Football
West, Chip
Chip West
- Title:
- Assistant Coach, Cornerbacks
- Email:
- westm@wfu.edu
Chip West, who was hired in Feb. 2023 and is a veteran defensive coach with a wealth of experience, is set to enter his second season on the Wake Forest football staff as the Demon Deacons cornerbacks coach in 2024.
With the addition of West to the staff, Wake Forest took a major step forward on the defensive side of the ball in 2023.
Through the regular season, the Demon Deacons have been one of the best defenses in the country, receiving an overall grade of 84.8 from PFF which ranks 45th nationally. Additionally, PFF has the Deacs ranked in the top-50 in run defense (82.4).
Wake Forest has been one of the best teams in the country in redzone defense as the Deacs are tied for 22nd nationally with just 76.9 percent of opponent redzone trips resulting in a score. Additionally just 20 of the 39 opponent red zone tries (51.3 pct.) ended in a touchdown.
The Wake Forest defense made a staple of getting off the field early in drives with 43 3-and-outs. Overall for the season, Wake Forest has forced its opponents into three-and-outs on 28.5 percent of opponents drives (43-of-142).
West came to Winston-Salem with over 25 years of college coaching experience and spent the previous three seasons as the cornerbacks coach at Syracuse. During his time in Upstate New York, every starting cornerback for the Orange earned All-ACC honors and he mentioned a pair of Freshman All-Americans and one NFL Draftee.
Prior to his time at Syracuse, West spent the 2019 season at Marshall where the Thundering Herd posted an 8-5 record and earned a berth in the Gasparilla Bowl. He mentored 2019 All-Conference USA First Team honoree Chris Jackson, who finished his career as Marshall’s all-time leader in pass breakups, and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Prior to his time in Huntington, W.V., West was the co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Charlotte in 2018 and held the same positions at Howard University in 2017. At Charlotte, West helped run a 49ers unit that ranked second nationally in first downs allowed (197), ninth in rushing defense (105.7 ypg.) and 22nd in total defense (337.3 ypg.).
From 2010-15, West worked as the cornerbacks coach at Virginia. He guided the careers of multiple Cavaliers who went on to the NFL and made his mark on the recruiting trail. A multi-time ACC Recruiter of the Year by various media outlets, West spearheaded an effort that landed the Cavaliers numerous highly-rated prospects during his six seasons in Charlottesville. That included two of the nation’s top-10 recruits.
Overall, Virginia signed three top-30 classes with West on staff.
As effective as West was on the recruiting circuit, he was equally as successful as a position coach for the Cavaliers. West mentored two-time All-ACC First Team selection Chase Minnifield, who played in the NFL with Washington. He also coached New York Jets cornerback Maurice Canaday and Ras-I Dowling, who was a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. The Virginia secondary also featured Rodney McLeod, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A Hampton, Virginia native, West was the assistant head coach, defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Old Dominion for three seasons (2007-09) before joining the Virginia staff. In 2009, ODU went 9-2 in its first season as an FCS program.
Before his stop at Old Dominion, West coached at James Madison from 2004-2006. He oversaw the JMU defensive backs, most notably developing free safety Tony LeZotte, a 2005 All-American and the Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The Dukes won the Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship in 2004 – West’s first season on staff – and finished 13-2. In 2006, JMU returned to the FCS playoffs, losing in the first round at Youngstown State.
In 2003 on Coach Clawson’s staff at Fordham, West served as the defensive backs coach when the Rams were 9-3. His first full-time coaching assignment was as wide receiver coach at Colgate for four years (1999-2002). The Raiders shared the 2002 Patriot League title, posting a 9-3 overall record and a 6-1 league mark. Colgate led the Patriot League that season in total offense, averaging 392.5 yards per game, including 215 yards a game passing. In 1999, Colgate won the Patriot League title and reached the Division I-AA playoffs.
West began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at West Virginia from 1997-98. He worked with the defense and was part of the staff that helped the Mountaineers earn invitations to the Carquest and Insight.com bowls.
A great player at Kecoughtan High School (Va.), West was also a standout wide receiver at Livingstone College. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Livingstone in 1993 and earned a master’s degree in physical education from West Virginia in 1999.
West and his wife, Patrice, are the parents of five children – Zoe, David, Gwen, Justin and Jada.
Wake Forest (2023-present)
Coaching History
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
With the addition of West to the staff, Wake Forest took a major step forward on the defensive side of the ball in 2023.
Through the regular season, the Demon Deacons have been one of the best defenses in the country, receiving an overall grade of 84.8 from PFF which ranks 45th nationally. Additionally, PFF has the Deacs ranked in the top-50 in run defense (82.4).
