Chip West Named Assistant Recruiting Coordinator at Virginia
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Charlottesville, VA – Virginia head football coach Mike London announced today that cornerbacks coach Chip West has added the role of assistant recruiting coordinator to his responsibilities. Jeff Hanson, the Cavaliers’ defensive line coach, is the program’s recruiting coordinator.
West has helped Virginia land back-to-back recruiting classes that have been ranked among the top 30 in the nation. West is responsible for recruiting the Tidewater/Peninsula area in Virginia and the eastern half of North Carolina.
West was recently named the Atlantic Coast Conference’s recruiter of the year for 2011 by 247Sports and was one eight finalists for the organization’s national recruiter of the year honor.
“Our entire staff has done an outstanding job of developing relationships, explaining our philosophy and mission and finding young men that fit into the type of program we are building at Virginia,” London said. “Chip has drawn a lot of attention for his efforts in the Tidewater area. Historically, it has been an area in our state that has produced a number of outstanding high school student-athletes who have gone on to have very good college careers. Some have been fortunate to continue playing at the professional level.
“It is a tough region to recruit because of the recognition it receives and the large number of universities who have made a commitment of their resources to be active in that area. Chip is a relationship builder and someone who is well respected in the Peninsula because of all the time he has worked and coached football there. He represents the University well and I’m pleased to add this title to responsibilities.”
West joined the Virginia football staff in 2010 and has coached a pair of All-Americans in his first two seasons. Senior cornerback Chase Minnifield was named All-ACC during both of the seasons he played for West and picked up All-America honors in 2010 and 2011. At the same time, true freshman Demetrious Nicholson was named a freshman All-American following last season. West also coached Ras-I Dowling, a second round pick of the New England Patriots, during the 2010 season.
A native of Hampton, Va., West came to UVa after serving on the staff at Old Dominion in 2009, the Monarchs’ first season as a FCS program. He worked at James Madison from 2004 to 2006 in his other stint coaching college football in the Commonwealth.