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Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Zac Alley is close to being named the next defensive coordinator at West Virginia, according to a report.
That’s per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who notes that Alley previously worked for new West Virginia head coach Rich Rodriguez at Jacksonville State. Rodriguez was named WVU’s head coach earlier this month, replacing Neal Brown.
Alley spent 1 season at Oklahoma as Brent Venables brought him to Norman ahead of the 2024 season to replace Ted Roof, who served in that role for the Sooners during the first 2 years of the Venables era. Alley previously worked under Venables as a student assistant and graduate assistant at Clemson during the early part of his coaching career.
Although Oklahoma suffered through a difficult season overall, its defense performed well for much of the season. OU allowed 4.94 yards per play this season, which ranked 25th nationally.
Oklahoma’s other co-defensive coordinator for the 2024 season was Todd Bates, who also serves as the program’s defensive tackles coach. Venables, of course, also has a significant role in game-planning OU’s defense on a week-to-week basis.
Zac Alley’s reported move to West Virginia means Oklahoma will be changing both coordinators for a second consecutive offseason. On the offensive side of the ball, OU has already hired Ben Arbuckle away from Washington State to run the show on that side of the ball.
Alley’s departure from Oklahoma has not yet been confirmed by the program as of publication.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