Wake Forest has been one of the best teams in the country in redzone defense as the Deacs are tied for 22nd nationally with just 76.9 percent of opponent redzone trips resulting in a score. Additionally just 20 of the 39 opponent red zone tries (51.3 pct.) ended in a touchdown.
The Wake Forest defense made a staple of getting off the field early in drives with 43 3-and-outs. Overall for the season, Wake Forest has forced its opponents into three-and-outs on 28.5 percent of opponents drives (43-of-142).
West came to Winston-Salem with over 25 years of college coaching experience and spent the previous three seasons as the cornerbacks coach at Syracuse. During his time in Upstate New York, every starting cornerback for the Orange earned All-ACC honors and he mentioned a pair of Freshman All-Americans and one NFL Draftee.
Prior to his time at Syracuse, West spent the 2019 season at Marshall where the Thundering Herd posted an 8-5 record and earned a berth in the Gasparilla Bowl. He mentored 2019 All-Conference USA First Team honoree Chris Jackson, who finished his career as Marshall’s all-time leader in pass breakups, and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Prior to his time in Huntington, W.V., West was the co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Charlotte in 2018 and held the same positions at Howard University in 2017. At Charlotte, West helped run a 49ers unit that ranked second nationally in first downs allowed (197), ninth in rushing defense (105.7 ypg.) and 22nd in total defense (337.3 ypg.).
From 2010-15, West worked as the cornerbacks coach at Virginia. He guided the careers of multiple Cavaliers who went on to the NFL and made his mark on the recruiting trail. A multi-time ACC Recruiter of the Year by various media outlets, West spearheaded an effort that landed the Cavaliers numerous highly-rated prospects during his six seasons in Charlottesville. That included two of the nation’s top-10 recruits.
Overall, Virginia signed three top-30 classes with West on staff.
As effective as West was on the recruiting circuit, he was equally as successful as a position coach for the Cavaliers. West mentored two-time All-ACC First Team selection Chase Minnifield, who played in the NFL with Washington. He also coached New York Jets cornerback Maurice Canaday and Ras-I Dowling, who was a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. The Virginia secondary also featured Rodney McLeod, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.
A Hampton, Virginia native, West was the assistant head coach, defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator at Old Dominion for three seasons (2007-09) before joining the Virginia staff. In 2009, ODU went 9-2 in its first season as an FCS program.
Before his stop at Old Dominion, West coached at James Madison from 2004-2006. He oversaw the JMU defensive backs, most notably developing free safety Tony LeZotte, a 2005 All-American and the Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year. The Dukes won the Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship in 2004 – West’s first season on staff – and finished 13-2. In 2006, JMU returned to the FCS playoffs, losing in the first round at Youngstown State.
In 2003 on Coach Clawson’s staff at Fordham, West served as the defensive backs coach when the Rams were 9-3. His first full-time coaching assignment was as wide receiver coach at Colgate for four years (1999-2002). The Raiders shared the 2002 Patriot League title, posting a 9-3 overall record and a 6-1 league mark. Colgate led the Patriot League that season in total offense, averaging 392.5 yards per game, including 215 yards a game passing. In 1999, Colgate won the Patriot League title and reached the Division I-AA playoffs.
West began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at West Virginia from 1997-98. He worked with the defense and was part of the staff that helped the Mountaineers earn invitations to the Carquest and Insight.com bowls.
A great player at Kecoughtan High School (Va.), West was also a standout wide receiver at Livingstone College. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Livingstone in 1993 and earned a master’s degree in physical education from West Virginia in 1999.
West and his wife, Patrice, are the parents of five children – Zoe, David, Gwen, Justin and Jada.
Wake Forest (2023-present)
- With the addition of West to the staff, Wake Forest took a major step forward on the defensive side of the ball in 2023.
- Through the regular season, the Demon Deacons have been one of the best defenses in the country, receiving an overall grade of 84.8 from PFF which ranks 45th nationally. Additionally, PFF has the Deacs ranked in the top-50 in run defense (82.4).
- Wake Forest has been one of the best teams in the country in redzone defense as the Deacs are tied for 22nd nationally with just 76.9 percent of opponent redzone trips resulting in a score. Additionally just 20 of the 39 opponent red zone tries (51.3 pct.) ended in a touchdown.
- The Wake Forest defense made a staple of getting off the field early in drives with 43 3-and-outs. Overall for the season, Wake Forest has forced its opponents into three-and-outs on 28.5 percent of opponents drives (43-of-142).
- West also played a key role in training top talent in defensive back Caelen Carson who was selected to participate in the Reese’s Senior Bowl after stellar careers at Wake Forest.
- Carson had his best season of his career with the help of West, allowing just 56.3 percent of throws to be completed in his direction while also having a career-best 41 tackles.
