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Oklahoma Defensive Coordinator Hot Board
Zach Arnett Matt Bush / USA TODAY Sports

As Oklahoma heads into the Southeastern Conference, the Sooners will start 2024 with new coordinators on both sides of the ball.

OU mutually parted ways with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Ted Roof on Thursday, pushing Brent Venables into the market for a new defensive coordinator.

Oklahoma’s on-field defensive staff remained unchanged through Venables’ first two years back in Norman, but now Roof will leave the program with one year left on his initial contract.

The Sooners now have a void at defensive coordinator and linebackers coach, one that Venables will work quickly to fill.

Brandon Hall

Brandon Hall is one of a number of internal candidates who could be in line for a promotion.

Before serving as Oklahoma’s safeties coach for the past two years, he spent three seasons as the defensive coordinator at Troy. In 2021, Troy finished ranked No. 24-nationally in total defense.

This move would need to be accompanied by a corresponding move for the Sooners to hire a linebackers coach in the wake of Roof’s departure.

Todd Bates

Similar to Hall, Todd Bates would be a popular internal elevation.

Bates served as Clemson’s defensive line coach from 2017-21 under Venables before moving to Norman to coach the interior of Oklahoma’s defensive line.

He currently holds the title of co-defensive coordinator, and Bates has been seen as a key piece to Venables’ success producing a host of NFL draft picks up front at Clemson.

Jay Valai

Another member of Oklahoma’s current coaching staff, cornerbacks coach Jay Valai is also a co-defensive coordinator for Venables.

A former All-Big Ten defensive back at Wisconsin, Valai joined OU in 2022 after previous stops at Alabama, Texas, Rutgers and with the Kansas City Chiefs.

James Skalski

If Venables goes with either Hall, Bates or Valai (or a combination as co-defensive coordinators), James Skalski could also be in line for a promotion.

Though it’s unlikely he would vault straight from defensive analyst, the role he currently serves at OU, to defensive coordinator, Skalski could be the answer as linebackers coach.

He played linebacker under Venables at Clemson for six seasons before landing in Norman as an analyst.

Zach Arnett

If Oklahoma looks outside the program, former Mississippi State defensive coordinator and head coach Zach Arnett could be an option with plenty of SEC experience.

Arnett served as the Bulldogs’ defensive coordinator and linebackers coach from 2020-22, where he then was elevated to head coach in the wake of the tragic death of college football legend Mike Leach.

In 2022, Mississippi State finished the season ranked 40th in total defense, deploying a 3-3-5 under Arnett.

Arnett was dismissed as head coach after just one season in charge, making way for former OU offensive coordinator Jeff Lebby to land in Starkville.

Zac Alley

Jacksonville State defensive coordinator Zac Alley is a rising star amongst defensive minds in college football.

Only 29 years old, Alley worked as a graduate assistant at Clemson from 2015-18 before he was hired as Boise State’s co-special teams coordinator and outside linebackers coach in 2019.

He stayed with Boise State for two seasons before he was hired as the defensive coordinator and linebackers coach at Louisiana-Monroe.

One season later, he took the same position at Jacksonville State.

The Gamecocks’ defense finished tied for 49th in total defense at the end of the regular season, allowing 361.6 yards per game. 

This article first appeared on Oklahoma Sooners on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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