Oklahoma DC Zac Alley Responds to West Virginia Rumors

With speculation mounting that Oklahoma defensive coordinator Zac Alley is headed to West Virginia to work under Rich Rodriguez, he was asked about his future following the Sooners’ 21-20 Armed Forces Bowl loss to Navy.

Below is what Alley had to say during a postgame radio spot.

“Every year, there’s going to be something that comes up with jobs and whatnot, man, but I’m just excited about our team,” said Alley.

“I think coming back next season, we’re going to have a great opportunity to be successful, be a top defense in the country, and hopefully, we got some young guys who can come along to help us do that.”

Alley, 30, is viewed as an up and coming young defensive mind and he has a connection to Rodriguez.

WV Sports Now listed Alley is one of WVU’s top candidates weeks ago.

Alley currently serves as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma, a position he owes to his time working under Rodriguez at Jacksonville State.

Prior to joining the Sooners in 2024, Alley spent the 2022 and 2023 seasons with Rodriguez and the Gamecocks as defensive coordinator. He’s also worked at Louisiana-Monroe, again with Rodriguez, and Boise State as well as earned a couple national championship rings as a graduate assistant with Clemson.

Rodriguez made it clear he’s being provided enough money to hire “a really good one” when talking about his defensive coordinator during his introductory press conference.

For a related story, WVU legend Pat White makes his case for a spot on Rodriguez’s coaching staff.