Coach Chris West enters his first season with the Phoenix in 2025.
"Chris West is an experienced defensive line coach who has been able to build a strong culture in his position group and brings a deep toolbox of skills and knowledge to our program," said head coach
Tony Trisciani. "The job they did at Columbia transforming their defense from 2022-24 was impressive and Chris played a big role in that turnaround. We are excited to welcome Chris, his wife Patrice and sons Khalil and Khamani to our Elon Football family."
West joins the Phoenix staff after three seasons at the FCS level. Before he spent time at North Carolina A&T in 2024, West was the defensive line coach at Columbia in 2022 and 2023. In 2023, he helped lead a defensive unit that ranked first in the Ivy League in defensive touchdowns and redzone defense. The Lions finished in the top 30 of the FCS in both rushing defense (20
th) and total defense (29
th) during his final season at Columbia.
"Chris was a vital part of our success on defense. In his two seasons at Columbia, he was able to maximize the development of his players to provide our defense with depth and production at the defensive line position," said Columbia University defensive coordinator Justin Stoval. "He was instrumental in our game planning and defensive scheme as well as in game adjustments. Any defensive coordinator would be lucky to have Chris as part of their staff."
In West's first season overseeing the Lion's defensive line, the group registered 146 total tackles. His unit also had 26 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and an interception. Sophomore Justin Townsend earned second-team All-Ivy honors for his performance in 2022, finishing the season with 28 tackles, 9.5 TFL, and six sacks. Columbia's defense finished the season ranked fifth in the FCS in rushing defense, as the Lions gave up an average of just 3.17 yards per rush.
Before his time at Columbia, he spent time at Delta State, Huntingdon College and at his alma mater Valdosta State. West graduated from Valdosta State with a bachelor's degree in multi/interdisciplinary studies in 2016, where he played football and was also involved with the school's communications department.