- He posted a pass breakup in three of the last five games and four total over the season.
- Carson tallied a career-best nine tackles in the win over Vanderbilt and at least one tackle in all 12 games.
- Carson had his best season of his career with the help of West, allowing just 56.3 percent of throws to be completed in his direction while also having a career-best 41 tackles.
- Da’Shawn Jones also had a breakup season as a sophomore, pulling in a team-high three interceptions to go along with 37.0 tackles.
- West was hired as Syracuse’s cornerbacks coach in February 2020 to coach corners and in his three seasons coaching the position, every starter earned All-ACC honors and he mentored a pair of Freshmen All-Americans and an NFL Draft selection.
- He was instrumental in developing one of the nation’s top cornerback tandems in freshman Garrett Williams and redshirt junior Ifeatu Melifonwu in 2020. The duo ranked first and fifth, respectively in passes defended among Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) performers. Williams earned freshman All-American recognition and was honorable mention All-ACC while Melifonwu picked up second team All-ACC from the Associated Press. Melifonwu was a third-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions.
- His 2021 tandem of Williams and Duce Chestnut ranked second and third in the ACC in passes defended, respectively, with the rookie Chestnut finishing as runner up for the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award and garnering Third Team All-ACC honors. Williams was an honorable mention selection for the second-straight season. As a whole, the defense finished in the top-20 nationally of total defense. Surrendering just 330 yards per game, it was the lowest opponent output in a decade that Syracuse had allowed.
- Despite a season-ending injury to Williams midway through the 2022 campaign, both he and Chestnut were named honorable mention All-ACC honorees, continuing West's streak of all-conference performers. Even with the injuries to the position group, the unit shined in delivering a top-ranked passing defense nationally. The Orange finished 14th nationally in passing defense (184.8) and 21st in total defense (328.6).
- In West’s one season at Marshall, the squad posted an 8-5 record and earned a berth in the Gasparilla Bowl.
- He mentored 2019 All-Conference USA First Team honoree Chris Jackson, who finished his career as Marshall’s all-time leader in pass breakups, and was selected by the Tennessee Titans in the 2020 NFL Draft.
- West was the co-defensive coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Charlotte in 2018. He helped run a 49ers unit that ranked second nationally in first downs allowed (197), ninth in rushing defense (105.7 ypg.) and 22nd in total defense (337.3 ypg.).
- UNC Charlotte won the most Conference USA games in school history with a 4-4 mark in league play. Overall, Charlotte finished the season 5-7 and eight players garnered All-Conference USA honors.
- Served as Howard’s cornerbacks coach for one season.
- Helped the Bison to a 7-4 record, including a 6-2 mark in conference play.
- Tutored rookie Bryan Cook to Second Team All-MEAC honors as he tallied three pass breakups in the Red Zone for a defense ranked fifth in the conference for redzone stops. He finished his freshman campaign with 36 tackles (28), five pass break ups, four interceptions, and a tackle for loss. Additionally, Cook was named to the Phil Steele FCS All-Conference Team for his efforts.
- From 2010-15, West worked as the cornerbacks coach at Virginia.
- He guided the careers of multiple Cavaliers who went on to the NFL and made his mark on the recruiting trail.
- In February 2014, Rivals.com and Scout.com each named West its ACC Recruiter of the Year.
- Three years prior, West was tabbed the 2011 ACC Recruiter of the Year by 247Sports.com and he was one eight finalists for the organization’s national recruiter of the year award.
- Named Virginia’s recruiting coordinator after the 2012 season,
- West spearheaded an effort that landed the Cavaliers numerous highly-rated prospects during his six seasons in Charlottesville, including two of the nation’s top-10 recruits.
- Virginia signed three top-30 classes with West on staff.
- On the field, West mentored two-time All-ACC First Team selection Chase Minnifield, who played in the NFL with Washington. He also coached New York Jets cornerback Maurice Canaday and Ras-I Dowling, who was a second-round pick in the 2011 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots. The Virginia secondary also featured Rodney McLeod, who won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles.
- In 2012, sophomore cornerback Demetrious Nicholson was an honorable mention selection to All-ACC media and coaches teams. As a freshman in 2011, he was a second-team freshman All-American.
- In 2011, Minnifield earned All-ACC honors for the second straight year while being coached by West. Minnifield ended his career with 13 interceptions. That same year, Nicholson, the state’s high school player of the year in 2010, started all 13 games, recorded two interceptions and finished fourth on the team with 60 tackles.
- West was the assistant head coach, recruiting coordinator and defensive backs coach at ODU. He was responsible for recruiting the Hampton Roads and Tidewater areas for the Monarchs.
