Jeff Monteroso begins his 20th year as the Hilltoppers’ defensive coordinator and will also be working with the linebackers. Monteroso’s defense accumulated 66.0 tackles-for-loss, 18.0 sacks and 17 takeaways (11 interceptions and 6 fumble recoveries). The Hilltoppers returned five interceptions and one blocked punt for touchdowns. The 2023 West Liberty team ranked defensively among the NCAA D2 leaders in multiple categories including: QB Sacks (Cam Rice, 10th – 0.90/Game); blocked kicks (No. 4 – 9); and Defensive Touchdowns (No. 5 – 5).
Being named to the D2CCA and Don Hanson First Team All-American lists in 2022, Shon Stephens added his name to a lengthy list of notable athletes Monteroso has mentored on the defensive side of the ball during his time on the hilltop. Additional notable athletes coached include 2012 NCAA DII All-American Marco Ricchetti and 2010 NCAA DII All-American and WVIAC Defensive Player of the Year Clay Beeler along with WLU Hall of Famer Darren Banks, a 2008 West Liberty alum and the only 3-time first-team NAIA All-American in West Virginia Conference history.
A 1985 graduate of Occidental (Calif.) College, Monteroso had coaching stints at Sul Ross State (Texas), San Mateo (Calif.) State, East Tennessee State University, Marietta (Ohio), and Arizona Western before setting down roots on the hilltop. He earned his master’s degree from East Tennessee State in 1991.
Jeff and his wife, Dr. Cathy Monteroso, have two sons, Daniel and Michael, and a daughter, Claire. Dan played three years of Big Ten football at Purdue before returning to West Liberty as a graduate student to complete his football eligibility. An All-MEC wide receiver at WLU in 2016, Dan was also a 2-time All-American on the basketball court. A 2-time Academic All-American, he was honored as the 2017-18 NCAA Division II Academic All-American of the Year.
