WVU HC Rich Rodriguez Calls Zac Alley ‘One of Top Young DCs in Country’

New WVU coach Rich Rodriguez got his man, officially hiring defensive coordinator Zac Alley away from Oklahoma on Sunday.

“Zac is one of the top young defensive coordinators in the country and has proven his ability to lead and be an innovator at different stops during his career,” Rodriguez said in a statement. “I have worked with him several seasons, and he constantly impresses me with his ability to blend schemes with his personnel and develop winning results. I look forward to him joining our staff and making an immediate impact for us.”

Alley, 30, is viewed as an up-and-coming young defensive mind and has a strong connection to Rodriguez. Alley has been serving as the co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Oklahoma this season, 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 with Rodriguez at Louisiana-Monroe. Before that, Alley spent time at Boise State and earned a couple of national championship rings as a graduate assistant with Clemson.

“I am excited to join coach Rodriguez and the West Virginia University football program,” Alley said in a statement. “I have tremendous respect for Coach Rod, as I’ve seen how he develops players and builds a program. I look forward to working with the players and doing my part to help WVU be one of the top teams in the Big 12 Conference and the nation.”

Alley is believed to be signing a three-year deal with WVU. This confirms recent rumors and speculation about Alley coming to West Virginia to work under Rodriguez again. He was also among WV Sports Now’s early favorites for the job back on Dec. 15.

For a related story, WV Sports Now’s Mike Asti conducted a live show to talk with fans about the hiring of Zac Alley on Saturday night.