Defensive coordinator Zac Alley leaving Oklahoma to take the same job at West Virginia seems on its surface like a step down. The mountains of Morgantown are pretty and all, but you don’t ditch a program like Oklahoma for the West Virginias of the world. 

But once you get past the initial shock value, Alley’s decision isn’t as dubious as it seems. 

At West Virginia, Alley will reunite with head coach Rich Rodriguez, whom Alley worked with at both Louisiana-Monroe and Jacksonville State. When Jacksonville State hired Rodriguez as head coach, Rodriguez hired Alley as his defensive coordinator. 

But Alley also worked with Brent Venables. For seven years at Clemson and one at Oklahoma. Alley’s relationship with Venables goes a lot deeper than his ties with Rodriguez. 

One big difference though. Under an offensive-minded coach like Rodriguez at West Virginia, Alley will presumably have full control of the defense. That’s something Alley never would’ve had at Oklahoma. Not with the defensive-obsessed Venables in charge. 

At OU, Alley was always going to exist in Venables’ shadow. Heck, he even talked like Venables. OU’s defense drastically improved this season, in what was Alley’s first as defensive coordinator, jumping from 79th in total defense in 2023 to 19th this season. 

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All of us, right or not, instinctively credit Venables for OU’s defensive transformation. 

At West Virginia, Alley will get all the credit or all the blame. 

And then there’s the job stability. 

Rodriguez, embarking on his second stint at West Virginia, is entering Year 1 of a five-year contract. He’s going to get at least, what, three years at his new-old job? 

Venables, meanwhile, is entering 2025 on the hot seat. He’s had a losing season in two of his three years at OU. He’s 22-17 overall and 12-14 in conference play. 

Venables could certainly turn things around, but I’d bet on Rodriguez outlasting Venables in their respective roles. 

OU is another 6-7 record away from likely cleaning house. 

Rather than risking going down with the ship, the 30-year-old Alley is starting anew in calmer waters.

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Joe Mussatto is a sports columnist for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Joe? Email him at jmussatto@oklahoman.com. Support Joe’s work and that of other Oklahoman journalists by purchasing a digital subscription today at subscribe.oklahoman.com.