West Virginia

Sooners Perspective: Zac Alley

Published

3 days ago

December 30, 2024

West Virginia was able to hire Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Zac Alley for the defensive coordinator role at West Virginia. So, we asked our Oklahoma site about his time in Norman and what the Mountaineers can expect.

What can you expect from the new defensive coordinator? Well, we contacted an authority on the subject in OUInsider.com writer Jesse Crittenden.

1. How was Zac Alley received during his lone year in Norman? What are some of the qualities that make him stand out as a coach?

How was Zac Alley received during his lone year in Norman? What are some of the qualities that make him stand out as a coach? There was certainly a ton of excitement for Zach Alley when he arrived in Norman, and he largely lived up to the billing. A lot of that was Oklahoma-specific — he is Brent Venables’ protege and was often described as a “Venables clone.” But the biggest thing is that he broke the idea that the defensive coordinator is largely irrelevant under Venables.

The biggest thing is that he’s a players coach, and a lot of that is his age. He’s really not much older than the players he’s coaching, and while some could see that as a negative, for him it’s largely a positive.

2. The Oklahoma defense was a bright spot this season. What made it stand out?

Oklahoma took huge steps forward in essentially every aspect, but the most noticeable impact was the rushing defense. The Sooners ranked inside the top 15 in both yards allowed and yards per carry for essentially the entire season. They were particularly adept at limiting mobile quarterbacks. Nico lamaleava, LaNorris Sellers, and Jalen Milton were all stifled on the ground.

3. How does he call a defense? Is he aggressive, etc?

Alley’s defense was all gas and no breaks, and that’s not just limited to Oklahoma. But the Sooners were among the nation’s best at tackles for loss and sacks, and their turnover rate was fantastic through the first six weeks.

Alley isn’t one to play it safe. He wants to keep offenses off balance with shifting formations while dialing up pressure from unexpected places.

4. What type of scheme does he use and what can West Virginia fans expect?

Oklahoma almost always plays with four defensive linemen and three linebackers, though the Sooners sid experiment with some three-man fronts at time this season. Venables’ (and Alley’s) defense is also known for utilizing the “cheetah” position, which is a hybrid of linebacker and defensive back. The cheetah can line up on the line, at linebacker, as a cornerback or even as a safety on any given play. It’ll be interesting to see if Alley brings that to West Virginia.

5. Any other thoughts you have on him as a coach?

Zac is a really personable coach, and he’s certainly one of the promising up-and-coming people in college football. His departure hurts Oklahoma, and he’ll give West Virginia an elite young coach who can be part of the future moving forward.

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West Virginia

QB Marchiol gives West Virginia a good starting point

Published

4 hours ago

January 2, 2025

Press Room

QB Marchiol gives West Virginia a good starting point

The transfer portal certainly hit West Virginia after the departure of former head coach Neal Brown.

The Mountaineers had a total of 20 players enter their names into the database during the open window with some key names among that list such as linebacker Josiah Trotter, offensive lineman Tomas Rimac, running back CJ Donaldson, wide receiver Hudson Clement, linebacker Trey Lathan, wide receiver Traylon Ray, offensive lineman Johnny Williams and wide receiver Ric’Darious Farmer are just a few of the names that elected to exit the program with the coaching change.

But the Mountaineers did receive some good news for the first season under new head coach Rich Rodriguez with redshirt junior quarterback Nicco Marchiol announcing his decision to return. While it could be assumed with the transfer portal deadline set to pass, it’s significant announcement.

Marchiol has spent three years with the program which has been spent mostly as a backup to Garrett Greene but has fared well when given the opportunity. Marchiol has spent three years in the program and to date has completed 71-122 passes with 8 touchdowns and 5 interceptions.

He also has rushed for 285 yards and 3 scores.

“I’m honored to be back for 2025. Ready to finish what I came here to do – win games and help restore the pride and glory that this incredible community deserves,” Marchiol wrote.

