Bill Kirelawich - Football Coach - West Virginia University Athletics

Bill Kirelawich

Title:
Defensive Line
Phone:
(304) 293-4194

Defensive Line Coach

Birthday: October 20
Hometown: Frackville, Pa.
Education: Bachelor’s degree (Salem, ’69)
Family: Wife – Maggie, Children – Miki, Billy and Jake
Year at West Virginia: 31
Year in Coaching: 31

Playing Career

Standout linebacker at Salem College under current administrative assistant Donnie Young

Senior captain who led the Tigers to an 8-1 record and a Top 20 NAIA national ranking.

His 89-yard interception return still stands as a school record

Coaching Career
2003-08: West Virginia (defensive line)
2001-02: West Virginia (administrative assistant)
1991-00: West Virginia (defensive line)
1988-90: West Virginia (outside linebackers)
1980-87: West Virginia (defensive line)
1979: West Virginia (part-time)
1970-78: Cardinal Brennan (Pa.) HS (Head Coach)

Bowl Experience (20)
2008 – Care Care
2008 – Fiesta
2007 – Gator
2006 – Sugar
2005 – Gator
2004 – Gator
2002 – Continental Tire
2000 – Music City
1998 - Insight.com
1997 – Carquest
1997 – Gator
1995 – Carquest
1994 – Sugar
1989 – Gator
1989 – Fiesta
1987 – Sun
1984 – Bluebonnet
1983 – Hall of Fame
1982 – Gator
1981 – Peach

Coaching Highlights

Has 30 years of collegiate coaching experience with 19 bowl appearances

West Virginia

In 2008, WVU defense ranked No. 11 in scoring defense and No. 16 in turnover margin.

In 2007, WVU defense ranked No. 7 in total defense, No. 8 in scoring defense, No. 9 in turnover margin and No. 18 in rushing defense.

The 2006 defense ranked No. 13 nationally in rushing defense and No. 25 in turnover margin

The 2005 defense ranked No. 19 in rushing defense, No. 7 in turnover margin, No. 15 in total defense and No. 13 in scoring defense

The defense ranked No. 4 in turnover margin in 2002 and 2003

In 1996, the Mountaineer defense was ranked No. 1 nationally in total defense, No. 2 in rushing defense and turnover margin and No. 4 in scoring defense

His lines have helped the Mountaineer defense lead the BIG EAST in rushing defense four times and scoring defense four times

He has coached eight first-team All-BIG EAST selections, including the last three years and seven second-team honorees

High School

While coaching at Cardinal Brennan, he had nine players sign scholarships at D I-A schools

His 1975 team was ranked No. 10 in the state.

Professional Players

West Virginia: Lonnie Brockman (DL), John Browning (DL), Todd Campbell (DL), Johnny Dingle (DL), Keilen Dykes (DL), Mike Fox (DL), David Grant (DL), Jim Merritts (DL), Chris Parker (DL), Henry Slay (DL), Renaldo Turnbull (LB), John Thornton (DL)

All-American Players

West Virginia:Johnny Dingle (DL) John Thornton (DL), Henry Slay (DL)

All-Conference/All-East Players

West Virginia: Scooter Berry (DL/2008), Todd Campbell (DL/1981-82), Johnny Dingle (DL/2007), Keilen Dykes (DL/2006-07), Theron Ellis (DL/1990), Mike Fox (DL), David Grant (DL/1986-87), Jim Gray (DL/1991), Barry Hawkins (DL/1993- 94), Brad Hunt (DL/1986-87), Ernest Hunter (DL/2005), Ben Lynch (DL/2004), Jim Merritts (DL/1983), Dave Oblak (DL/1983), Chris Parker (DL/1986-87), Henry Slay (DL/1995-96-97), John Thornton (DL/1997- 98), Renaldo Turnbull (LB/1988-89).

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