MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University football coach Dana Holgorsen has announced the hiring of Doug Belk as the Mountaineers’ cornerbacks coach.
“We would like to welcome Doug to the West Virginia football program,” Holgorsen said. “He comes highly recommended and brings several years of successful secondary experience at high-level programs. He will be a great addition to our staff.”
Belk comes to West Virginia after serving as the defensive graduate assistant coach at Alabama since 2014, working with the defensive backs. He worked directly with coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinators Kirby Smart and Jeremy Pruitt, assisting with all aspects of the defensive secondary as well as with special teams.
“I’m excited to come to West Virginia University and be a part of a program that does an outstanding job of developing players and has a great winning tradition,” Belk said. “I want to thank Coach Holgorsen and Coach Gibson for giving me this opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff and the Mountaineer football program and to contribute to the program’s continued success.”
During his tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide was 40-4, earning three College Football Playoff appearances, winning the 2015 National Championship, finishing as national runner-up in 2016 and winning three Southeastern Conference titles (2014-16).
The 2016 defense was No. 1 nationally in scoring defense and No. 2 in total defense. The unit also was No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the SEC in pass efficiency defense, No. 14 in interceptions and No. 24 in passing yards allowed. Belk helped develop cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, who earned consensus All-American honors, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who earned All-America First-Team honors and safety Eddie Jackson, who was an All-SEC First-Team member.
The 2015 defense was No. 3 nationally in scoring defense and total defense, No. 10 in interceptions and No. 30 in passing yards allowed. Jackson earned All-America honors, while Fitzpatrick and Humphrey were named to freshman All-American teams. Cornerback Cyrus Jones was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants.
The 2014 defense was No. 6 nationally in scoring defense and No. 12 nationally in total defense. Belk helped develop Landon Collins, who finished his senior season as a unanimous All-American selection and was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round.
Prior to Alabama, Belk was the defensive secondary coach at Valdosta State in 2012-13. He was a defensive assistant and worked with special teams in 2011. During his tenure, Valdosta State produced a 24-10 record and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2012. Belk helped develop two All-Americans, two Academic All-Americans and three All-Gulf South Conference selections. Cornerbacks Dominique Wheeler and Matt Pierce signed free agent contracts in the NFL with Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, respectively.
A native of Valdosta, Georgia, Belk earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information and business management from Carson-Newman in 2010 and his master’s degree in sport management from Alabama in 2015.
“We would like to welcome Doug to the West Virginia football program,” Holgorsen said. “He comes highly recommended and brings several years of successful secondary experience at high-level programs. He will be a great addition to our staff.”
Belk comes to West Virginia after serving as the defensive graduate assistant coach at Alabama since 2014, working with the defensive backs. He worked directly with coach Nick Saban and defensive coordinators Kirby Smart and Jeremy Pruitt, assisting with all aspects of the defensive secondary as well as with special teams.
“I’m excited to come to West Virginia University and be a part of a program that does an outstanding job of developing players and has a great winning tradition,” Belk said. “I want to thank Coach Holgorsen and Coach Gibson for giving me this opportunity to be a part of the coaching staff and the Mountaineer football program and to contribute to the program’s continued success.”
During his tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide was 40-4, earning three College Football Playoff appearances, winning the 2015 National Championship, finishing as national runner-up in 2016 and winning three Southeastern Conference titles (2014-16).
The 2016 defense was No. 1 nationally in scoring defense and No. 2 in total defense. The unit also was No. 9 nationally and No. 2 in the SEC in pass efficiency defense, No. 14 in interceptions and No. 24 in passing yards allowed. Belk helped develop cornerback Minkah Fitzpatrick, who earned consensus All-American honors, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who earned All-America First-Team honors and safety Eddie Jackson, who was an All-SEC First-Team member.
The 2015 defense was No. 3 nationally in scoring defense and total defense, No. 10 in interceptions and No. 30 in passing yards allowed. Jackson earned All-America honors, while Fitzpatrick and Humphrey were named to freshman All-American teams. Cornerback Cyrus Jones was drafted in the second round by the New York Giants.
The 2014 defense was No. 6 nationally in scoring defense and No. 12 nationally in total defense. Belk helped develop Landon Collins, who finished his senior season as a unanimous All-American selection and was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round.
Prior to Alabama, Belk was the defensive secondary coach at Valdosta State in 2012-13. He was a defensive assistant and worked with special teams in 2011. During his tenure, Valdosta State produced a 24-10 record and won the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2012. Belk helped develop two All-Americans, two Academic All-Americans and three All-Gulf South Conference selections. Cornerbacks Dominique Wheeler and Matt Pierce signed free agent contracts in the NFL with Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, respectively.
A native of Valdosta, Georgia, Belk earned his bachelor’s degree in computer information and business management from Carson-Newman in 2010 and his master’s degree in sport management from Alabama in 2015.
