In an unexpected turn, Oklahoma’s co-defensive coordinator, Zac Alley, has decided to leave the Sooners to accept the defensive coordinator position at West Virginia, adding to the list of significant departures from Brent Venables’ coaching staff. Alley, who had a highly successful first season in Norman, played a key role in the improvement of the Sooners’ defense during the 2024 season. Under his guidance, Oklahoma’s defense ranked 31st in the nation for scoring defense, and linebacker Danny Stutsman, a key player, emerged as a finalist for the prestigious Butkus Award.
This change is another reminder of how Oklahoma’s coaching staff has been in flux recently. Just a month ago, Venables hired Ben Arbuckle as the third offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Now, with Alley’s departure, Venables must find a new defensive coordinator for the Sooners, making it the third such change during his tenure. This will mark the second consecutive offseason where Venables is faced with the task of rebuilding a large portion of his staff, which could be a challenge for the team as they look to reach their potential.
As Venables prepares for a critical 2025 season, which is expected to be one of the most important in his tenure, selecting the right defensive coordinator is of utmost importance. The pressure is mounting to assemble a solid coaching staff that will help return the Sooners to the level of competitiveness expected at Oklahoma. Given his history of hiring coaches he’s previously worked with, Venables is likely to consider someone familiar with his system to fill the vacancy.
One strong internal candidate is Brandon Hall, the current safeties coach at Oklahoma. Hall brings a wealth of experience to the table, having previously served as the defensive coordinator at Jacksonville State and Troy. During his time at Troy, Hall helped oversee a defense that ranked 24th nationally in total defense in 2021. His familiarity with Venables’ system and the Oklahoma program makes him a highly appealing option. Promoting Hall could ensure continuity on the defensive side, allowing the Sooners to maintain stability while potentially promoting James Skalski, a former Clemson linebacker and current defensive analyst, to the position of linebackers coach.
However, following the failed promotion of Seth Littrell as offensive coordinator, promoting from within could be a contentious choice, leading to speculation about potential candidates from outside the program. One such candidate is Wes Goodwin, the current defensive coordinator at Clemson. Goodwin has worked with Venables in the past, and despite a slight regression in Clemson’s defense this season, Goodwin’s impressive resume and his experience in the NFL as a defensive analyst make him an attractive candidate.
Another external possibility is Travis Williams, the defensive coordinator at Arkansas. Williams has made a noticeable impact in improving the Razorbacks’ defense in recent years, and his experience in the SEC would be beneficial. Bryan Brown, the co-defensive coordinator at Mississippi, is also considered a strong contender. Brown has a proven track record at several programs, including Appalachian State, Louisville, and Cincinnati, and his ability to limit high-powered offenses would be valuable at Oklahoma.
Whoever is chosen to lead Oklahoma’s defense will inherit a talented roster. The Sooners return key players like Peyton Bowen, Reggie Powers, Michael Boganowski, and Jayden Hardy in the safety room, with the potential return of Robert Spears-Jennings adding further strength. The linebacker corps features talented athletes like Kobie McKinzie, Kip Lewis, Samuel Omosigho, and Jaren Kanak, who have the potential to be a dominant force. The defensive line, though a bit uncertain with the NFL Draft decisions of key players such as R Mason Thomas and Damonic Williams, also boasts young talent in David Stone, Danny Okoye, Adepoju Adebawore, and Nigel Smith.
With this promising foundation, Venables faces the crucial task of finding a defensive coordinator who can maximize the potential of these players, ensuring that the progress made in 2024 is built upon. This may make Brandon Hall, an internal candidate with knowledge of the system, the ideal choice for the job.
