Matt Caponi has been the safeties coach for the Mountaineers since he arrived in Morgantown in January 2016.  
 
He came to West Virginia after serving as the safeties coach at Arizona for four years, first as a graduate assistant in 2012 and the past three years as a full-time coach. He rejoined defensive coordinator Tony Gibson after spending the 2011 season with him on the defensive staff at Pitt and the 2012 staff at Arizona.
 
The 2017 defense ranked No. 16 nationally in most defensive three-and-outs per game and No. 24 in best third-down defense. Kyzir White, who was drafted in the fourth round of the NFL Draft by San Diego, was named an All-American Honorable Mention selection and an All-Big 12 Conference Second Team honoree. He tied for No. 7 in the Big 12 in tackles.
 
In his first year at WVU, the defense ranked No. 24 nationally in fumbles recovered (11) and turnovers gained (25) and No. 35 in pass interceptions (14) and scoring defense (24.0). In Big 12 games, WVU’s defense was No. 1 in scoring defense, total defense and fewest opponent first downs, No. 2 in rushing defense land No. 3 in third-down defense. White was named All-Big 12 Conference Second Team by ESPN.com.
 
In 2014, he coached All-Pac 12 honoree Jared Tevis, who finished second on the team in tackles and fourth in the conference with 120. He also had nine tackles for loss, two interceptions, four pass breakups and two forced fumbles.
 
In 2013, Arizona safeties accounted for almost one-third of the Wildcats’ total tackles and had five interception returns for touchdowns, tied for most among FBS schools. The UA defense had 18 interceptions, the most since totaling 16 in 2008.
 
Prior to Arizona, he spent one year as a graduate assistant at Pitt (2011) and was the defensive coordinator at Washington & Jefferson for three years (2008-11).
 
At W&J, Caponi worked with the linebackers in 2010 and oversaw the secondary for three years (2006-09). While he was on staff in 2008, the Presidents advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA National Tournament.
 
He started his coaching career in 2004 as a student assistant at Mount Union and was the JV Coordinator and linebackers coach in 2005.
 
Caponi played for national powerhouse Mount Union, helping the Raiders to a 55-1 record and three NCAA Division III national championships. He was a team captain, a starting safety and earned second team all-conference honors as a senior.
 
The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native graduated from Mount Union with a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 2005. 
 
He and his wife, the former Kathleen Coyne, have a son, Salvatore.