West Virginia Stealing Zac Alley from Oklahoma Triggered Big Reaction

A national report supporting the rumors about Zac Alley leaving Oklahoma to join Rich Rodriguez as his defensive coordinator at WVU triggered a big reaction from both West Virginia and OU fans on Saturday night.

pic.twitter.com/5QvnmmuBo3

— Justin “Couz” Walker (@couz206) December 29, 2024

Oklahoma fans were very confident Alley wouldn’t drop down to lowly West Virginia https://t.co/Fwz2BSzNfU

— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) December 28, 2024

Never underestimate the connective tissue of college football … pic.twitter.com/WMB2JzhgoI

— Jed Drenning (@TheSignalCaller) December 29, 2024

The players reaction to this tells me everything I need to know about Zac Alley.. if you’re not with us you’re against us. #boybye

— Laney Wren (@Laneyy_Bethh) December 29, 2024

Brent Venables brings Zac Alley to a blue blood program, hands him the keys to a ready-made defense and a year in, rewards that confidence by bolting to West Virginia.

Cold.

— John Williams (@john9williams) December 28, 2024

Really sad to see smaller teams like Oklahoma lose their talented assistants to big schools like West Virginia. College football needs change!

— Spage Enthusiast (@SpageEnthusiast) December 28, 2024

Zac Alley leaving Oklahoma for WVU is a sign of how serious @RealCoachRod is about getting WVU back to national relevance. https://t.co/txH4LprN3z

— Spot the Ball (@_SpottheBall_RR) December 28, 2024

Brent Venables will be fired next season so very smart decision by Zac Alley to bail early.

— Drew Schifino (@drewfino15) December 28, 2024

Quite frankly, I believe the Zac Alley hire may be the most impressive assistant hire in #wvufootball history! It also will likely be the richest contract ever for an assistant at #wvu as well, livestream coming late tonight to talk about it!

— Country Roads Webcast (Jorden) (@WVUCountryRoads) December 28, 2024

Zac Alley leaving. SMH. We are turning into Nebraska. I'm at a loss for words. 1 more year and hopefully he is gone. GREAT defensive mind. Sorry HC.

— Denny Saylor (@denny_saylor) December 29, 2024

Zac Alley spent a year with Venables and decided he’d rather take a step down in order to hitch his wagon to Rich Rod.

Yikes.

— The Main Line Podcast (@TheMainLinePod) December 28, 2024

Welcome to rock bottom! https://t.co/AeH7t6k7hF

— Barstool Sooners (@OUBarstool) December 28, 2024

Alley jumping from a blue blood like Oklahoma to WVU also sends shockwaves to the national media and other notable figures across college football.

https://t.co/30NpQoq2MC pic.twitter.com/ehlT5owZJH

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 28, 2024

pic.twitter.com/AgGddHSPGl

— Wren Baker (@wrenbaker) December 29, 2024

What? This is insane https://t.co/2c5s027GyV

— Shehan Jeyarajah (@ShehanJeyarajah) December 29, 2024

You can look at Zac Alley leaving Oklahoma for West Virginia 1 of 2 ways.

1. Wants full control as DC. Run D his way. Rich Rod reunion, etc.

2. Sees writing on the wall in Norman/future of the program under Brent Venables.

I think it’s #1. Fans will likely jump to #2#Sooners

— TJ Eckert (@TJEckertKTUL) December 28, 2024

Wow. This is shocking news. Alley said yesterday he was coming back. And was told OU expected to finalize a deal any day. This is a massive loss for the #Sooners. https://t.co/k3UmyFBU0m

— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) December 28, 2024

Our Mike Asti even offered his own thoughts and then also conducted a live show to talk with fans about the news.

Having $5 million to spend on a staff can lead to a big time hire like stealing away Zac Alley from Oklahoma. Neal Brown only had $3.5 million for staff in his last WVU contract. This shows that an increased investment for Rich Rod can help pull off a major move.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) December 28, 2024

Also, anyone worried about the current roster, while I hear you, a coaching change was always going to create immediate chaos and uncertainty and make the spring portal window more important.

— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) December 28, 2024