- ODU went 9-2 in 2009 in its first season as a NCAA FCS program.
- West coached the JMU defensive backs, most notably developing free safety Tony LeZotte, a 2005 All-American and the Atlantic 10 Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
- The Dukes won the Division I-AA (now FCS) national championship in 2004 – West’s first season on staff – and finished 13-2.
- In 2006, JMU returned to the FCS playoffs, losing in the first round at Youngstown State.
- West coached the defensive backs when the Rams were 9-3 and they were ranked in the top 25 the entire season and were as high as No. 9 during that campaign.
- Coach Tad Kornegay and Will Davis to All-Patriot League honors.
- His first full-time coaching assignment was as wide receiver coach at Colgate for four years (1999-2002).
- The Raiders shared the 2002 Patriot League title, posting a 9-3 overall record and a 6-1 league mark. Colgate led the Patriot League that season in total offense, averaging 392.5 yards per game, including 215 yards a game passing.
- In 1999, Colgate won the Patriot League title and reached the Division I-AA playoffs.
- West began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at West Virginia from 1997-98.
- He worked with the defense and was part of the staff that helped the Mountaineers earn invitations to the Carquest and Insight.com bowls.
- A standout player at Kecoughtan High School (Va.), West earned All-CIAA honors as a wide receiver at Livingstone College. He received his bachelor’s degree in computer information systems from Livingstone in 1993 and earned a master’s degree in physical education from West Virginia in 1999.
- West, a Hampton, Va. native, and his wife, Patrice, are the parents of five children – Zoe, David, Gwen, Justin and Jada.
| Season | Bowl Game | Opponent | Result |
| 2022 | Pinstripe Bowl (Syracuse) | Minnesota | L, 20-28 |
| 2019 | Gasparilla Bowl (Marshall) | UCF | L, 48-25 |
| 2011 | Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl (Virginia) | Auburn | L, 43-24 |
| 2006 | FCS Playoffs - First Round (James Madison) | Youngstown St. | L, 35-31 |
| 2004 | Division I-AA Playoffs - Championship (James Madison) | Montana | W, 31-21 |
| 2004 | Division I-AA Playoffs - Semifinal (James Madison) | William & Mary | W, 48-34 |
| 2004 | Division I-AA Playoffs - Quarterfinal (James Madison) | Furman | W, 14-13 |
| 2004 | Division I-AA Playoffs - First Round (James Madison) | Lehigh | W, 14-13 |
| 1999 | Division I-AA Playoffs - First Round (Colgate) | Illinois State | L, 56-13 |
| 1998 | Insight.com Bowl | West Virginia | L, 31-34 |
| 1997 | Carquest Bowl | West Virginia | L, 35-30 |
Coaching History
| Seasons | School/Team | Title/Position Coached |
| 2023-Present | Wake Forest | Cornerbacks |
| 2020-22 | Syracuse | Cornerbacks |
| 2019 | Marshall | Cornerbacks |
| 2018 | Charlotte | Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks |
| 2017 | Howard | Co-Defensive Coordinator/Cornerbacks/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2013-15 | Virginia | Cornerbacks/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2010-12 | Virginia | Cornerbacks |
| 2007-09 | Old Dominion | Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Backs/Recruiting Coordinator |
| 2004-06 | James Madison | Defensive Backs |
| 2003 | Fordham | Defensive Backs |
| 1999-02 | Colgate | Wide Receivers |
| 1997-98 | West Virginia | Graduate Assistant |
NFL Players (Round Drafted)
- CB Caelen Carson (5th) - Wake Forest '24 - Dallas Cowboys
- CB Garrett Williams (3rd) - Syracuse '23 - Arizona Cardinals
- CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (3rd) - Syracuse ‘21 - Detroit Lions
- CB Chris Jackson (7th) - Marshall ‘20 - Tennessee Titans
- CB Maurice Canady (6th) - Virginia ‘16 - Baltimore Ravens
- CB Chase Minnifield (UDFA) - Virginia ‘12 - Washington Commanders
- CB Ras-I Dowling (2nd) - Virginia ‘11 - New England Patriots
- CB Charles Fisher (2nd) - West Virginia ‘99 - Cincinnati Bengals
- Hometown: Hampton, Va.
- Alma Mater: 1993 - Bachelor’s degree from Livingstone
- Wife: Patrice
- Children: sons David and Justin; daughters Zoe, Gwen and Jada
Wake Forest Football 2025 Week Two Trailer
Friday, September 05
Football Media Availability (9/3/25)
Wednesday, September 03
Football Media Availability (9/2/25)
Tuesday, September 02
Coach Jake Dickert Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 1, 2025)
Monday, September 01
