West Virginia defensive coordinator Zac Alley wrapped up his first spring in charge of the Mountaineers’ defense with a realistic outlook: yes, there’s been growth — but there’s still a long way to go.
After 15 spring practices, Alley was encouraged by the shift in mentality and culture on the defensive side of the ball. But with a group still recovering from last season’s struggles, he knows the foundation needs to keep strengthening.
“We got better from practice one to today,” Alley said. “I saw the culture, the mindset, the shift that we’re looking for. Guys are starting to buy into what it takes — playing with a hard edge and a relentless mentality. I’m proud of that, but we have to keep building if we want to be successful.”
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A Tough Rebuild in Motion
Taking over one of the Big 12’s lowest-ranked defenses from 2024, Alley focused this spring on two core values: toughness and physicality. The goal wasn’t just executing schemes — it was finding players who could bring intensity from the first snap to the last.
“We wanted to see who would play hard and physical for a full game,” he explained. “Some guys showed that. Others didn’t. That’s something we’ll fix through film and continue improving this summer.”
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Turnovers Still a Work in Progress
A big area where Alley still sees concern is creating turnovers. The defense aimed to force three per practice, but often fell short — including during the Gold-Blue Showcase.
“We forced a fumble on one of the early series, and eight guys were around it. Nobody got the ball,” he said. “We’re still learning to push through when it’s tough. In the fourth quarter, when the game’s on the line, we need to be the ones who finish stronger.”
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Communication Shows Promise, But Discipline Needs Work
One area that did show clear improvement was communication. Throughout spring, Alley pushed for vocal leadership and defensive clarity on the field.
“A quiet defense is a dead defense. You can’t win like that,” he said. “We’ve made progress in talking, getting lined up, and executing the calls.”
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Still, lapses in discipline — like offside penalties on fourth down — were a frustrating takeaway from the final scrimmage.
The Focus Now: Situational Intelligence
As the Mountaineers head into the summer, Alley is turning his focus to the finer details — football IQ and situational awareness. Teaching players to understand the why behind each call is just as critical as learning the how.
“We’re teaching the game,” Alley said. “Understanding situations, football intelligence, and anticipating what’s coming — that’s where we’ve got to catch up. We need everyone on the same page, fast.”
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While Zac Alley is encouraged by the steps taken this spring, he knows it’s only the beginning. With summer workouts and fall camp on the horizon, the message is clear: progress is good — but consistency and discipline will define the 2025 season.
