Chris West enters his first season as the defensive line coach for the Statesmen. West joins the #DSUFamily after a stint as the defensive line coach at NCAA Division III Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala.
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While at Huntingdon, West helped coach the team to a 2019 USA South Conference Championship and also coached a USA South All-Region defensive lineman. West was in charge of recruiting the Birmingham, Mobile, and Atlanta areas in Alabama and Georgia, respectively.
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Before arriving at Huntingdon, West spent one season at Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs, Ga., where he was the varsity defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator. West also spent two seasons as an assistant coach at fellow Gulf South Conference institution Valdosta State under head coach Kerwin Bell.
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While with the Blazers, West worked with the defensive linemen and was the junior college recruiting coordinator. He was responsible for organizing and scouting junior college athletes for the football staff, and broke down opponent game film. He also served as the Academic Counselor for the defensive team.
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Under West’s leadership, VSU’s defense ranked first in NCAA Division II in interceptions with 27 and third in the country in takeaways (34) and third down conversion defense (25 percent). That defensive unit was also first in the GSC in 1st downs allowed and third in third down conversion defense.
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West has a Bachelor’s in Interdisciplinary Studies from Valdosta State and was also involved with the school’s communications and radio program.
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