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West Virginia football, defensive coordinator Vic Koenning agree to ‘mutually separate’ following allegations of mistreatment
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The lead up to training camp is not the ideal time for a defensive coordinator to leave a football program but that’s what West Virginia is now dealing with in Morgantown as the program and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning have agreed to mutually separate.
On Wednesday, West Virginia announced Koenning is no longer associated with its program.
Koenning had two years left on his contract, which was supposed to pay him $1,074,059 during that time. Instead, Koenning will earn $591,451 over the next 19 months following this mutual separation.
If you haven’t been following the leadup to this outcome, West Virginia defensive back Kerry Martin Jr. took to social media recently to detail allegations of mistreatment coming from Koenning. Not long after Martin’s posting, West Virginia placed Koenning on leave and the coordinator issued a public apology.
Following Wednesday news of the mutual separation, Koenning issued the following statement:
“I remain apologetic to anyone who perceived something I said or did as hurtful. That was never my intent. I wish to thank all the current and former players, coaches and colleagues – of all different ethnicities and backgrounds – whose support and encouragement have been invaluable to me and my family. I am relieved the process is over but will be forever changed by the experience.
“Personally, I’d love to get back to coaching our guys, but I know that doing so would create additional scrutiny and lingering distractions for our program. Taking all this into consideration, we have come to this mutual decision to separate. I will always be grateful for the relationships formed with so many players, coaches and WVU supporters. I am not done coaching. I remain passionate about leading young men and look forward to the next coaching chapter in my life. I wish nothing but the best for all Mountaineers.”
West Virginia head coach Neal Brown also issued a statement following the news that his defensive coordinator, who followed him from Troy to West Virginia, is gone from the program:
“As I’ve stated previously, I care deeply about Vic and every player, coach, staff member, and administrator who touches our program. This decision was not made lightly and both parties agree that it places us in the best position to positively move forward. Vic has meant a lot to this program over the past 18 months and to me, personally, for our time together both here and at Troy University. I know that Vic will find continued success as a coach.
“However, Vic and I both reached the conclusion that the current circumstances make continuing in his role as Defensive Coordinator challenging. At the end of the day, we all – Vic included – want what is best for our program.”
Now the Mountaineers will head into camp down a coordinator.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