Getting Marchiol back is a key start to the off-season as Rodriguez looks to build his roster heading into the 2025 campaign. The signal caller is a former four-star prospect that has waited his turn and developed tremendously during his time on campus.

The progression was obvious in his play on the field from when he was first thrust into the starting role in winning games against Pittsburgh and Texas Tech in 2023 to what unfolded in 2024. Again, injury to Greene forced Marchiol to step up as the starter and he led the Mountaineers to a 2-0 record with wins over Arizona and Cincinnati. He also played well on the road at Oklahoma State.

In the two starts, Marchiol completed 27-37 passes for 354 yards with 3 touchdowns and one interception. And even that pick was one that wasn’t necessarily on him.

This season, West Virginia was able to call the entire offense with Marchiol in the game as opposed to a condensed version when he was still growing as a player the year prior. It was clear he had shown progression in his understanding and execution of the offense.

“Not trying to play outside myself, play within myself. Being accurate with the football and getting the ball to the play makers and letting them be special,” Marchiol said.

Having Marchiol in place is important for the build of the roster as now it’s clear that the redshirt junior will be back and has the possibility to spend his final two years as the starter. That will have to be earned, when it comes to experience he clearly is at the top of the list with the current options.

That will continue to play out in the coming weeks and months, but the Mountaineers are bringing back a talented quarterback that has already shown the ability to win games when given the chance.

And those chances are likely to be a lot more available in 2025.

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West Virginia

West Virginia is full of wintertime fun!

Published

12 hours ago

January 1, 2025

Press Room

West Virginia is full of wintertime fun!

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (WVNS) — Wintertime usually means staying inside, cuddling by a warm fire, and enjoying a mug of hot cocoa.

Live music series to be held at Winterplace Ski Resort

But West Virginia is still packed with adventure even when the temperatures drop!

From miles and miles of gorgeous hiking trails to several ski resorts covered in fresh powder, the wintertime activities in West Virginia are plentiful.

Kenny Parker, buyer for WaterStone Outdoors, said he has his go-to favorites.

“I’m geared up for all of it so I would say it would depend on conditions, right? If it’s a cold, sunny day, rock-climbing would be the thing to do, you know, for me. If it’s been dry, you know, relatively but it’s cold, mountain biking is excellent around here, so,” said Parker.

Parker said for the daring and dedicated there’s always kayaking one of southern West Virginia’s rivers as well.

He said no matter what the season or the weather, there’s always a stellar activity ready for you in West Virginia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.

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West Virginia

Where West Virginia Sits in NET Rankings Following Win Over No. 7 Kansas

Published

20 hours ago

January 1, 2025

Press Room

Where West Virginia Sits in NET Rankings Following Win Over No. 7 Kansas

Darian DeVries has won over a lot of West Virginia fans since he took the job last March but after Tuesday afternoon’s win over No. 7 Kansas, I’m pretty sure 100% of Mountaineer Nation is on board with the hire.

The Mountaineers were 0-11 all-time at Kansas before yesterday, and that was with a Hall of Fame coach in Bob Huggins, who had top-10 and top-25 teams that were much deeper than this year’s group. What’s more impressive about the win is how WVU had to endure travel issues and were down two of their best three players, Tucker DeVries and Amani Hansberry.

With the win, West Virginia moved up six spots in the NCAA’s NET rankings, going from No. 35 to No. 29. They are also 3-1 in Quad 1 games, which positions them nicely to make the NCAA Tournament, barring some sort of epic collapse in Big 12 Conference play.

“What is happening with this team is they’re starting to grow in confidence, and confidence is a very dangerous thing for people,” DeVries said in his postgame radio interview with Tony Caridi. “All of a sudden, now you can start to achieve some things that nobody else thought possible. Like I told them in the locker room, ‘There was anybody, very few at least, outside of this locker room, considering the injuries and things that probably thought we were coming in here and winning today.’ But that group in that locker room did, and they believed in it. And that’s what I think I love about this group.”

West Virginia will return home Saturday to face Oklahoma State at noon EST.