West Virginia University and defensive coordinator Vic Koenning cut ties Wednesday after an investigation into allegations he mistreated players and made inappropriate comments in their presence.
Sophomore safety Kerry Martin Jr. initially made the charges last month on Twitter.
Here's what Kerry Martin posted today. AD Shane Lyons thanked him in a statement for "having the courage to bring his concerns to light." https://t.co/fPEa5EyM0p
— Max Olson (@max_olson) June 23, 2020
“I’ve been contemplating about posting,” Martin wrote. “But we need a change in our program.”
Martin also wrote that Koenning called him “retarded” after he made a mistake in a team workout.
“I have family members who are mentally ill,” Martin wrote, “and for him to say that hurt me.”
Martin said he met with West Virginia coach Neal Brown about Koenning’s comments that, he said, also included inappropriate comments about religion, politics and the recent demonstrations on racism and police brutality.
West Virginia officials announced in a release that Koenning and the university have “mutually agreed to separate.” Koenning had two seasons remaining on his contract at a value of $1,074,059, the university said. The separation agreement calls for Koenning to be paid $591,451 over the next 19 months.
Koenning came to West Virginia in 2019 with coach Neal Brown after they had previously worked together at Troy.
“I remain apologetic to anyone who perceived something I said or did as hurtful,” Koenning said in a statement. “That was never my intent.
“I wish to thank all the current and former players, coaches and colleagues — of all different ethnicities and backgrounds — whose support and encouragement have been invaluable to me and my family.
“I am relieved the process is over but will be forever changed by the experience. Personally, I’d love to get back to coaching our guys, but I know that doing so would create additional scrutiny and lingering distractions for our program. Taking all this into consideration, we have come to this mutual decision to separate. I will always be grateful for the relationships formed with so many players, coaches and WVU supporters.
“I am not done coaching. I remain passionate about leading young men and look forward to the next coaching chapter in my life. I wish nothing but the best for all Mountaineers.”
West Virginia Director of Athletics and Associate Vice President Shane Lyons said, also in a statement, that the separation is in the best interests of the football program.
“Coach Brown and I have set high expectations for our coaches, staff and student-athletes, and it is that culture that will allow us to compete for championships.
“We are moving forward as a program and our coaches, staff and student-athletes have my complete confidence and support.”
Brown said the decision was not an easy one.
“As I’ve stated previously, I care deeply about Vic and every player, coach, staff member, and administrator who touches our program,” Brown said in a statement.
“This decision was not made lightly and both parties agree that it places us in the best position to positively move forward.
“Vic has meant a lot to this program over the past 18 months and to me, personally, for our time together both here and at Troy University. I know that Vic will find continued success as a coach.
“However, Vic and I both reached the conclusion that the current circumstances make continuing in his role as defensive coordinator challenging. At the end of the day, we all — Vic included — want what is best for our program.”
