The final defensive coaching vacancy on Todd Graham's staff has seemingly been filled, as the Albuquerque Journal reports that New Mexico defensive coordinator Ron West has accepted an offer to become Arizona State's co-defensive coordinator. This will be West's second stint as a co-defensive coordinator under Graham.
West was only a Lobo for less than a month, having joined new coach Bob Davie's staff in late of January.
Prior to his fortnight in Albuquerque, West served for two seasons as the linebackers coach at Illinois. He helped turn around an average defense into one of the nation's top units this past year, as the Illini ranked 7th in total defense and 3rd against the pass. With ASU moving to a more aggressive and attacking defensive style, Sun Devil fans will be pleased to know that Illinois ranked No. 6 in the nation in sacks (3.15 per game) and 4th in tackles for loss (7.92 per game).
In 2009, West was Graham's co-defensive coordinator at Tulsa. Prior to that, he spent 10 years at his alma mater Clemson, where he played offensive line during the 1977 and 1978 seasons. Returning to Clemson, he was the offensive line coach from 1998 to 2002 before moving over to coach the linebackers for the final five seasons of his tenure.
He began his coaching career with stops at West Alabama, North Texas and Texas Tech as a position coach before becoming Louisiana-Lafayette's defensive coordinator for seven years. West then coached offensive lines at Baylor for four seasons and Tulane before his time at Clemson.
At ASU, he will serve as co-defensive coordinator alongside Paul Randolph.
West's hiring would have completed Graham's staff, but last week running backs coach Chris Thomsen left Tempe to take over the offensive line coaching duties at Texas Tech.
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