Zac Alley has officially left his position as co-defensive coordinator at Oklahoma after just one season to take on the same role at West Virginia University, reuniting with former mentor Rich Rodriguez. This move, confirmed by multiple sources including ESPN, marks yet another offseason transition for the Sooners as they seek to rebuild their coaching staff.
Alley, who joined Oklahoma's coaching team under head coach Brent Venables at the start of 2024, has made significant contributions to the program. His defense was instrumental throughout the 2024 season, holding opponents to fewer than 21 points per game on average. Despite this strong performance, the Sooners ended the regular season with a disappointing 6-7 record, culminating in a narrow loss to Navy during the Armed Forces Bowl.
During the postgame interviews following the bowl game, Alley was asked about his future, amid swirling speculation linking him to West Virginia's defensive coordinator position. "Every year, there's going to be something... but I'm just excited about our team," Alley stated, generating curiosity as to whether he would remain at Oklahoma or pursue new opportunities.
Just over 24 hours later, news broke confirming Alley's departure to Morgantown, where he will again work alongside Rodriguez, for whom he had previously served as defensive coordinator at Jacksonville State from 2022 to 2023. The decision to leave Oklahoma was not taken lightly; Alley built strong ties within the program, calling Venables, his original mentor, his second father.
Alley's impressive tenure at Oklahoma included significant success on the field. The team finished the season ranked among the top defenses nationally, particularly lauded for their run defense, which gave up only 105.8 yards per game. The improvement was evident, with defensive stats showing the Sooners allowing significantly fewer passing yards than the previous year, aided by new strategies Alley implemented.
Particularly noteworthy was Alley’s ability to guide standout players, such as junior defensive end R Mason Thomas, who achieved nine sacks, and senior linebacker Danny Stutsman, recognized as both an All-SEC performer and Butkus Award finalist. Alley's coaching prowess clearly had a positive impact on the unit's performance.
Now at West Virginia, Alley will have the autonomy to oversee the defense—an aspect he didn't have under Venables during his time at Oklahoma. The Mountaineers are aiming to improve their own defensive struggles, and Alley’s track record suggests he may be the right candidate for this rebuilding task. Reports indicate Alley will finalize his contract with West Virginia, which is expected to be for three years.
Alley’s departure adds another layer of complexity for Venables and the Sooners, who now must replace both coordinators after just one season. This is not the first significant turnover for Oklahoma, as they also lost offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby to the Mississippi State head coaching position last year. Consequently, the pressure is on Venables to secure the right talent to reinvigorate the coaching staff.
Venables now faces the challenge of filling Alley's position, with potential internally promoted candidates. James Skalski, former Clemson linebacker and Venables' protege, currently serves as a graduate assistant and is likely to be consulted for promotion, along with other current staff members who have previously held defensive coordinator roles.
With Alley's transfer to West Virginia, the college football coaching scene continues to adjust and change, making it clear to fans and analysts alike how rapidly dynamics can shift within programs. Alley's commitment to West Virginia signals not just his professional aspirations but also hints at the potential growth of the Mountaineers' defense under his guidance. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
