Recruiting Areas –Western Georgia, Maryland, Virginia, Washington D.C., Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama
Christopher West enters his second season on the Columbia football coaching staff as its defensive line coach.
In West’s first season overseeing the 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 as he finished the season with 28 tackles, 9.5 TFL and six sacks.
The Columbia 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.
West joins the Columbia staff after spending two seasons as the Defensive Line Coach at NCAA Division II Delta State University. In 2021, West helped guide Delta State to a successful defensive performance as the Statesmen finished the year with 98 tackles for loss and 27 sacks. Under West’s tutelage, defensive lineman Tim Williams, Jr., earned First Team All-Gulf South Conference honors after posting 40 tackles, 10 tackles behind the line of scrimmage (3rd GSC), 7.5 sacks (4th GSC), six solo sacks (4th GSC), and 1.05 tackles for loss per contest (1.05).
West moved to Delta State after spending two years as the Defensive Line coach at NCAA Division III Huntingdon College in Montgomery, Ala. (2019-20), While at Huntingdon, West helped coach the team to a 2019 USA South Conference Championship and also coached a USA South All-Region defensive lineman DeAnte’ Griffith. West was in charge of recruiting the Birmingham, Mobile, and Atlanta areas in Alabama and Georgia, respectively.
Before arriving at Huntingdon, West spent one season at Riverwood International Charter School in Sandy Springs, Ga., where he was the varsity defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator in 2018.
West also spent two seasons (2016-17) as an assistant coach at his alma mater Valdosta State under head coach Kerwin Bell. While with the Blazers, West worked with the defensive linemen and was the junior college recruiting coordinator. He was responsible for organizing and scouting junior college athletes for the football staff, and broke down opponent game film. He also served as the Academic Counselor for the defensive team.
Under West’s leadership, VSU’s defense ranked first in NCAA Division II in interceptions with 27 and third in the country in takeaways (34) and third down conversion defense (25 percent). That defensive unit was also first in the GSC in 1st downs allowed and third in third down conversion defense.
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 and radio program.
THE CHRISTOPHER WEST FILE
Birthdate: April 24
Hometown: Washington D.C./Atlanta, Ga.
Education
Bachelor of Arts, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Valdosta State University, 2016
Coaching Career
Defensive Line Coach, Columbia University, 2022-current
Defensive Line Coach, Delta State University, 2020-21
Defensive Line Coach/Co-Defensive Coordinator, Huntingdon College, 2018-20
Defensive Line Coach, Riverwood International Charter School, 2017-18
Defensive Line Coach/JUCO Recruiting Coordinator, Valdosta State University, 2015-17
