: Darryl Talley Nominated to WVU as New Manager and Active Coach — “ ”
In a powerful and emotional return, West Virginia University has officially announced the appointment of Mountaineer legend Darryl Talley as the program’s new football manager and active defensive coach, signaling a dramatic shift in tone, purpose, and pride within the halls of Milan Puskar Stadium.
Talley, a former two-time All-American linebacker at WVU and NFL icon with the Buffalo Bills, had long been a symbol of the university’s golden age of grit and greatness. Now, at 64, he’s not coming back for a ceremony—he’s coming back to work. “ ,” Talley declared at the packed press conference inside the Touchdown Terrace, his signature intensity untouched by the years.
University President Gordon Gee called the move “a turning point,” emphasizing that WVU’s decision to bring Talley back wasn’t about nostalgia, but resurgence. “Darryl Talley is not just a Mountaineer hero. He’s a builder, a fighter, a teacher of toughness. This isn’t a symbolic gesture—this is a strategy.”
Talley’s title—Manager of Football Operations and Defensive Culture Coach—is as bold as the man himself. His return places him directly alongside the current coaching staff, with special authority over linebacker development, defensive philosophy, and player accountability.
Head Coach Chad Scott welcomed him with open arms. “Darryl brings fire, wisdom, and presence that you can’t replicate. He’s a living link to our legacy—and a weapon for our future.”
Already, Talley has met with the team. And it was electric. According to linebacker Devin Moore, “It felt like meeting a superhero—except he shook your hand, then called you out for bad posture. He’s all in. And now we have to be too.”
Behind the scenes, Talley has been quietly watching WVU’s ups and downs for years, occasionally voicing frustrations and hopes in alumni circles. But sources close to him say the time is now right—not just for him, but for the program he bled for.
“This is about finishing something,” Talley said. “We’ve let too many seasons go by without that Mountaineer identity. I’m not here to coast—I’m here to compete. I want these kids to know what it feels like to walk into any stadium and own it.”
Talley’s new office overlooks Mountaineer Field. But don’t expect him to spend much time there. Already, players report seeing him in the weight room at 5:30 AM and walking the defensive line drills by 7. It’s not a retirement gig. It’s a mission.
And if Darryl Talley has anything to say about it, WVU football is about to remember who it is.
