has a rich tradition and history and the fan base is very passionate. I have a lot of respect for the people in this state, and I am excited to work with the players and coaches. I can’t wait to get started.”
Jackson could replace Jeff Casteel, who coached bandit linebackers last season and is not under contract for 2021. Addae’s spot int he secondary still needs to be filled.
