Zac Alley Leaving Oklahoma to Become Rich Rodriguez’s DC at West Virginia

It appears Rich Rodriguez has locked up his first major hire for his new staff at WVU. Zac Alley is leaving Oklahoma to become West Virginia’s defensive coordinator, per a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel on Saturday night.

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.

Alley was asked about his future following the Sooners’ 21-20 Armed Forces Bowl loss to Navy on Friday.

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 has a connection to Rodriguez.

Alley has been serving 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.