In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Zac Alley is leaving the Sooners to become the defensive coordinator at West Virginia. This marks another significant departure from Brent Venables’ staff, and another offseason coordinator change.
Alley, who had a successful first season in Norman is a rising star in the coaching world. He played a crucial role in improving Oklahoma’s defense this past season. Under his guidance, the Sooners ranked 31st nationally in scoring defense. His impact was also evident in the continued development of linebacker Danny Stutsman, who emerged as a Butkus Award finalist under Alley’s tutelage.
Oklahoma seems to be a revolving door for coordinators. Less than a month ago, Venables hired Ben Arbuckle as his third offensive coordinator in three seasons. Now, he faces the challenge of finding a replacement for Alley on the defensive side of the ball. This person will be the third defensive coordinator for Venables.
This will be the second consecutive offseason where Venables has had to rebuild a significant portion of his coaching staff. Given his preference for hiring coaches with whom he has previously worked, it’s likely he will turn to a familiar face to fill the vacancy.
With the 2025 season looming as the most critical of Venables’ tenure, finding the right defensive coordinator is crucial for finding the success he desperately needs at Oklahoma. The pressure is on to assemble a strong coaching staff and ensure that the Sooners return to the level of competitiveness expected in Norman.
One potential candidate to replace Alley may already be on the staff. Current safeties coach Brandon Hall brings a wealth of experience to the table, having previously served as defensive coordinator at Jacksonville State and Troy.
During his time at Troy, Hall oversaw a defense that ranked 24th nationally in total defense in 2021. He possesses a strong understanding of defensive principles and has demonstrated the ability to develop talent.
Hall’s familiarity with Venables’ system and the Oklahoma program makes him a strong internal candidate. He has been instrumental in developing young players like Billy Bowman and Robert Spears-Jennings during his time in Norman.
Promoting Hall to defensive coordinator would also allow the Sooners to maintain some continuity on the defensive side of the ball. It would also open the door for a potential promotion of James Skalski, the former Clemson linebacker who currently serves as a defensive analyst for the Sooners, to the linebackers coach position.
While the search for a new defensive coordinator will undoubtedly be a priority for Venables, promoting from within could provide a seamless transition and maintain stability within the coaching staff. Of course, that’s going to do more than just raise a few eyebrows after the failed experiment of promoting Seth Littrell, from within, to be Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator. So, because of that, let’s take a look at some candidates from outside of the program.
One potential candidate is Wes Goodwin, the current defensive coordinator at Clemson. Goodwin has a strong connection to Venables, having worked with him previously at Clemson. While Clemson’s defense experienced a slight regression this season, Goodwin boasts an impressive resume, including a stint as a defensive analyst under Bruce Arians in the NFL.
Another intriguing option is Travis Williams, the defensive coordinator at Arkansas. Williams has transformed the Razorbacks’ defense in recent years, leading them to a significant improvement from 2023 to 2024. His experience in the SEC, including his time as a player and coach at Auburn, would be invaluable.
Bryan Brown, the co-defensive coordinator at Mississippi, is another potential candidate. Brown has a proven track record as a defensive coordinator at multiple programs, including Appalachian State, Louisville, and Cincinnati. His experience in the SEC and his ability to limit high-powered offenses, as evidenced by his unit holding Oklahoma to 20 points in 2023, while at Cincinnati, make him an attractive option.
Whoever Venables ultimately selects to lead his defense will inherit a talented roster. The Sooners return a number of key players on that side of the ball, providing a solid foundation for future success.
The safety room remains a strength, with a talented group featuring Peyton Bowen, Reggie Powers, Michael Boganowski, and Jayden Hardy. The potential return of Robert Spears-Jennings would further bolster an already impressive unit.
The linebacker corps is also well-equipped with a talented group of players, including Kobie McKinzie, Kip Lewis, Samuel Omosigho, and Jaren Kanak. This athletic and talented group has the potential to be a dominant force once again in 2025.
The defensive line presents a bit more uncertainty, depending on the NFL Draft decisions of key players like R Mason Thomas, Damonic Williams, and Gracen Halton. However, the development of young talents like David Stone, Danny Okoye, Adepoju Adebawore, Danny Okoye, and Nigel Smith provides a promising foundation for the future.
With a talented roster and a strong assistant coaching staff, the future of the Oklahoma defense remains bright. The challenge for Venables will be to effectively integrate a new coordinator who is able to seamlessly utilize this talent and build upon the progress made in 2024. That may be another reason to take a longer look at Brandon Hall.