Ken Ruinard / staff / USA TODAY NETWORK

Brent Venables finally confirms role for new hire of former ACC defensive coordinator on Oklahoma's staff

Originally posted on A to Z Sports | By AJ Schulte | Last updated Mar 5, 2025 4:46 PM ET

The Oklahoma Sooners had to scramble after their bowl game to rebuild their staff when former defensive coordinator Zac Alley bolted in the middle of the night to take the same job at West Virginia.

Part of that rebuild was the addition of two new coaches from across the country to Oklahoma's staff. One of those additions was already confirmed in role, as the Sooners announced former Utah State defensive coordinator Nate Dreiling as their linebackers coach in January.

The Sooners also revealed that former Clemson defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin was hired alongside Dreiling, but his role was left undefined and hidden as a vague analyst/assistant coach. In his Wednesday morning press conference, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables confirmed what Goodwin's role with the staff will be.

Venables says he tried to Wes Goodwin when he first arrived at OU. Says Goodwin will specifically work with the cheetahs. #Sooners
— George Stoia III (@GeorgeStoia) March 5, 2025

Goodwin will work with the CHEETAH position for the Sooners. Previously, he was Clemson's linebackers coach and served as an analyst for the Tigers when Brent Venables was their defensive coordinator.

If you are unfamiliar with what the "Cheetah" role is for the Sooners, it's a hybrid linebacker/defensive back role with a dizzying array of responsibilities. Cheetah serves as an additional player in the box to help shore up the run defense, but will also drop into coverage, mainly in the slot. Think of it as having a third safety on the field.

Last season, Kendal Dolby was Oklahoma's starting Cheetah and returns to take that role once again in 2025. Who is behind him is unclear right now, but the Sooners have plenty of options in players like Kendal Daniels, Samuel Omosigho, and perhaps a younger player like Reggie Powers III or Michael Boganowski could get involved as well.

This will also be the first time Oklahoma has had a coach specifically dedicated to this position under Brent Venables. Adding more trusted coaches dedicated to each room is a smart move, in my opinion, and should help maximize what is already a talented roster.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: