It was announced on Saturday evening that West Virginia football will be adding current Oklahoma defensive coordinator Zac Alley in the same position on Rich Rodriguez's staff -- Alley previously coached for Rodriguez at Jacksonville State.
Alley is a rising star in the industry, who coached Oklahoma to a Top 20 defense at the FBS level in terms of yards allowed this past season, and has a pair of national championships to his name during his time on the staff at Clemson.
WVU fans, media members, and even players took to social media soon after the announcement to share their reaction to the news -- which many believe to be an incredible hire -- and to troll Oklahoma fans who are upset at losing Alley to what they might perceive as a "lesser program." Check out the best reactions on Twitter/X below.
https://t.co/30NpQoq2MC pic.twitter.com/ehlT5owZJH
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 28, 2024
— Hammond Russell IV (@Lildukes3) December 28, 2024
https://t.co/cyimwFw7Lu pic.twitter.com/i12afEUkLa
— In The Gun - WVU Football Podcast (@InTheGunPodcast) December 28, 2024
— Brandon Phoenix (@IAlsoHatepitt) December 28, 2024
A major hire for Rich Rod. https://t.co/B3XdSdcu7b
— Mike J. Asti (@MikeAsti11) December 28, 2024
Oklahoma fans were very confident Alley wouldn’t drop down to lowly West Virginia https://t.co/Fwz2BSzNfU
— Ethan Bock (@ethanbock_) December 28, 2024
I don’t think people realize how huge this is for Rich and his staff. An absolute home run hire for DC. We might finally have a good defense again. https://t.co/dsNsgYLGnN
— The Coal Country Podcast (@coalcountrywvu) December 28, 2024
The way you can tell that West Virginia did great work here is that Oklahoma fans aren't even trying to spin it like they didn't want him around. Straight up furious that Venables let a coach they like leave for WVU.
— The Smoking Musket (@smokingmusket) December 28, 2024
Really sad to see smaller teams like Oklahoma lose their talented assistants to big schools like West Virginia. College football needs change!
— Spage Enthusiast (@SpageEnthusiast) December 28, 2024
Call us a smaller school again bitches. https://t.co/3JW4DY8K3R
— DinkleBean the WV Fiddler (@PapaLeSmurfed) December 28, 2024
Didn’t he make a statement yesterday making it seem like he was staying at OU? 😂
— Madison (@madisonkelleyp) December 28, 2024
Oklahoma fans in shambles right now 😂
— Spot The Ball (@J_Shaw33) December 28, 2024
https://t.co/qqQEI8DpV1 pic.twitter.com/g6YvA2afuH
— Eers & Beers (@eersandbeers) December 28, 2024
WVU = BIG BOY PROGRAM https://t.co/EGRNYYf0QB
— Hot Rod (@HoldTheRopeRR) December 28, 2024
Congrats on the huge upgrade @CoachZAlley https://t.co/D52Oy83OOV
— Deuce McBride Enthusiast (@deuce_enthused) December 28, 2024
— Rob McCloud (@Mac___Rob) December 28, 2024
https://t.co/qnYhH6qrzY pic.twitter.com/MG2H1cgXib
— Jonathan Nottingham (@wvnottingham) December 28, 2024
WE DID IT https://t.co/eHRoVIyyh1
— The Smoking Musket (@smokingmusket) December 28, 2024
Quite frankly, I believe the Zac Alley hire may be the most impressive assistant hire in #wvufootball history! It also will likely be the richest contract ever for an assistant at #wvu as well, livestream coming late tonight to talk about it!
— Country Roads Webcast (Jorden) (@WVUCountryRoads) December 28, 2024
Home. Freaking. Run. https://t.co/112LQ03rrY
— Adam Crowley (@_adamcrowley) December 28, 2024
West Virginia owning Oklahoma here like it's the 2008 Fiesta Bowl. https://t.co/LEUnsdgaPq
— College Sports Superfan (@eisner_ryan) December 28, 2024