MORGANTOWN, West Virginia – Zac Alley has officially been hired as the new defensive coordinator at West Virginia University, as confirmed by multiple outlets including ESPN's Pete Thamel. This announcement marks the beginning of Alley’s pivotal role aimed at revitalizing the Mountaineers’ struggling defense.
Alley, who previously served as co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at the University of Oklahoma, will be reuniting with Rich Rodriguez, who has just commenced his second stint as head coach of West Virginia. The duo has worked together before, at both Jacksonville State and Louisiana-Monroe, where Alley flourished under Rodriguez’s guidance.
The 30-year-old coach has been praised for his defensive acumen, particularly during his time at Jacksonville State, where his unit achieved impressive rankings. His defense there ranked 33rd nationally for scoring defense, allowing just 21.2 points per game, and 43rd for total defense at 352.8 yards per game. Alley’s success did not go unnoticed, as he was sought for this key position at West Virginia.
“Every year, there’s going to be something... but I’m just excited about our team,” Alley stated after Oklahoma’s loss to Navy during the Armed Forces Bowl, indicating his previous commitment to the Sooners before finalizing the move. His contract at Oklahoma was for three years, starting at $850,000 with built-in raises, but West Virginia is reportedly set to pay him over $1 million annually, coupled with full control of the defense.
During his stint at Oklahoma, Alley made significant strides with the defense, leading the Sooners to finish 21st nationally in total defense, permitting 318.3 yards per game and ranking 34th for scoring defense at 21.6 points per game. His ability to adapt to Brent Venables’ schemes contributed to Oklahoma's successful defensive metrics.
Alley’s coaching philosophy emphasizes aggression and creating turnovers, which shapes his approach to defensive play calling. This is particularly important for West Virginia, which aims to improve after finishing the last season with one of the lowest-ranked defenses nationally. The Mountaineers are no strangers to coaching changes; Alley’s leadership is regarded as potentially transformational for the program.
A standout moment from Alley’s campaign at Jacksonville State was his defense’s formidable performance, allowing just 2.8 yards per rush, ranking fourth nationally. This strong run defense was complemented by the team’s overall success, evidenced by a 9-4 record, and included victories such as winning the New Orleans Bowl.
“His addition gives Rodriguez a strong building block for his initial coaching staff,” noted sources close to the program. Hiring Alley is viewed not just as filling the position, but as securing top talent positioned to make significant improvements.
Alley’s path to the Mountaineers is marked by notable achievements; he became the youngest defensive coordinator at the FBS level when he was appointed at UL Monroe at just 27 years old. His extensive background includes various coaching roles, from student assistant at Clemson to internships with the Carolina Panthers, allowing him to accumulate valuable experience across different levels of college football and even the NFL.
Heading to West Virginia, Alley replaces two previously ineffective defensive minds, Jordan Lesley and Jeff Koonz, and has the task of reshaping the defense, setting high expectations upon his arrival. With West Virginia fans hopeful for improvements, Rodriguez and Alley’s collaboration could very well signal the beginning of revitalization for the Mountaineers.
This hire reflects both strategic foresight and ambition, showcasing West Virginia’s commitment to returning to its glory days. The road ahead is challenging, but with the right pieces falling together, the Mountaineers' future might just see drastic improvements under Alley’s stewardship.
